So an extremely late post given that I arrived back home one week ago. However, better late than never and the cycling trip does deserve to be recorded.
Richard and I dis about 370 Km over the 5 days- arriving on the periphery of Paris on day 4-taking the RER in to see the city – and cycling into the centre on the morning of Day 5 to have the bikes boxed up so we could take them in the Eurostar.
Before pedalling- above.
The first day involved cycling from Ealing via Richmond Park and Wimbledon to reach the Wandle river and the NCN 20. We then followed the ‘Avenue Verte’ route. The shorter option.
The first 2 hours involved trouble with Richard’s chain coming off four times into the gap between cassette and wheel. Not easy to remove and frustrating. The was some rain so the poncho came out of the packet on day 1.
The route to the south coast is a mixed affair in terms of terrain- with some bits more like a mountain bike track and parts of the route running next to the A23!
About 110 km later we reached Brighton about 18-30; 10.5 hours duration.
Brighton was a welcome site as was the curry and beers in the closest curry houser we could find.
A rapid trip to Newhaven for about another 20Km in the dark with a gale thankfully behind us meant we made the ferry with ease. The crossing however was relatively rough- as you felt the ship ‘fall’ into the troughs.
Day 2 was Dieppe to Forges Les Eaux- along mostly a cycling route that follows an old railway line. Good quality and a gradual up all the way.
The hotel was accommodating- even as we sat drinking out pre- dinner beers in the small foyer as the other guests checked-in.
Day 3 was longer and with more rain- on an off. The countryside was simple but beautiful with lovely bus stop resting spots and a useful cafe.
We arrived in Vexin-sur- Apte to our AirBnB- our chambre d’hotes. after two consecutive punctures for me. The gas cyclinder helped!
A lovely place, we very welcoming owners who cooked for us- which they do not usually do. Lovely 3 big dogs too.
The next day we reached Paris and did the tourist thing:
The final morning we joined the rush hour traffic to cycle to the centre to get the train. It was a day of national protest against the proposed changes to the national retirement scheme. Trains and buses on strike so lots of traffic and lots of cops and closed roads near the station.
Train home, navigating the Tube with boxed bikes and panniers. All part of the fun. Great trip.
