Here are some snapshots of Team Cara(m)ba in Paris!
We missed our dear team-mate Michael, as he fell over and dislocated his shoulder 35kms outside of Paris. Such a bummer :-(
Wednesday, 31 August 2011
Monday, 29 August 2011
Saturday, 27 August 2011
Friday, 26 August 2011
Thursday, 25 August 2011
Fuel for The Wings (Goddess and Wingman)
Since we started training for the L2P, I've been reading up on the proper nutrition and the right fuel for the body. We've changed our diet and avoided fried foods, started eating healthy but of course we couldn't avoid a good glass of wine (or two or three!).
This is what we had for breakfast today to fuel Stage 1 of our journey.
- Poached egg on toasted muffin
- Four fruits jam on toasted muffin
- Honey-baked Oat Granola with yoghurt & honey
- Kiwi and Lime smoothie
- Banana
In our bags will be a couple of energy gels, boiled egg and banana.
Bring on the kilometers!!!!!
Wondering...
...if I'm inviting disaster by even thinking that leaving later has the potential to backfire?
No, of course it's not going to rain. Clair (doom merchant next to me), says it's inevitable.
I say it'll be her fault now! Ha!
The Jerseys...
They have arrived.
We... like japanese car manufacturers believe Just in time methodology and as such the jerseys have arrived this afternoon at 3pm.
We leave tomorrow...
No sweat.. We weren't worried at all!
Caramba...
'Caramba'
Comes from the Spanish Interjection 'Ay' denoting (surprise or pain). How apt is that looking at the weather forecast....
Comes from the Spanish Interjection 'Ay' denoting (surprise or pain). How apt is that looking at the weather forecast....
To our readers, please show your support by.........
helping us raise money for charity!
Our journey is certainly one for the history books but we would also like to raise money for charity and we have chosen Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity as we would like to help children with have complex and difficult illnesses.
Your support and generosity will go a long long way!
Clair has created a donation page for Team Caramba and if you'd like to make a donation, you can click it here: www.justgiving.com/caramba
We thank you in advance!!!
Our journey is certainly one for the history books but we would also like to raise money for charity and we have chosen Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity as we would like to help children with have complex and difficult illnesses.
Your support and generosity will go a long long way!
Clair has created a donation page for Team Caramba and if you'd like to make a donation, you can click it here: www.justgiving.com/caramba
We thank you in advance!!!
Wednesday, 24 August 2011
Back to Map-Nerd stuff...
So, I've redone the routes one last time, if anyone wants to print directions, or try and get printed maps from these. I'll have all the info, though, so only do it for your own pleasure.
Day 1
(Not quite the London to Brighton classic route: we start closer to the middle of town, stay slightly to the east of that route through the North Downs, and, most importantly, don't go over Ditchling Beacon)
Day 2
(Seaford to Newhaven, just a couple of miles)
The even easier bit, on the boat from Newhaven to Dieppe
All along decomissioned rail track re-paved for cycling, the new "Avenue Verte"
Day 3
Starting on the Avenue Verte and then heading across apparently rolling countryside round the north of Beauvais
Day 4
More countryside to start (with a little zigging and zagging to stop getting on to major trunk roads, and to get over the Autoroutes), then a little urban stretch to St Denis and the Seine. I've not mapped from here into the middle of town - but I hope and have read that there's decent canal-side paths into La Villette and then towards the Bastille.
Two nights to go...
Checking we have everything.
Passports, spare tubes, first aid kit (Mike is around!), maps have been checked and double checked by Navigator. Still a little doubt as to which route to take into Paris as the current chosen route may be cobble stones, which means we may have to take a detour. Could mean getting a little lost on the last day.
I have accepted that taking the size of the group (17 remember) into consideration we are going to forget something. Brightspark says this is down to poor planning on our behalf, I say it is 'realism', so relax.
The weather is becoming a BIG concern. Quote from the metoffice: 'Although bright or sunny at times it will be an unsettled period with heavy showers.' Note this is weekend forecast and as such the 'showers' refer Friday and the sunny spells to Saturday.... when we are scheduled to be in France. Awesome....
