London2Paris.co.ukThe 2009 London to Paris Bike Ride

Next week is “Bike Week 2009″. “Bike Week is the biggest nationwide cycling event in the UK. A national celebration of cycling, Bike Week helps you get more out of life – by getting you on your bike and exploring your local community”.

There are load of cycle events happening all over the UK to celebrate Bike Week 2009 so take a look at the official website to find out something near you: http://www.bikeweek.org.uk.

Apple and I are planning to attend an event in London to get some on-road practice in, to help to keep us focused and motivated by cycling with lots of other people in formation.

Here’s some details of the one in London we’re gonna attend:

Event name:

Open Garden Squares Weekend Ride

Event date:

14th June 2009 – 10:00am – Approx 5:30pm.

Location:

Ride starts outside Marylebone station.

Distance:

Adult beginners /easy ride (Not sure on exact distances!)

Description

Use your bike to visit some of the 190+ London secret gardens specially opening to the public this weekend.

The ride is free but you will need an £8 ticket to visit the gardens. You can buy this on the day or in advance – see their website.

Participants may choose to leave or join the ride along the way.

More info on the London “Open Garden Squares Weekend Ride”

Montagu Square, London. An example of what you get to see on the way.

If anyone wants to take part in this event then let us know. You don’t need to register, you can just turn up on the day. We’re gonna take our bikes down on the train and then try enjoying a day on our bikes and a bit of sunshine too (we hope!!). Might see you there then.

This has been the toughest week so far, long hours at work, recovering from the bank holiday and the seemingly endless amounts of alchohol and burgers that were consumed and the worst of all, chronic pains in my knee which I thought I had said good riddance too…

Still training in the gym, which I realize is not the best preperation for a trip of this proportions but I have no bike, and taking this into consideration I felt that this was better for me than just simply sitting at home and exercising my fore arm whilst honing my crisp eating skills, which are, quite formidable.

So far this week I have done a total of 1 hour 20 mins on the gym bike and done a grand total of about 21 miles which isn’t that bad, but when calculated into practicing on the road, this distance will be greatly reduced….

With regards to the team there are a few nicknames to be decided on, one of the names I would like to suggest for instance is Ed ‘The Cracken’ Moore…. this is a reference to his record breaking builders crack, which has continued to grow even though Ed himself has stopped, in the middle of this century it will be somewhere near his ears…

Another is Alan ‘8 meals’ Bull, this is due to his amazing ability to be lighter than your average 4 year old but still manages to eat the equivalent weight of a Killer Whale in food everyday..

Another is Scott ‘The God’ Metcalf, due to my intelligence, wit, and never ending pearls of wisdom which are revered throughout the western world, it would be the entire world but I don’t want to be arrogant and anyway half of the eastern part don’t speak my language so would not be able to understand me, so they would just have to be content with my intense good looks instead… I know some people would think this is arrogance but its not, its truthfulness, a huge difference..

There is also Apple ‘ The Apple’ Bull, a wonderful person with a wonderful personality who continues to take the mickey out of me to hide her love for me in front of her husband…

I’m signing off now, I’m salivating about what idiotic comments I’m going to write next week already..

I don’t know what made me want to do this. But strange enough, I’m so excited about it.

But I still need to do a lot of training. When I say a lot of training, I mean a lot!

I’m the person who is not so fit, I’m very lazy when it comes to exercise so I think it’s a good excuse for me to make myself fit again after giving birth to my beautiful Alishia just 5 months ago.

I’m very excited about the fact that I will be able to say to everyone that the first time I went to Paris was by bicycle.

So bring it on!!!!

You never know one day I might decide to do London to Thailand if it can save me the money on the airfare there, ha ha ha.

So there have been lots of people saying how interested they are in completing the London to Paris bike ride in September. But as always with these highly challenging events, actually getting people to commit to doing it takes some time as there is lots to think about and consider and the reality of taking part in such a challenge can be quite overwhelming. Most will decide against doing it but there is always a few who are really up for it.

A few of us had the chance to meet up yesterday to chat a little about the trip and what equipment is needed and of course what training is needed.

So, in terms of “the team”, we now have the first 4 confirmed members and the date has been set for the London to Paris bike ride.

The team so far:

• Alan Bull
• Apple Bull
• Scott Metcalf
• Ed Moore

The date: Thursday 17th September 2009

Unfortunately, Darren Clarke was not able to confirm that he will take part in the bike ride. Although, if you do change your mind Darren, there is always room on the team for you mate!

I’m expecting a few more people to confirm over the next few days and shall post back then with details and will update The Team page shortly after!

If you’re reading this and are interested, then please let me know. The more people the better I say!