It's been a while in coming, and inevitably it's far from worth the wait. But here it is, my last blog entry...
All physical form gained on the Tour as been lost somewhere beneath Birthday parties, May Week and Glastonbury. My cycling kit lies rotting and still in my paniers in my parisian flat and will probably be unusable ever again. The bike lies disassembled after I drunkenly took it apart for a bet. But, the memories are still there. (Cue wretching in disgust from several readers I'm sure).
All that remains is for me to thank you all for spending your valuable time reading my ramblings, and to thank those of you generous enough to donate to Save the Children in the form of sponsorship. The total stands currently at £2,350 , an amount which will make a huge difference to many lives. So, thank you all again. Ed xxx
(If you wish to make a donation and haven't yet done so details are online at www.justgiving.com/edstourdefrance)
mercredi 27 juin 2007
vendredi 8 juin 2007
And now, the ends is near...etc.
Here it is, the last entry (until the inevitable epilogue).
Today I travelled out from Versailles to Jouy en Josas (my old stomping ground) so I could see just how far I've come over these last few months. The answer is about 6 kilometres. Now that is a bad joke.
Either way, I triumphed French administration (at least for a while) today, defeating my old landlord by recovering my deposit, and conning the French police into thinking my passport had been stolen rather than carelessly lost.
Aside from such frippancies (is that a word?), I'd like to conclude this entry, and indeed my Tour with a rather disgustingly soppy message. My friends and family already know me as a rather soft and sentimental git, so this should come as no particular surprise to you.
If I've learnt anything over these last ten weeks it's this...
Give everything your all, and fuck it if it's not enough - sometimes you're gonna have to take the train.
Look after yourself, but never forget those around you. Friends, family, and the people you meet on the way are what makes life worth living.
So thank you to you all. Whether it's been by text, phone call, facebook abuse or whatever, I couldn't have done it without your support. And thank you to to anyone reading this who I met along the way, Daniel and Sonia, Jacques Isabel and Eliza, and all those whose name I didn't catch, but tooted me and cheered, bought me a pirates of the caribbean fun cone, or offered me a free Opel Corsa, thank you all.
I told you it'd be soppy, but there it is. I've missed you all dearly, and can't wait to see you. X
Today I travelled out from Versailles to Jouy en Josas (my old stomping ground) so I could see just how far I've come over these last few months. The answer is about 6 kilometres. Now that is a bad joke.
Either way, I triumphed French administration (at least for a while) today, defeating my old landlord by recovering my deposit, and conning the French police into thinking my passport had been stolen rather than carelessly lost.
Aside from such frippancies (is that a word?), I'd like to conclude this entry, and indeed my Tour with a rather disgustingly soppy message. My friends and family already know me as a rather soft and sentimental git, so this should come as no particular surprise to you.
If I've learnt anything over these last ten weeks it's this...
Give everything your all, and fuck it if it's not enough - sometimes you're gonna have to take the train.
Look after yourself, but never forget those around you. Friends, family, and the people you meet on the way are what makes life worth living.
So thank you to you all. Whether it's been by text, phone call, facebook abuse or whatever, I couldn't have done it without your support. And thank you to to anyone reading this who I met along the way, Daniel and Sonia, Jacques Isabel and Eliza, and all those whose name I didn't catch, but tooted me and cheered, bought me a pirates of the caribbean fun cone, or offered me a free Opel Corsa, thank you all.
I told you it'd be soppy, but there it is. I've missed you all dearly, and can't wait to see you. X
mardi 5 juin 2007
Easy
Well, I'm in the last week, and my adventure is drawing perilously close to its end...meaning I shall soon have to confront the real world of landlords, exam options, dissertations and the like. On a more positive note however it brings me all the closer to parties on the Champs Elysees, in a field by a river, at John's Ball, and at Glastonbury. La vie is indeed dure...
