Day 3 : Newhaven - London (142 kms) - Rain, Sun, Rain, Sun, Rain... and Climbing in more rain


The weather was on everyone's mind as we got up today: after yesterday's heavy rains, were we going to get more water or would we be allowed to ride in dry conditions? "Scattered showers and local storms in the South-East" was what the weatherman predicted on TV. Oh no...! Well, we don't have a choice anyway.


After a full English breakfast with fried eggs, cooked tomatoes, sausages, bacon, beans in tomato sauce, mushrooms, toast and crumpets with Marmite spread and a yogurt, we watched the other teams depart in the "scattered showers" mentioned earlier: repeated sessions of heavy rain followed by a break or even a sunny spell, before a new deluge. Repeat in a loop, ad nauseam, and add very strong winds and you have an idea of the whole day. I never ever cycled in that much rain! We just hoped it wouldn't be raining when our starting time arrived so we could warm up first...but of course that was just wishful thinking.


Today's stage was going to be 110 kms long with a bit more climbing than the previous two days as we'd go up and down the Southdowns and the Northdowns before reaching London but our team wanted to make a total 400 kms for the ride and we decided to add both distance and climbing to the programme, to skip the first stop and go directly to the lunch meeting point. The weather and the lack of technical support in case of trouble (a new puncture fest?) were potential issues but we decided to try anyway.


Our group shrank a little as two riders decided to move down to the next group where cycling would probably be more civilized, while another rider from that team joined us.


We left in the rain and got soaked in the first 5 minutes, and the entire day was going to be a continuous sequence of buckets of water falling from the sky followed by dry spells. We were never really dry and spent the day in wet socks and shoes, running into one after the other storm and violent downpours interspersed with sunny breaks.





In spite of this constantly changing weather, we enjoyed the beautiful English lanes and wide panorama from the heights. After 55 kms and an arduous climb followed by a long, smooth downhill at 65-70 kms/hr, we decided to go back up the same hill via a different route, an extra 10 kms loop. Two riders preferred to wait at the bottom of the hill until we returned and we left them as the rain started again. The initial climb up this hill had been long but this one was much shorter, which meant much steeper too, with passages at 16-17 pct, a bit of a struggle but that is what we had wanted. Once again, climbing or descending, I could appreciate the quality of my NeilPryde Alize and the GS Astuto wheels: light, firm, rigid, very stable even at speed and in curves, on smooth or rough surfaces. A great pleasure to ride.


We met our co-riders down the hill and moved on to the lunch checkpoint in a quaint little townhall where all the other teams were gathering. At least we were inside and protected from the rain.


The second part of the day saw more climbing, including a very tough hill with a longish passage at 20 pct and several other shorter but steep "walls". Just before the last checkpoint in Croydon and as we thought we had escaped the jinx, one of us had a puncture just as a violent shower started. By the time he had repaired, the sun was out again but his tyre went flat again only a few minutes later...


The ride from Croydon to London's Tower Bridge was done at a much more leisurely pace amongst urban traffic and the skies celebrated our arrival near the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey with one of those fierce downpours similar to what one sees in the tropics, except that the temperature here was lower by about 20 or 25 degrees.





We were the first team to finish, tired, dirty, soaked to the bones...and now sprayed in champagne as we crossed the line. A great 3 days despite the horrible weather and the punctures misery.


We took a few quick photos before cycling back to our hotels to wash and dry and go to the celebratory dinner where "my" fundraiser for Japan obtained a special mention and prize: at over 55,000 Euros (and counting: the collection website remains open until mid-July), we were by far the largest single fundraiser.


I will soon place the NeilPryde bike and GS Astuto wheels, saddle, handlebars and bottle cages up for auction on e-Bay, and that sale will increase our tally too.
Once more I wish to thank NeilPryde, GS Astuto and High5 Japan for supporting my race by donating their equipment and the sports nutrition items that kept me going strong throughout the event.


Please follow this link for more information:
Paris to London Bike Ride


Stay tuned for more reports from this great event.