Day 6 – Evreux to Paris

The end…?

We both got up at 4am today to leave at 5am with the Battle Back team.  It meant 45 minutes cycling in the dark but the feeling of excitement and knowing we were going to reach Paris today meant everyone was buzzing.

We had 18 miles before the first water stop and then another 16 miles before the second water stop.  The countryside was very rolling with a few harder hills which made cycling a bit trickier but with the end in sight and watching the guys on handbikes face the challenge undaunted, noone complained.

Lunch was a very welcome break before the final decend into Paris and having cycled around 50 miles that morning Paris was in our sights and the 13 miles into the city seemed very doable!

After lunch a few of the cyclists held back to ride zwith the Battle Back Team into Paris with ‘Team Grim’ (experienced riders) acting as outriders for the handbikes to protect them from the Parisien city traffic.

The (comparatively) short journey from lunch seemed to fly by and with only a couple of minor near misses by cars/mopeds we arrived at the Trocadero to great cheers from the support team and the cyclists who had arrived already.  The cheers were so loud as the Battle Back and Operation Comfrot teams arrived.  We’d all done the journey together and those on upright bikes found it a challenge but seeing the way these guys had pushed themselves up those hills and the team spirit supporting each other was extremely emotional for everyone.

Whilst we were gathered at the Trocadero, Bryn & Emma called us all round to announce the hugely exciting news that we’d reached the £100m mark!  A fantastic feeling for all of us to know we’d been a small part of that & thank you to everyone back home who helped us get there!

Our next stop was at the Arc De Triomphe where we were going to have our final wreath laying ceremony.  As we waited the heavens opened and we were stuck in a torrential downpour but it didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits dispite the fact we were now soaked to the skin and everyone was laughing about it – it will certainly make the end of the bike ride even more memorable!

From here we got back on our bikes and were led by the Battle Back and Operation Comfrot wounded to our finish line a short ride away at the Eiffel Tower.  The roads were blocked off by the French Police (much to the annoyance to the Parisien rush hour traffic!) and the sight of 300 cyclists riding through the streets of Paris, all in the same BBBR tops was an incredible sight!

We lined up for the group photo in front of the tower and the popping of champagne corks could be heard all around.  What an end to a a challenging, emotional, awe-inspiring and hugely fun week.  The two of us would like to say it was a pleasure to get to know you as well as seeing familiar faces from previous rides, we hope everyone enjoyed it as much as we did and we’ll see you back in lycra soon!

WELL DONE EVERYONE!!

Rosie & Jess xx

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Day 5 – Lisieux to Evreux

A less hilly one…(or so we thought)

Another early start and a rather more subdued group of cyclists set off from their hotels, many feeling the effects of the previous days cycling. Although spirits were raised by the mass of fancy dress outfits, from Leprechauns to 118 characters! It was a lovely sunny day and most of us had to cycle back down the hill we’d struggled up the night before. The first undulation approached very quickly which was a cheeky surprise so early in the morning. It was an 18 mile cycle to the first water stop where everyone stocked up on warm drinks and cereal bars before being treated to an awesome display by the France Parachute Display Team. We had some VIP guests who arrived shortly after the parachute display, Anne Ponsonby, Emma Parry’s mother who had been a Special Operations Executive during the war, Tanis Szabo whose mother had been in the French Resistance and 2 FANYs who explained the role their Corps has played in the past century. It was a really interesting and, at times, moving talk from all of them, bring to light the crucial role played by so many women during WW2. A huge thanks should go to Unity Aviation for the use of the aircraft & DO Systems for paying for them to fly in.

During lunch some of the Battle Back & Operation Comfort teams told their stories about how they were injured – Nathan Cumberland explained, “I’ll keep this short & snappy, I was part of the British Diving Team and my legs were bitten off by a shark.” It was a very light hearted moment but the guys were so humble, and with one leg between 4 of them, it highlighted that they all had a long journey ahead of them on their road to recovery.

Back to the bikes it was another 35 (long) miles back to the hotel with a water stop in between. It was pretty good cycling with more rolling French countryside taking us up (not so good) and down (so enjoyable!) getting closer to our hotels in Evreux and a good night’s rest. Everyone we’ve talked to can’t really believe that tomorrow we will be arriving in Paris. It seems to have gone too quickly but we are all looking forward to tomorrow – though there have been warnings about some of the slightly crazy French driving in their capital!

We’ve both decided that we will get up earlier than the other cyclists tomorrow to do the final day with the Battle Back guys who are leaving at 0500, it should be the best way to finish the trip; with the guys who have inspired us all.

So until tomorrow,

Rosie and Jess xx

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Day 4 – Caen to Lisieux

The hilly one!

The longest and hilliest day of the bike ride was met with usual enthusiasm and smile from the cyclists. We set off from 7am knowing we had 15 miles to go before the first stop at a Canadian Cemetery. It was really beautiful approaching this memorial in the area where so many lost their lives, bathed in the early morning sunlight.