Passports, spare tubes, first aid kit (Mike is around!), maps have been checked and double checked by Navigator. Still a little doubt as to which route to take into Paris as the current chosen route may be cobble stones, which means we may have to take a detour. Could mean getting a little lost on the last day.
I have accepted that taking the size of the group (17 remember) into consideration we are going to forget something. Brightspark says this is down to poor planning on our behalf, I say it is 'realism', so relax.
The weather is becoming a BIG concern. Quote from the metoffice: 'Although bright or sunny at times it will be an unsettled period with heavy showers.' Note this is weekend forecast and as such the 'showers' refer Friday and the sunny spells to Saturday.... when we are scheduled to be in France. Awesome....
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
Bright Spark (one of the three A's)
Describe yourself in three words
Thorny little seedpod
What motivated you to do this ride?
I long to recall what the actual spark of inspiration was. A cardiovascular adventure into French territory with a collection of good humour and collective wit. I think this is good prep for the Lands end to John o'Groat goal.
What book are you reading now?
I'm alternating between Graphic. and Remake It and some self help classic that I downloaded for free on my phone. All bar one have lots of pictures. What does that say about me?
What does your training regime look like?
Sporadic rides to work and home giving even love to both bikes, alternate Wednesday early 30km rides with Brendan, the occasional long haul with the crew over the weekend. With a lot of enthusiasm and intention to do more when the time presents itself. I have stopped using the elevators to the second floor and now mostly use the stairs at work. I have done a couple of triathlons this season (does that count) and have the best intentions to still join a gym nearby and commit myself to train hard for this event. I might still join the swimming league and I played softball on Tuesday.
Two weeks to go... how do you feel?
It's three nights away now - I'm slow on the blog. I feel more concerned over the logistics than the ride. I think my concerns are as such: with our minimal planning, do we have everything (kids, passports, ferry tickets, a plan). How is everyone else going to cope with the rain - has anyone looked at the weather report? It's going to bucket down. I have slicks (go fast slicks but slicks never the less). Uber sexy bike tweaked to perfection useless when wet. Has everyone got wet weather gear? Plasters? Bandages?
Rain can make the grumpier folk in our contingency grumpier and grumpiness is super contagious when clustered in males. Lost grumpy males with a soggy map are the worst of the lot and no matter how fast my super slicks are, they are no bloody good when it's raining and the Navigator has said we are supposedly riding on railway tracks. Which is in itself another concern, railway tracks? I'm not sure that I'm insured to do that kind of thing. I am sure he said railway tracks. I only half read the email because I was nodding in my practiced way in the meeting and skimming the email in that blackberry fashion accustomed to those who get it dead wrong.
I read something along the lines of railway tracks or cobbles. I am still not sure if those are our only two options and I don't know France (I am sure we have to ride on the other side of the road there and I don't know if we touched on this or if we ever covered French hand signals in any one of our preparatory discussions).
This is where at the height of contemplation I have a thought of Rob, wet in a dayglo shirt, grumpy to the power of three (perhaps cursing) with a close grumble of Michael and Brendan following Andy down the wrong side of a cobble road .... Andy wishing he had my slicks.
R aka Wingman
1 - Describe yourself in three words
A man of few words (5 words, how ironic)
2 - What motivated you to do this ride?
Whining friends, 2 liters of Rum and about 5 hours of non-stop harassment! = Motivation.
3 - What book are you reading now?
Is it out on DVD yet?
4 - What does your training regime look like?
Well, after the whining (& hangover) it started out fairly slow but am now doing 20 kms every morning with circa 60 to 70 kms on the weekend. Goddess has got me eating healthily and with the lack of disposable cash the beer intake has slowed considerably.
5 - Two weeks to go... how do you feel?
Shitting myself...
Monday, 22 August 2011
Another A - Andy
The Navigator
1 - Describe yourself in three words
Indolent, foody, optimist
2 - What motivated you to do this ride?
I feel like I've been discussing the idea of it with Amy and Michael for years, now. I've always enjoyed my cycling, and they kept doing triathlons we talked about riding a bit, and then they vaguely floated the idea of London to Paris and I got crazily enthusiastic. So when the idea got a bit more concrete, I was completely up for the ride.
