Paris to Geneva
It all began when I received my copy of guiding magazine in January 2009 in the run up to Girl Guiding Centenary. I logged on to the centenary website to see what was being planned for the year ahead. There was a section of challenges for adults. I did not fancy walking or riding a horse but the cycle ride from Paris to Geneva caught my imagination. I could do that I said to myself, no problem. Little did I realise what I had bitten off.
I sent off for the information and before I could change my mind, I had signed up for this challenge of a lifetime.
I dusted my bike down and took it to be serviced. By this time, it was March and the weather was fine. I set off on my rides round the lanes. I soon realised that my saddle was a little on the hard side and so I changed it for a gel saddle. A great improvement. After much deliberation, I splashed out and bought a new bike in June. This was bliss as it had up to 24 gears. Now there was no stopping me. I also had the padded lycra.
I suffered a setback in December when I fell on the ice and broke my wrist. This put my training on hold for several months, but I still managed to go to the gym to keep as fit as possible.
The big day came round all too soon and on September 12th 2010, a group of twenty guiders from around the UK set off from St Pancras to Paris on Eurostar.
We stayed overnight in Paris and on Monday September 13th we set off early in the morning for the Eiffel tower which was the official start to the ride. That day we cycled a total of 93 miles to Sens travelling mostly on minor roads. The going was fairly straightforward with just one climb to test us. The sun decided to shine and so the water stops were most welcome.
The next day was another sunny day and we began to pass through interesting scenery. Instead of open expanse of fields we passed though vineyards and by wineries. The lunch stop was just outside Chablis. Of course we had to sample the local wine - very nice it was too. After a mere 81 miles we arrived at Semur-en-Auxios for the night. The town looked very pretty from the distance and it was a shame that we did not have the energy to go and explore, but we needed all our energy for the day ahead.
Wednesday was a long hard day to Lons-Le-Saunier and we had to be up and ready to leave by 7.15. There were several inclines that began to test us. It was a question of putting your head down and keeping going. There was no real opportunity to stop. The weather was also changing. It was colder and by the time we reached our overnight stop it was becoming dark and raining. This days cycling amounted to 100 miles.
Thursday was our final day of cycling. As we neared the mountains the scenery became much more dramatic. As we climbed it also became colder and so we were glad to be wearing good quality cycling jackets. St Claude was the beginning of the real challenge. We cycled along a route that is used on the Tour de France up to La Joux and then to Col de la Faucille. Now it was really hard work. If you did not want to be walking 8 miles up hill it was imperative that you kept in the right gear and kept moving. It was a wonderful feeling to reach the summit and look across to Mont Blanc. The descent into Geneva was amazing. Downhill all the way with some very interesting bends! This day’s cycling totalled 77 miles.
So in four days I cycled a total of 351 miles and climbed some very big “hills”
What was the purpose of this ride you may ask? It is to raise money for the Girl Guide Centenary fund, which is being set up to help girls and young adults achieve something that they might not be able otherwise to afford. Several guides from Yoxall have had wonderful opportunities through Girl guiding and they have all be fortunate that they have had the support of their parents and their guide unit and so have been able to go to and do things that they might not otherwise have been able to do. It is because of this that I am did this bike ride, because there are girls who are not as fortunate as the girls in Yoxall are.
There have been many people in the Burton on Trent and Lichfield area who have supported me in my fund raising and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for their support. The money raised will go to a good cause.
Ann Boulby