Day 1 - 9th Spetember

Day 1 and the start fo the Adventure !!For more pictures ..... www.picasaweb.google.com/chazmassey/LondonToParisDay1

No abiltiy to download photograps at the moment !! sorrry

5.00am start is far too early !! Spent a nice evening in Oxford with my sister and her family, didnt drink too much and ate pasta until i could swallow no more. This morning Alan very kindly took the ‘rallying’ point in London. Once all the formalities were completed and I had met up with my two companion riders, Wayne and Julia, we finally set off at 7.15am.
We had certainly learnt over the last few months that a steady start was far more preferable than the ‘mad’ fast start. So inevitably off we went at a ridicules pace and after about forty five minutes felt absolutely knackered and awful, still I consoled myself with the fact we had 90 miles to go !!
The journey through the outreaches of London was certainly interesting if not picturesque, traffic was fairly light but it appears that ‘white van’ drivers never sleep so had to run the gauntlet until clear of London.
Kent was good with rolling hills and not too much traffic. An area I have never visited and certainly very 'quaint'. Plenty of Hops been grown which cant be a bad thing.
Lunch was good, that said if lunch had been bad I would have eaten it, I was very hungry after the mornings ride.
Arriving at Dover at was different, we managed to get slightly lost since the signs provided had been removed. The group we were with decided to turn left and i and 2 others decided we would try straight on. It turned out to be a great ride in to dover except we overlooked the fact that we were meant to meet and a collection point before heading to the docks. No damage done.
Ferry Crossing, Cycling on to the car deck is significantly different to driving on to the car deck, I was pleased the guy who takes your photograph was absent !! A good crossing if a little rough at times, by now I was past caring really, the day had been tough but enjoyable …. The first beer was cold and agreeable.
Hotel is good a comfortable wish i could report i'm sharing with a 25 year blonde with extremely powerful thighs !! …….. actually he name is Steve and he’s from Clethorpes …… I bet he snores. Rooms are fine and I prepare for tomorrows ride and head off to the bar.
Amazing no ailments / aches or pains. Things are looking ok for tomorrow. I have so far never cycled 95 miles followed by 80 so we will have to see.
Day 1 complete …… off to bed !! Will try and download photgraphs tomorrow when hopefully i will have more time