It'd be unfair if I didn't let you all know the results of the weekend's special, though I'm sure you can guess them already. Superman was ALLEGEDLY faster than a speeding bullet. I am OFFICIALLY faster than a train. Ok, a regional train. Travelling over lunch time with an awkward change.
But the fact remains that by the time Hammond and May made it into the station, I'd had a shower, looked around Deauville, and got bored of waiting. I will point out that in that time I however did not attack any ladies with a suitcase. Unlike Chewstep. Tut tut tut.
I'm staying in Rouen for a rest day here, as it really is rather pretty. However until I get to look around I really have to get through some of the couple of months of admin that's built up...nightmare.
I'll try to post another entry before it's all over...until then, a la prochain x
It'd be unfair if I didn't let you all know the results of the weekend's special, though I'm sure you can guess them already. Superman was ALLEGEDLY faster than a speeding bullet. I am OFFICIALLY faster than a train. Ok, a regional train. Travelling over lunch time with an awkward change.
But the fact remains that by the time Hammond and May made it into the station, I'd had a shower, looked around Deauville, and got bored of waiting. I will point out that in that time I however did not attack any ladies with a suitcase. Unlike Chewstep. Tut tut tut.
I'm staying in Rouen for a rest day here, as it really is rather pretty. However until I get to look around I really have to get through some of the couple of months of admin that's built up...nightmare.
I'll try to post another entry before it's all over...until then, a la prochain x
lundi 28 mai 2007
Top Gear Special
Thought I'd give an update about the 'Top Gear Special' happening this Saturday, because I'm sure you've all been dying to know about it... or something.
Joel and Chewstep are coming out to visit in Caen this Friday, and the concept is that I shall race them to Deauville in true Top Gear fashion, myself playing Clarkson, Joel as Hammond and John appropriately as James May.
THe course is approx. 50k on the bike, which I think I can do in about 1h45 if all goes well. In the mean time they shall have to get to the station at Caen, take the 49 minute train to Deauville, and then make it to the rendezvous.
In theory it should be pretty close, though it will probably all hinge on a few factors...
How hung over I am, Whether they miss their change, whether I puncture, and if biscuits are indeed sufficient fuel for such a feat, they haven't failed me yet. There will of course be a sufficient forfeit for the loser(s), possibly some form of Karaoke at my birthday party, or some sort of head shaving...
ANd I forgot to mention that a bee stung me by my right eye a couple of days ago, meaning I'm down to one. WHich isn't great for cycling. Hopefully the swelling will go down soon and make me look a little less ridiculous. x
Joel and Chewstep are coming out to visit in Caen this Friday, and the concept is that I shall race them to Deauville in true Top Gear fashion, myself playing Clarkson, Joel as Hammond and John appropriately as James May.
THe course is approx. 50k on the bike, which I think I can do in about 1h45 if all goes well. In the mean time they shall have to get to the station at Caen, take the 49 minute train to Deauville, and then make it to the rendezvous.
In theory it should be pretty close, though it will probably all hinge on a few factors...
How hung over I am, Whether they miss their change, whether I puncture, and if biscuits are indeed sufficient fuel for such a feat, they haven't failed me yet. There will of course be a sufficient forfeit for the loser(s), possibly some form of Karaoke at my birthday party, or some sort of head shaving...
ANd I forgot to mention that a bee stung me by my right eye a couple of days ago, meaning I'm down to one. WHich isn't great for cycling. Hopefully the swelling will go down soon and make me look a little less ridiculous. x
And now, the shipping forecast.
Whenever you're watching football and you want something to happen, get your mum to stand in front of the telly. It works a treat. Similarly, if you get sick of Blofelt talking about the latest cake they've received at TMS, pray for the shipping forecast. It guarantees a wicket.
This isn't completely unrelated to my adventure, as the last few days have been spent in and around the department of Finnistere, known by me til now only for it's regular TMS interuptions.
