Day Eight... What a Cheapskate

Brilliant day after an awful night. The rip off campsite in Zurich was full of "rad" snow boarders, that were there for a "totally awesome" freestyle competition and they didn't shut up all night. I couldn't leave quickly enough in the morning.

It was very overcast, which is great because its cool. (As in temperature, not snow boarder talk for "good"). The route pretty much followed Lake Zurich, so was almost completely flat, (I had only gone up 126ft in the first 31km). First stop of the day was at a Lidls. I bought some apple juice, fruit and meat, and sat in the car park scoffing it. Like a scantily clad tramp with an expensive bicycle, then cracked on.

The views just kept getting better and better, I felt like I was living in a postcard, although in the back of my mind, there was a voice saying, "You've got to go up that soon"...

"Soon" came at the afore mentioned 31km mark, lasted only another 6km, but went up 2412ft... very slowly. There were 9 hairpin bends, so it wasn't straight up thankfully, but I felt it when it was on the inside turn of the hairpins. It took me about an hour to get up, (not sure what the speed was), but I felt really good at the top. Much like my training, I find a level of knackeredness (that IS a word) and stay there, I don't get more tired, I just grind out the miles. So that bodes well for tomorrow. The mountain is 5 times higher, so I'll feel 5 times better...right?

Coming down was obviously even better, not pedalling for nearly half an hour. I did almost crash at one stage. I came through some trees into bright sunshine and the most amazing view of the lake. It LITERALLY took my breathe away, I was so awe struck I forgot to turn and almost went over the barrier and down the side. Luckily there were no cars either...

The campsite is ridiculous. I kept looking round and grinning, the view is stunning. I've attached the new screen saver on my phone and couldn't help send a wee video back to the office to gloat. If anyone is interested Google "See Camping, Welanstadt".

I've just had a BBQ on the beach, with a young couple who asked me to join them. Nadia and Michael. Nadia is staying here as she studies to be a Physiotherapist and Michael is doing his national service in the army. It is usually only 5 months, but he just became a lieutenant and has to do 20...haha, idiot. They were great though, (pic attached), and saved me walking into town to buy my own dinner... (Hence the Day Eight title).

Well, early night as I'm doing a Von Trapp tomorrow and legging it over a mountain.

Tchuss

World's Widest Cycle Path...All along Lake Zurich... Brilliant

See Camping, Welanstadt

Nadia and Michael

Day Seven... Wish it was Eleven

BECAUSE THEN I'D BE FINISHED...

Good days riding today. My new best things are the French super markets Hyper U and E. Leclerc. I get to cool down in the cooler sections, I spray myself at the perfume sections and of course they sell food and drinks. But now I am in Heidi Land, they've gone. (I did also pass a Spar). I'm not sure what tomorrow holds in the way of provisions. I've no doubt that there will be shops, but probably very expensive tourist ones.

Today's ride was the best so far though, it was definitely the most challenging, with over 5,000ft of ascents altogether, but also the first day in a while that went to plan... 156km and on the road about 10 hours, (including perfume stops). I hit my fastest speed down hill so far, 64kmph and I also noticed that a lot of French cows lie down. At the start of the week I thought it was just because of the rain, but no, they're lazy... Just saying.

On the last bit toward the campsite, I took a wee detour into Zurich, well will I ever get the chance to ride in a major European capital again? Never! And I'll never want to, it was bedlam. Trams, cars, other cyclists, (that know what they're doing) and the maddest series of cycle paths. The go on off the pavement, through tunnels that are full of pedestrians, it was proper mad. Can't remember swearing so much in such a small period of time.

Campsite is ok. Mega expensive, 25 francs for the "cheap" plots away from the lake. He almost spat the word "cheap" out at me, bozz eyed twat* (edit Rob). Then I had to pay 2 francs for a 3 min shower, which turned ice cold when the time ran out...mental. Like they didn't steal enough during the war* (Rob).

