The first day of any long endurance bike ride is always stressful. Worrying about the route, the team and the logistics of a day where there is real time pressure to make the ferry crossing. So I was awake at 04.00hrs. The team having only all met each other properly last night were all up early and raring to go. By 6.30 it was busy around the van with people storing bags and filling water bottles, inflating tyres and generally having what is lovingly referred to as a 'bike faff'.
We stayed the night in Greenwich. For various reasons our start location was changed from Leicester Square at short notice and the Mercure London Greenwich hotel was base camp for the night. It's a new hotel built in an old police section house. It clearly had an influence as the team all reported for duty as requested and after a great breakfast we set off for day 1. A feeling of excitement and trepidation rolled through the peloton but a gentle start taking in a lap of the Cutry Sark and the Greenwich observatory allowed us all to relax and calm any nerves. Team shirts were out in force and we met a fellow cyclist who was happy to take a group shot for us.
Leaving London behind we weaved our way through the suburbs passing the start that had hosted the London marathon last week. 20 miles seemed to disappear rapidly beneath our wheels and soon we were in Gravesend for a quick coffee and for Elliott and ice cream
We politely declined the massive rainbow cake but it did look pretty amazing.
Lunch was to be at 54 miles so we continued east from Gravsend passing through Strood and Rochester. In the harbour we caught sight of the submarine which is now a permanent resident in the harbour.
Rochester is such a pretty little town with cobbled streets and beamed shop fronts. Today it was somewhat busier than normal with seemingly hundreds of 'sweeps'. The annual sweep festival was in full flow. As far as I can see it seems to be chimney sweeps Morris dancing.
So onwards though some of the less glamorous parts of Kent which shall remain nameless but lie between Rochester and Faversham. The locals didn't appear too enthused to see us with several vocalising their opinions or demonstrating them with non verbal behaviour involving a motor car.
Having safely manoeuvred our way to Faversham we pushed on to Graveney and the delight that is 'The Freewheel' a cyclists pub and bike workshop! For a cycling evangelist it doesn't get much better than that when you are looking for entertainment. Adrian and his team could not have been more hospitable and we were warmly welcomed to a lunchtime spread that any cyclist would be envious of. Local cheeses and breads with other delicious nibbles. I think 'The Freewheel' will be a roaring success. Thank you Adrian & crew. All the best with the official opening on Monday (they opened especially for us!)
Leaving The Freewheel somewhat earlier than we would have all liked we retraced our route for a mile or so and then headed further south through the Kent downs area of outstanding natural beauty. The rolling hills demanded more from our legs and every member of the team stepped up and rode on determined to meet our destination at Dover for the scheduled time of 17.00hrs
The puncture gods were on our side today and despite a tired team the hills were ticked off the elevation profile and we joined national cycle route 16 for the last few miles into Dover.
Eventually the sight of Dover castle signalled our arrival. Simon and Jill were happy to pose for a photo.
There is something quite special about riding to a port and onto a ferry by bike. I don't know what but it's somehow much more satisfying than arrival by car.
With memories of smoking land rovers (that's a long and other story see
Dome to Rome day 1) we checked in without problems and soon were aboard the ferry securing our bikes and finding some well earned hot food.
While some started their recovery with a pint of 'carbs' (doesn't work that way boys sorry) others took an opportunity to stretch out tight muscles and start preparation for day 2.
We arrived into Dunkerque at dusk and rode another easy flat 10 miles to our hotel. Just time for a late bath and bed. Jill my room mate for the week is already snoring and so should I be so its time to sign off for the night.
Great to see our current donation total just under £4000. It makes the hard bits easier to think of the outcome of the fundraising. Thanks one and all for your donations. They help in many different ways. So to bed and day 2 tomorrow. A day full of history and brave warriers of war and cycling.
Ps I make no apology for typos and spelling at this hour of the morning!
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