Once refreshed we set off again for the next stop at the top of Falaise (another very steep hill) – meaning we’d covered 30 miles in the first few hours of the morning. There were a few hills to keep us on our toes but everyone made it to the second stop without too much trouble. It was quite a windy morning but the sun coming out kept everyone in good spirits. At the top of Falaise, Uncle John was on hand to tell everybody the important role this hilltop city played in the last year of the war. Jo from the Challenges team told us that as she drove out of Falaise, she noticed a woman flashing her lights madly behind her so pulled over. The woman said that she was so in awe of the charity and excited to see and us the Battle Backers that she wanted to make a donation and promptly handed over 20 euros – amazing!

Back on the bikes to crack out 19 miles before our lunch-stop, we knew this would be hilly and Discover Adventure didn’t let us down! We were able to work up a considerable appetite on the long gradient as we climbed to the top of a hill to lunch at a Polish memorial.

Here Tim Pritchard-Barrett was on hand to talk about the incredibly brave resilience of the brave soldiers who held this hilltop position as the Germans retreated and the US & Canadians advanced in the valley below. We were also offered the chance to have a quick go on some of the handbikes so we could get an understanding of what the guys face on a daily basis. I (Rosie!) had a go and it’s certainly hard. I think those who were able to experience it have an new found respect for them, I certainly couldn’t do it.

Once everyone had eaten, a wreath laying ceremony was held. It was particularly poignant because the wreaths were laid by the parents, sister and Battery Commander of Matthew Hatton who was killed in Afghanistan last year. The connection between the family and Matthew’s Battery Commander had only been established minutes before by complete coincidence. As we headed back to our bikes the group were still very solemn.

The mood lifted quickly though as we cycled on, passing many of the Battle Backers on their hand bikes. Dave Benfield, a para, has a radio playing from his reclining bike pumping out some great tunes to help everyone along and passing him was really uplifting.

The afternoon was about 30 miles to the hotels, mainly of rolling countryside which was lovely but there was one awful hill which just kept on giving, you could hear everyone’s gears cranking as they went into the easiest ones possible. Though there’s just no complaining when you see these guys going up the horrible hills on their hand bikes, it was very warm and was really tough going for them. The afternoon was broken up by a waterstop after about 16 miles and then there was another 14 miles to get to Lisieux where we are staying for the night. As we got to the town, a pub had been chosen by some of the quicker cyclist and there were lots of people enjoying a breather and a beer. It was a great atmosphere because we knew we didn’t have much further to go and the hardest day was almost over…

…but Discover Adventure didn’t let us relax quite so quickly! For some of us, there was a killer hill to two of the hotels, quite possibly the hardest hill we will experience but it was conquered by all and the sense of achievement has created a real buzz in our hotel tonight.

I think everyone deserves a massive pat on the back and Jess and I would like to say a huge well done to all of you – a fantastic effort and you should all be feeling hugely proud of yourselves.

Sleep well!

Rosie and Jess xx

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Day 3 – Bayeux to Caen

We left the hotels at 7.30am before a gentle 8miles to the town of Arromanches where we cycled to the cliff top, overlooking Gold Beach which is where the British came ashore during Operation Overlord.

We gathered at the top of the cliff where first Dudley Giles (Battlefield Guide) talked through what happened here in 1944.  Next Bryn’s Uncle John gave a capturing talk about his memories of being a Battlefield Casualty Replacement in the days following D-Day.

We were piped straight down to the beach from where the bikes were left and Philip Trousdell told us more about Mulberry Harbours which created an artificial port around the town establishing a bridgehead which meant the Allies could bring in supplies and troops sustaining the eventual liberation.

Next the Pedalling Padre gave a talk and a very moving ceremony was held to remember those fallen at the time, as well as the recent news of the death of a soldier in Afghanistan, before a flypast by a Dakota.

We were then split into two groups visiting the Arromanches Museum and the 360 cinema showing a montage of contemporary and archive video footage of the time.  The cinema experience was extremely powerful and a more sombre & thoughtful group reunited at lunch.

After a delicious lunch from Extreme Catering, the riders slowly departed for the next 30 miles of rolling French countryside and a few Battlefield Guide stops before arriving at Pegasus Bridge.

Here we had a bit of time to wind down with many of the cyclists enjoying a beer (or two).  Tim Pritchard-Barrett gave a talk about the taking of Pegasus Bridge by the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.  After an interesting talk from Madame Gondree it was back on the bikes for the final push to the hotels.  We are split between four hotels tonight so cyclists peeled off at various points. We are in the Kyriad tonight, the furthest out (though we hope that this means a cutting off a couple of miles tomorrow!). During the meal, some members of the War Research Society organised a raffle for Help for Heroes, the main prize being a bottle of whisky, and brought us closer to the £100m by raising £1300 which they will double – thank you everyone!

