David Foley cycled from London to Paris between Wednesday 14th and Saturday 17th September 2011 in memory of his son Nolan Foley and he has so far raised £3,745.00.
“My ride from London to Paris was a doubled edged event for me. A practical fund raiser to thank CRY for the help they have given my family since loosing my son Nolan Foley in 2008. The other to commemorate my son’s life, and work through my grief with a positive action.
I entered the event on my own. The other 111 riders all had their causes but we all shared a common attitude, so before a pedal was turned I was chatting and feeling part of a group.
The first day was long. Registration and briefing at 6am. The ride starting at 7am from Crystal Palace. The route to Dover was fully sign posted, with official water stops morning and afternoon, and a buffet style lunch stop at 55 miles. It’s a 95 mile ride, which is more than I had ridden in one day before. It was demanding, with the worst hills all in the last 25 miles. Everyone made it to Dover by the required time of 4.30pm. The ferry section took some time (another chance to meet others), followed by a slow 40 minute ride to the hotel in Calais . That day finished at about 10pm. With that section under the belt, although weary, I felt the toughest day was behind me.
Days 2 and 3 were similar, covering close to75 miles each day. All via low traffic country roads, passing through small villages (each seemed to have a pretty church or town hall to admire) with historical content. There were still many hills to climb, and often the riding was difficult, as you carry the previous day’s weariness in your body. On these days an early breakfast and briefing got me on the road by 8am. I was able to reach the next destination by 5pm, so there was some evening down time to sit and drink a coffee; chat with others about the days ride, and about each person’s charity and motivations for the ride.
The stop over’s were Abbeville and Beauvais . The ride from Beauvais into Paris is just about 55 miles. Hence the 4th day become’s somewhat easier. The surroundings changed to suburban traffic. The final stretch was along the banks of the Seine . The last few miles being in convoy. The whole party guided and “escorted” through the Saturday Paris traffic by the support vans. The Eiffel tower was reached at the pre-determined 4pm slot, with friends and relatives cheering people home.
It was a challenge that I am so glad I was able to engage in, and I achieved the personal thinking time away from life’s “busyness” that I wanted. I did prepare for the event as best I could, only having weekends to train, and by doing other organised events of 50-75 mile distances. I am not a cyclist historically. ”
David Foley