My wife (Beth) and I are also planning on moving to the US shortly, and what better way to say goodbye to European summers than to do something like this?
3 - What book are you reading now?
Right now, it's Belching Out The Devil, about Coke's evil business practices, but it's really very boring and it's annoying me, and I'm going to have to have something else along for the journey.
4 - What does your training regime look like?
Training regime? I'm meant to have a training regime? Hmm. I've been tapering for the last 6 months, I think. I'm hoping my base fitness will get me through, which it should as long as nobody's trying to make record time. I play football in Regent's Park for a couple of hours on Wednesday nights, and cycle there and back which is about 15 miles in total. It's London city cycling so it's a lot more accelerate-stop-accelerate than open road riding, and therefore better training. Although there are no hills. Hills might be a problem for me. I'm also running a fair bit, between 5 and 7 km two or three times a week, and have been doing some boot-camp circuit style training on Wandsworth Common with my wife's personal trainer. But only two sessions of that.
For all that I've not done the physical exercise training, I suspect the real problem for me is going to be in the conditioning for the rest of the trip. 4 days in the saddle after not going out on any long rides is going to become quite painful in the backside, I suspect. And I am not tent-ready. I've never been the best of campers, so three consecutive nights sleeping in tents might be the limit of my endurance.
And, as one of the few on the ride who doesn't have children and is used to quiet and calm, I'm also not child-conditioned for three nights with kids around. I don't know if there is any training regime that gets you ready for that, though.
Still, it might be the thing that encourages me to get back onto the bike the next morning.
I keep trying to plan routes and map the journey - I picked up paper maps last Wednesday to add to all the digital stuff I've been doing - but I'm quite apprehensive that I haven't picked the optimum routes to avoid hills and avoid traffic (the two don't always go together, either). This almost makes me more apprehensive than all the rest of the lack-of-training. I hope there are enough people along with GPS's and iphones (keep them charged!) to correct me every time we go wrong or don't like the road I chose.
5 - Two weeks to go... how do you feel?
Well, I've just spent three days drinking in the sun at The Oval, and I started that with a hangover, so right now I'm feeling fat, slow, and totally ill-prepared; and we're less than one week away now. But definitely excited; the bike came back from a service on Friday morning; the front wheel is now true, which helps. I wasn't thrilled by the idea of 300km on buckled wheels, and having a shinier, better, less beaten-up old bicycle added to my buzz. Slightly apprehensive, of course, but mostly just excited.
1 - Describe yourself in three words
Indolent, foody, optimist
2 - What motivated you to do this ride?
I feel like I've been discussing the idea of it with Amy and Michael for years, now. I've always enjoyed my cycling, and they kept doing triathlons we talked about riding a bit, and then they vaguely floated the idea of London to Paris and I got crazily enthusiastic. So when the idea got a bit more concrete, I was completely up for the ride.
My wife (Beth) and I are also planning on moving to the US shortly, and what better way to say goodbye to European summers than to do something like this?
3 - What book are you reading now?
Right now, it's Belching Out The Devil, about Coke's evil business practices, but it's really very boring and it's annoying me, and I'm going to have to have something else along for the journey.
4 - What does your training regime look like?
Training regime? I'm meant to have a training regime? Hmm. I've been tapering for the last 6 months, I think. I'm hoping my base fitness will get me through, which it should as long as nobody's trying to make record time. I play football in Regent's Park for a couple of hours on Wednesday nights, and cycle there and back which is about 15 miles in total. It's London city cycling so it's a lot more accelerate-stop-accelerate than open road riding, and therefore better training. Although there are no hills. Hills might be a problem for me. I'm also running a fair bit, between 5 and 7 km two or three times a week, and have been doing some boot-camp circuit style training on Wandsworth Common with my wife's personal trainer. But only two sessions of that.
For all that I've not done the physical exercise training, I suspect the real problem for me is going to be in the conditioning for the rest of the trip. 4 days in the saddle after not going out on any long rides is going to become quite painful in the backside, I suspect. And I am not tent-ready. I've never been the best of campers, so three consecutive nights sleeping in tents might be the limit of my endurance.