Anyway, I'm in my tent, by a noisy road and a train track, under a street light, so I can't see me sleeping much tonight. (Double decker trains too. I just saw one go by, all lit up and couldn't work out what was happening)

Eidelweiss

And before I forget, I got over the border well easy, Steve McQueen is rubbish...

Day Six... Back in the Mix

Having stopped short yesterday I obviously had a bit of catching up to do today, but Team Ottaway did have a back up plan just in case the conditions stopped that from happening. I was going to head for Vesoul, see what I felt like, what the time was etc and then either stay there or head for the original target of Belfort...

I was up early, (about 1973 according to the carpet walled hotel room) grabbed a couple of croissaints, a cup of tea and hit the road.

Now my lovely Garmin SatNav did have a route of 188km, until I told it I was a car and wanted to use main roads, et voila, (more French), it was 167km, very do-able. So off I set, with the morning traffic, 99% of which was fantastic, just the odd BMW driver living up to the stereotype. The weather was clear absolutely no wind and I was making what seemed like good time, with not much effort as I was heading mostly downhill. Being a main road there were also actual proper shops, that sold stuff, stuff I could eat... Amazing. (Although they seem to shut between 12 and 2, around the time I need them most). So unlike the rest of the trip, I had regular food and water fill ups, this made a massive difference and I made it to Vesoul for around 2.15 and stopped for a rest. Belfort was only another 60km, so I decided to go for it.

The main D roads aren't necessarily better than the rural ones I had been going on so far, but the fact that I had proper pit stops makes them a much better choice and I arrived at the campsite in Belfort at about 6.00pm. The owner's speaks excellent English and after he explained where everything on the site was, I asked him his name. He said, "Patrice", which surprised me. I asked him if he was French, (stick with me here), he said he was and said, "is that because of my accent?"... He spoke English with a German accent. Turns out he spent his childhood in Hanover and learned English in Germany... Brilliant.

I have just spent the evening with a couple from Yorkshire on the last 4 days of their 6 MONTH holiday. I'm not sure they want to go home.

Tomorrow I will be in Switzerland... the land of the Toblerone, and stolen Nazi Gold. (You might want to edit that last bit for POP Rob)

Ce La Vie

Day four........ Ready for more

What a difference a day maaaakes... I hope that's a song, because I've been singing it.

Started the day with the decision on whether or not to make a push for my original campsite, or find an alternative. I decided to have a go and if I didn't make it I'd rough camp. I recalculated my route, having detoured, (that's French that is), last night to find a hotel and it came to 196km...eek. I didn't have breakfast at the hotel as I wanted to get away quickly and I'm also struggling to eat first thing, just makes me feel ill, so I nicked a couple of croissants as I left and set off.

The conditions were perfect. It was overcast to keep the sun away, but didn't rain, there was a slight tail wind and as I may have mentioned, the French roads are excellent. I just got my head down and pedalled till I had 150km left, in just under 2 hours, averaging around 14mph and felt really good. So I had a quick break, threw the croissants down my neck and fired on. I stopped once more between then and hitting the halfway point. This always gives me a boost as I then have less to do, than I've done already. So without going into all the details of every stop, (and me almost getting caught having a wee by the road), I did the whole journey in 9 hours, about an hour of which was breaks. That is around an average of 15mph, not Tour de France speeds, but not bad for a cart horse.

Just as I got to the campsite my phone started ringing, I saw that it was an Andover number and answered it... It was Tim Eagles, with some much needed words of wisdom, having gone through similar things last year on his John O' Groats to Lands End cycle. It was very much appreciated and good to talk to someone that knew what I'd gone through yesterday.

The campsite is great, good showers, a laundrette and some decent food, (from a dodgy looking bloke in a van, who only stops smoking to cook). I'm next to a lovely Dutch couple, Matt and Hanika, who gave me a beer and I've been chatting with. So I'm all dry, I'm well fed and I will smell nice when I leave tomorrow...

Allors

Three... Nearly Killed Me

Was woken at 1 am by some stupid woman shouting at her dog and only had broken sleep after that.

7 am, alarm, and absolutely pouring down outside. By the time I had everything packed up and on the bike, I was soaked and hadn't even set off.