The mood is good tonight, possibly a result of Mme Gondree’s hospitality, but there is definitely an element of trepidation about what tomorrow holds. We think the weather will hold off, it still hasn’t rained yet, but as we head towards the Falaise Gap, the undulations will become very pronounced and it’ll be the longest distance covered yet; at least 80 miles. We are all in it together though and that really does spur everyone on.

So until tomorrow, good night!

Rosie and Jess xx

Overheard in the saddle:

Linda Walton & Jenny Mears: “Do you think we should try and get seats at the front?” (Whilst in the 360 cinema – waaahh!)

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Day 2 – Le Harve to Bayeux

“The soldiers graves are the greatest preachers of peace” – Albert Schweitzer

Some gentle inclines…

We docked at Le Harve early this morning and after a full English breakfast (and only a few hours’ kip for some) we boarded coaches to the town of Ste Mere Eglise where we would begin the day’s ride.

The town was a hive of activity when we arrived and our first port of call was a wreath laying ceremony on the town square. A packed lunch was provided then it was time to be reunited with our bikes after packing them up in Portsmouth.

The ride out of Ste Mere Eglise took us on a relaxed 21 mile cycle, to La Cambe where we visited a German war cemetery and held a small ceremony of remembrance. During D-Day and the ensuing battles in Normandy, the American grave service created a temporary cemetery for their own and the German fallen, adjacent to the town of La Cambe. After 1945 the Americans transferred their dead to another site to initially provide a final resting place for 8,500 German dead. Today, more than 21,222 are buried here, making it the largest German cemetery in Normandy.

Back in the saddle, it was a 15 mile ride, a few more undulations later and a ride along the beautiful Normandy coast line when we arrived at the American Cemetery a short distance from Omaha Beach where the Americans landed back in 1944. It’s also where the film Saving Private Ryan began and ended. Here we held a very moving ceremony to remember the US fallen, the wounded US Operation Comfort team laid a wreath and we were surprised by a flypast of two USAF Hercules C-130’s. It was quite emotional to see so many people, some 250 riders and members of the public, remembering those who had made the ultimate sacrifice.

A final 8 miles back to the hotel, a quick shower and downstairs to the bar for a well deserved beer before dinner.

Today was a nice start to the bike ride, not too hard but enough for the legs to be aching this evening. The atmosphere is still buzzing and the anticipation is growing as to whether we’ll hit the £100m raised when we reach Paris!

Tummies are rumbling so until the morning…

Jess & Rosie xxx

Overheard in the saddle:

Daily quotes that shouldn’t go unnoticed…

Jim Klass, H4H Cameraman: “I went in to a cafe and asked for a coffee and came out with a glass of milk?!”

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Day 1 – Portsmouth to Le Harve

And they’re off…!

It’s 9pm now and the atmosphere is fantastic.  We’re sitting at the ferry port and the buzz is amazing.  We started gathering from around 2pm this afternoon at the historic Southwick Park.  This is where the D-Day landing was launched nearly 70 years ago. It was deeply moving to see the constructions knowing the grave decisions those in charge were having to take and the lives they were risking.

At 4pm we all gathered in the dining hall for Co-founder Bryn Parry to give a presentation before tucking in to a carb based meal which would set us up well for the 6 miles that we had to cycle to the ferry port, which included our very first ‘undulation’.

After some hearty grub we picked up our bikes and grouped on the lawn in front of Southwick House where Air Vice-Marshal, The Honourable David Murray & Alison Gregory, who was present at Southwick Park when the D-Day landings were launched which would see her brother and husband involved.  They both gave inspirational and encouraging speeches and Alison read out the Act of Remembrance which was very moving before sending us on our way.

The procession of 300 cyclists was led by the Battle Back & Operation Comfort (from the US).  This year we have the highest number of handbikes we’ve ever had on a Help for Heroes ride before.

The first undulation arrived very quickly after leaving Southwick Park, it wasn’t steep but a long gradient and for many people it was the first time they’d seen handbikes in operation – passing the guys as they slogged up the hill really was the motivation that many of us needed.

But what goes up must come down and the handbikes definitely had an advantage over most of us!

The first 6 miles were not without incident though, with at least 6 punctures spotted.

Cycling through Portsmouth we passed a few pubs where a few people took advantage of the ‘water stops’ – including H4H Warehouse Manager Brian – setting the pace for the forthcoming week.

The day was made even more exciting with camera crews from Sky News and BBC News who were there filming as we began the ride.  This ride is expected to become part of the charity’s history as we cross that finish line in Paris we’re hoping to cross the milestone of £100m raised since Help for Heroes began in October 2007.  If you would like to help us get there you can do so here www.bmycharity.com/bbbr11

The tannoy is calling boarding so until tomorrow…

Rosie & Jess xx

Definitions

‘Undulations’ – a really big hill!

Overheard in the saddle

Daily quotes that shouldn’t go unnoticed…

To kick start the week, one from our comms team…

Jess Baker: “I really don’t think I like all this bike malarkey!” (before even getting in the saddle!)

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