And, as one of the few on the ride who doesn't have children and is used to quiet and calm, I'm also not child-conditioned for three nights with kids around. I don't know if there is any training regime that gets you ready for that, though.
Still, it might be the thing that encourages me to get back onto the bike the next morning.
I keep trying to plan routes and map the journey - I picked up paper maps last Wednesday to add to all the digital stuff I've been doing - but I'm quite apprehensive that I haven't picked the optimum routes to avoid hills and avoid traffic (the two don't always go together, either). This almost makes me more apprehensive than all the rest of the lack-of-training. I hope there are enough people along with GPS's and iphones (keep them charged!) to correct me every time we go wrong or don't like the road I chose.
5 - Two weeks to go... how do you feel?
Well, I've just spent three days drinking in the sun at The Oval, and I started that with a hangover, so right now I'm feeling fat, slow, and totally ill-prepared; and we're less than one week away now. But definitely excited; the bike came back from a service on Friday morning; the front wheel is now true, which helps. I wasn't thrilled by the idea of 300km on buckled wheels, and having a shinier, better, less beaten-up old bicycle added to my buzz. Slightly apprehensive, of course, but mostly just excited.
Sunday, 21 August 2011
B aka Superfly
1. Describe yourself in 3 words:
Pragmatic, straightforward, realist.
2. What motivated you to do this ride?
Amy and Clair suggested it as something cool to aim for this year (Amy has wanted to do this for some time)...and more than a passing need to affirm to myself that I'm not gettin too old for this kind of thing. It's also going to be a really cool trip for the kids - I'm sure that they'll all grow from the experience, and have a cool story to tell when they go back to school after the holidays.
3. What book are you reading now?
The Ghost by Robert Harris
4. What does your training regime look like?
Mostly cycing this year, although normally triathlon in the warmer (?) months, and running through the winter. Have tried to ride at least twice a week with a long one over the weekend, but the mid week ride has slipped by the wayside lately...I didn't get to do much training triathlon wise this year after injuring my back at the start of the year, and only managed the London triathlon over the whole year, so really looking forward to the physical challenge that this offers.
5. Two weeks to go... how do you feel?
Excited, apprehensive but ready to go!
Pragmatic, straightforward, realist.
2. What motivated you to do this ride?
Amy and Clair suggested it as something cool to aim for this year (Amy has wanted to do this for some time)...and more than a passing need to affirm to myself that I'm not gettin too old for this kind of thing. It's also going to be a really cool trip for the kids - I'm sure that they'll all grow from the experience, and have a cool story to tell when they go back to school after the holidays.
3. What book are you reading now?
The Ghost by Robert Harris
4. What does your training regime look like?
Mostly cycing this year, although normally triathlon in the warmer (?) months, and running through the winter. Have tried to ride at least twice a week with a long one over the weekend, but the mid week ride has slipped by the wayside lately...I didn't get to do much training triathlon wise this year after injuring my back at the start of the year, and only managed the London triathlon over the whole year, so really looking forward to the physical challenge that this offers.
5. Two weeks to go... how do you feel?
Excited, apprehensive but ready to go!
"C" for Clair aka Bullet - Whoosh
1. Describe yourself in 3 words:
Happy Go Lucky
2. What motivated you to do this ride?
Well, after I almost took out my sister-in-law and myself... lol. I realised that bicycle riding {aka cycling} is not my forte. So with all my lovely circle in agreement it was pretty easy to decide.
3. What book are you reading now?
I am in between books at the moment and at the stage where I have a few to start: Sophie's World, If you see a Buddha in the Street, Kill Him, or Kringe in a Bos. Which just scares me to think of reading an afrikaans book again. Mind overload.
4. What does your training regime look like?
Mostly cycling - funny that :-). I also do cardio kick at the gym (love it) and swim sometimes but now that the tri-athlon is finished not so much of that - swimming is an effort. Getting undressed, dressed swimming, showering. Mission. Cycling on the other hand. E-A-S-Y. Bish bash bosh. "Just keept pedalling, just keep pedalling". Some suspension training lately which is also cool. but ow - hurts them muscles something silly! Just keep pedalling...