I was on the road for 8 and the sun did briefly appear, but from around 9.00 until I stopped just after 6.00 it was torrential rain and headwinds.
I only managed 60 miles (24 short of my target) at an average of less than 10 mph and had to detour to find a hotel. Almost everything is soaked, so will be getting hung up all over the room later...

Also... Nothing is open on Sundays in France. I've only had a pasty since I set off and really struggled to find water, (ironic given the rain) and just now, my mobile just packed in. The back was full of water.

All in all, today has been an absolute nightmare and mentally, it has smashed me right up, but I am impressed that I didn't swear at all while typing that...

Day Two - A day of two halves...

First half in Blighty, up early at my sister's, so I could be away by 7.30 to cover the 25 miles to Newhaven in time for my ferry. I had a surprise visit from my Dad too, who had driven through from Sandwich to wish me well. So even though the clouds were gathering and rain was forecast, I set off in high spirits. I went down the major 'A' roads, 23, 26 and 27, because last time I rode round there the appalling minor roads nearly shook my bike to bits. It was mostly downhill, but even in the rain, I was at the port by 9.30... Where my sister and Dad were waiting... Smiling... Warm and dry in the car... Gits. I did take the opportunity to charge my phone though.

I went and booked in and we sat in the cafe, where more and more cyclists started turning up, a lot of them in the same kit. When we were queuing to go through to the ferry I asked what they were doing, (they didn't have any kit on the bikes), they were doing a charity London to Paris ride, were spending each night in a hotel and had a support vehicle with them. When I told them what I was doing they were a bit shocked. I took that as "I'm going further than you, so I win".

The ferry was horrendous, I forgot I get sea sick, so spent the whole four hours lying down with my eyes shut, trying not to throw up... Again!

Then it was time to get off and the second half of the day, where everything went metric. Being on the right (wrong) side of the road was weird. I had to look the opposite way first at junctions, look over the opposite shoulder when pulling out and put the opposite foot down when I stopped. It freaked me out for a good half hour, but then I got into it and started to take in where I was. The roads were in excellent condition and the drivers were so courteous. Either leaving lots of space, or slowing down as they went by me. It was some of the best cycling I've ever done, even when the heavens opened and it pi... lashed down.

I arrived at the campsite, 35km form Dieppe, (I told you it was metric) after about two hours riding, absolutely soaked. The owner was a nice chap, spoke English after grimacing at my French, (which keeps turning into German), and I went and set up my wee tent. I've never been so jealous of all the caravans around me. If it rains bad tomorrow, I may book into a hotel, just to dry my kit out.

So far so good.

Laters

Day One Done

So... I've started. I have to say that today has been quite emotional. I really didn't enjoy saying goodbye to my daughter. I knew it was going to be the worst thing about going away, but it upset me more than I thought and made for a difficult start to the day.

I got to Stannah just after 8.00 am to find my hilarious workmates had got me new bike... one for a child of about 8 years old. It really made me laugh and helped relax me. A little crowd of about 20 people had been dragged out to see me off and we posed for some photos with some Italian flags and some Union flags as well as a Help for Heroes banner, it was quite amusing. I obviously still looked stressed because my friend Melody came and gave me a wee pep talk and a hug, which really helped. So I got on Keira, and the crowd counted down from 10 and I was on my way...

I only got about half an hour down the road and had to stop. My head was buzzing, I was just all over the place and really couldn't get it together. I pulled over, swapped a few texts with my sister, (she always says the right things) and then I puked...lol. I don't think I'd really taken in what I was about to do and it hit me like a train. I had a sit down, took in some fluids and hit the road.

It didn't take long to into my rhythm and pretty soon I was flying along and making good time. The ride was pretty uneventful, no near misses, good conditions and the only hard bit was going through Midhurst. The whole place is on a hill, has a stupid twisty, turny one way system with loads of stops because of traffic lights. It was a nightmare starting and stopping whilst going UPhill.

I did the 85 miles in seven and a half hours and feel good for it. Early start in the morning to catch my ferry, then its France and the continent...