Stage 21 - Étampes to Paris Champs-Élysées (89 miles)
Awoke at 7am this final morning, strange feeling really that today is the last leg in this long journey for me.
Lots of flat and monotonously boring riding on the roads towards Paris gave me time to reflect a little on the past 3 weeks, the highs and lows of the ride, both of which fell into that final climb up the Alpe at the end of what will remain with me as the hardest day cycling I have ever done and probably will ever do.
As we neared the outskirts of Paris I had to negotiate the two final categorised climbs (Cat 4) out of a total of 56 throughout the tour. Then came the arduous task of going through the suburbs and into the city.
I had to split from the team and navigate my own way onto the Champs Elysees asking people on route for directions. Meanwhile the team had to face thir own challenge of negotiating the motorhome through the mayhem and chaos that was taking place around them. As much as they tried they were unable to find anywhere to park (all underground car parks with height restrictions) and as such were circling the city awaiting my call!
I crossed the Place de la Concorde and onto the Champs Elysees at the far end, and I could see L’Arc de Triomphe - but before reaching that I had to cycle at least ‘one lap’ of this famous street. I pondered along the edge of the cobbles trying to imagine what it would be like to be racing on a closed road on the final day of the tour with all the ceremony surrounding it. Instead I was on my lonesome on a crazy manic road where hundreds of cars were jostling for position with lunatics on scooters obviously with a death wish.
I decided to end my tour at L’Arc de Triomphe as doing more than one circuit of the Champs Elysees was tempting fate.
As I reached the Arc I saw Pete Wood and his wife Janet who had kindly come over to meet me and photograph the finish.
After 2223 miles I now had to cross a six lane free for all roundabout to get to my finish and almost got squashed at the final hurdle.
At 3pm on Friday 12th September, I finished the longest, hardest cycle ride of my life. Fortunately, Jilly abandoned ship and managed to join me for Peter to take a few photos of us at L’Arc de Triomphe whilst the guys were double parked. We then had to jump on board the motorhome and head out of the city and find a small town to celebrate with a beer before heading to Caen for the ferry in the morning.
Thanks to everyone who has supported my challenge both beforehand and the many texts and phonecalls that Jilly and I have received during the ride. They have been greatly appreciated and helped me through some tough times. Thanks very much also to Steve who kindly set up this website for me - this has allowed us to maintain contact with friends and family.
Special thanks to Stuart and Mark who have been with me from start to finish, looking after me and catering for my every need - Stuart provided excellent nutritional advice and professional massages every day to keep my legs going, and to Mark for maintaining my bike and generally being the ‘man who can fix anything’. They both provided encouragement when I needed it and the trip, I know, has been a challenge for them at times too. A massive thanks to my wife Jilly, who not only was the third member of my support team for two of the three weeks, providing gourmet meals in a kitchen the size of a postage stamp, adding that well needed touch of glamour and helped us all de-stress. But she also ran up and down the mountains on many occassions in true tour style, shouting at me as I passed. She has also endured me talking about this challenge everyday for the past six months prior to even setting off …. She’s glad it’s over… and so am I !
NOW LET’S PARTY ………. For those of you coming to the Auction Night on the 26th September, get your glad rags out and prepare for a great night of fun and fundraising to reach our target and the whole purpose of this challenge !
September 14th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Well done Ian - I never doubted you would achieve this from the first time I met you. You showed such dedication and incredible enthusiasm to ensure the young people at Alex House are given the opportunity to experience the joys of cycling.
All the staff and kids at Alex say a huge THANK YOU and we will see you soon.
Joanne and everyone at Alex House
September 15th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Jonno and team Well Done. Fantastic achievement.
I dont who was the bravest? You climbing the miles of mountain roads or the team,trying to get you out of the camper bed for another early start.
Looking forward to the stories. All of them, including when you got your grumpy head on.
Well done mate. Cheers Dave.