5. Two weeks to go... how do you feel?
1 week to go now ... Excited. Probably a little anxious but its gonna be awesome. I can't think of anything better to do this weekend- spend quality time with the ones I love, expending some energy and laughing a lot. Sounds like a plan. I think I am more worried about the fact that I know I will run out of battery power while riding. My precious app and all those Ks destroyed.. ha. And also going to the toilet. Mission. And gosh have to remember all the stuff I have to remember to pack. The cycling. Easy breezy. I am the bullet afterall.
Happy Go Lucky
2. What motivated you to do this ride?
Well, after I almost took out my sister-in-law and myself... lol. I realised that bicycle riding {aka cycling} is not my forte. So with all my lovely circle in agreement it was pretty easy to decide.
3. What book are you reading now?
I am in between books at the moment and at the stage where I have a few to start: Sophie's World, If you see a Buddha in the Street, Kill Him, or Kringe in a Bos. Which just scares me to think of reading an afrikaans book again. Mind overload.
4. What does your training regime look like?
Mostly cycling - funny that :-). I also do cardio kick at the gym (love it) and swim sometimes but now that the tri-athlon is finished not so much of that - swimming is an effort. Getting undressed, dressed swimming, showering. Mission. Cycling on the other hand. E-A-S-Y. Bish bash bosh. "Just keept pedalling, just keep pedalling". Some suspension training lately which is also cool. but ow - hurts them muscles something silly! Just keep pedalling...
5. Two weeks to go... how do you feel?
1 week to go now ... Excited. Probably a little anxious but its gonna be awesome. I can't think of anything better to do this weekend- spend quality time with the ones I love, expending some energy and laughing a lot. Sounds like a plan. I think I am more worried about the fact that I know I will run out of battery power while riding. My precious app and all those Ks destroyed.. ha. And also going to the toilet. Mission. And gosh have to remember all the stuff I have to remember to pack. The cycling. Easy breezy. I am the bullet afterall.
Thursday, 18 August 2011
'M'
The 'M' is for Mike
1. Describe yourself in 3 words?
Moody, energetic, dreamer
2. What motivated you to do this ride?
My awesome wife. Always trying to find something new to do. Never done a cycling tour before and this will be an awesome one as I will have a load of family and friends I care for along with me. A good time in general is what I am looking forward to...
3. What book are you reading now?
Affluenza... Taken a while to get through but an interesting read nonetheless. The fact I take a while to read a book has no real bearing on the book itself, rather my lack of ability to concentrate on one thing at a time.
4. What does your training regime look like?
A little bit of this a little bit of that. Swimming every now and then, some running now and then, although more then than now. Have been regularly riding once a week in the morning for around an hour, with a longer ride on the weekends where possible. Children, DIY (bathroom grrr) are some of the balls i have had to juggle. No excuses. Fairly fit. Jump regularly on the trampoline with my 5 and 7 year old. I can last at least 20 minutes. Go on you try it ;-)))
5. Two weeks to go... how do you feel?
Gooood, excited about the whole thing. A good way to see the country side. A little bit concerned about the lack of saddle time, but its too late for that now. The bum bone will have to suffer a little....
1. Describe yourself in 3 words?
Moody, energetic, dreamer
2. What motivated you to do this ride?
My awesome wife. Always trying to find something new to do. Never done a cycling tour before and this will be an awesome one as I will have a load of family and friends I care for along with me. A good time in general is what I am looking forward to...
3. What book are you reading now?
Affluenza... Taken a while to get through but an interesting read nonetheless. The fact I take a while to read a book has no real bearing on the book itself, rather my lack of ability to concentrate on one thing at a time.
4. What does your training regime look like?
A little bit of this a little bit of that. Swimming every now and then, some running now and then, although more then than now. Have been regularly riding once a week in the morning for around an hour, with a longer ride on the weekends where possible. Children, DIY (bathroom grrr) are some of the balls i have had to juggle. No excuses. Fairly fit. Jump regularly on the trampoline with my 5 and 7 year old. I can last at least 20 minutes. Go on you try it ;-)))
5. Two weeks to go... how do you feel?
Gooood, excited about the whole thing. A good way to see the country side. A little bit concerned about the lack of saddle time, but its too late for that now. The bum bone will have to suffer a little....
Wednesday, 17 August 2011
Get to know one of the "A"s in Team Caramba: Aiza (Goddess)
1. Describe yourself in 3 words.
F.F.F. Fun. Feisty. Fabulous.
2. What motivated you to do this ride?
A few reasons actually:
I have always wanted to do something outside my physical capabilities. And I decided that 2011 is the year of the challenge. When Clair (the "C" in Team Caramba) asked me back in April if I wanted to do the London to Paris ride, I quickly said yes! So, bought the bike in May and have been training for 3 months now.
Another motivation is that I finally found a sport that both my husband and I can do together!! My hubby is Rob (the "R" in Team Caramba).
And the greatest motivation is the fact that we are cycling from one country to another -- what a great achievement - something I can tick off the bucket list!
3. What book are you reading now?
To get inspiration, I am currently reading Lance Armstrong: Tour de Force and what a great inspiration it is.
Whenever I struggle in any uphill and think that I should get off the saddle and start walking, I just think of Lance and the other great cyclists - if they can cycle the Tour de France, I should just suck it all in and stop being a big girl!!!
4. What does your training regime look like?
For the last 12 weeks, a 20km ride at 6am every Tuesdays and Thursdays and an average of 70kms during the weekend.
5. Two weeks to go, how do you feel?
I feel very excited!!!!!!
I'm really looking forward to the ride, seeing the glorious countryside of both England and France, and achieving this fantastic goal with my dearest friends.
AND, as I've never done any camping before in my life, I'm very excited to go camping as well! My first camping experience and it's going to be in 2 countries! Fun fun fun!
F.F.F. Fun. Feisty. Fabulous.
2. What motivated you to do this ride?
A few reasons actually:
I have always wanted to do something outside my physical capabilities. And I decided that 2011 is the year of the challenge. When Clair (the "C" in Team Caramba) asked me back in April if I wanted to do the London to Paris ride, I quickly said yes! So, bought the bike in May and have been training for 3 months now.
Another motivation is that I finally found a sport that both my husband and I can do together!! My hubby is Rob (the "R" in Team Caramba).
And the greatest motivation is the fact that we are cycling from one country to another -- what a great achievement - something I can tick off the bucket list!
3. What book are you reading now?
To get inspiration, I am currently reading Lance Armstrong: Tour de Force and what a great inspiration it is.
Whenever I struggle in any uphill and think that I should get off the saddle and start walking, I just think of Lance and the other great cyclists - if they can cycle the Tour de France, I should just suck it all in and stop being a big girl!!!
4. What does your training regime look like?
For the last 12 weeks, a 20km ride at 6am every Tuesdays and Thursdays and an average of 70kms during the weekend.
5. Two weeks to go, how do you feel?
I feel very excited!!!!!!
I'm really looking forward to the ride, seeing the glorious countryside of both England and France, and achieving this fantastic goal with my dearest friends.
AND, as I've never done any camping before in my life, I'm very excited to go camping as well! My first camping experience and it's going to be in 2 countries! Fun fun fun!
In the beginning
The route:
London to Paris via New haven, Dieppe, Neufchatel-en-Bray and Bresles
Meet the team:
Clair (Bullet)
Amy (Brightspark)
Rob (Wingman)
Aiza (Goddess)
Mike (Flash)
Brendan (Superfly)
Andy (Navigator)
1. Describe yourself in 3 words?
2. What motivated you to do this ride?
3. What book are you reading now?
4. What does your training regime look like?
5. Two weeks to go... how do you feel?
London to Paris via New haven, Dieppe, Neufchatel-en-Bray and Bresles
Meet the team:
Clair (Bullet)
Amy (Brightspark)
Rob (Wingman)
Aiza (Goddess)
Mike (Flash)
Brendan (Superfly)
Andy (Navigator)
1. Describe yourself in 3 words?
2. What motivated you to do this ride?
3. What book are you reading now?
4. What does your training regime look like?
5. Two weeks to go... how do you feel?
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