The last few days have been a bit of a mixed bag really. Britanny, I thought, was flat. TUrns out it's not. Especially the Black Mountains. Where I took a 'shortcut'. And got horribly lost and ended up in the bottom of a valley it took nearly an hour to climb out of. I spent a night at Birgnagon Plage on the North coast of Brittany, which was a lovely place, and my tent practically had a sea view. However awakening Sunday morning I was in the middle of nowhere, and had to cycle, whatever the weather.
THe weather as it turns out was storms which claimed three lives, and had winds of up to 134km/h. I wisely called it a day after 30k when I hit civilisation, and gave in to the Level 3 alert. THat wind has persisted today rendering cycling far from wise, and as such I disappointingly trained to St Brieuc. Was pretty gutted as I'd got all the way from Carcassone to here without interruption, but if there's one thing I've learnt on this trip it's that you can't beat the weather.
A few random points... I set fire to a pair of Y fronts attempting to dry them on a halogen light and swiftly fled my room before it filled the hotel with smoke. I met a group of guys who thought my project was so great they bought me a Pirates of the Caribbean 'fun cone', which though not aerodynamic, did contain fun games though sadly no naughty pictures of Keira Knightley. And my daily routine has a couple of exciting changes. For breakfast I now have two baguettes rather than one, and take an afternoon break in a cafe betting on French horse racing about which I know nothing at all.
A bientot... Less than two weeks in fact. x
This isn't completely unrelated to my adventure, as the last few days have been spent in and around the department of Finnistere, known by me til now only for it's regular TMS interuptions.
The last few days have been a bit of a mixed bag really. Britanny, I thought, was flat. TUrns out it's not. Especially the Black Mountains. Where I took a 'shortcut'. And got horribly lost and ended up in the bottom of a valley it took nearly an hour to climb out of. I spent a night at Birgnagon Plage on the North coast of Brittany, which was a lovely place, and my tent practically had a sea view. However awakening Sunday morning I was in the middle of nowhere, and had to cycle, whatever the weather.
THe weather as it turns out was storms which claimed three lives, and had winds of up to 134km/h. I wisely called it a day after 30k when I hit civilisation, and gave in to the Level 3 alert. THat wind has persisted today rendering cycling far from wise, and as such I disappointingly trained to St Brieuc. Was pretty gutted as I'd got all the way from Carcassone to here without interruption, but if there's one thing I've learnt on this trip it's that you can't beat the weather.
A few random points... I set fire to a pair of Y fronts attempting to dry them on a halogen light and swiftly fled my room before it filled the hotel with smoke. I met a group of guys who thought my project was so great they bought me a Pirates of the Caribbean 'fun cone', which though not aerodynamic, did contain fun games though sadly no naughty pictures of Keira Knightley. And my daily routine has a couple of exciting changes. For breakfast I now have two baguettes rather than one, and take an afternoon break in a cafe betting on French horse racing about which I know nothing at all.
A bientot... Less than two weeks in fact. x
mercredi 23 mai 2007
Red is the colour
Everyone has as some stage in their life 'caught the sun'. However few do so with the skill of the amateur 'cyclist'. Not only did I catch the sun today, rather I poached it with the panache of Strauss at second slip in the Trent Bridge 2005 test.
I'm currently camping in Carnac on the South coast of Brittany, which is delightful, and unsurprisingly rather like Cornwall. I've clocked up over 300km in the last 3 days, and feel 'sur le fil du rasoir' - approximate translation, 'on it'. 1250km to go, and 16 days left to do them. And a time trial from Caen to Deauville - news of that to follow.
Anyway, I have some Moules Frites and a demi to order. And the small matter of a football match to watch. I feel rather partisan dressed in my Liverpool Red skin...
I'm currently camping in Carnac on the South coast of Brittany, which is delightful, and unsurprisingly rather like Cornwall. I've clocked up over 300km in the last 3 days, and feel 'sur le fil du rasoir' - approximate translation, 'on it'. 1250km to go, and 16 days left to do them. And a time trial from Caen to Deauville - news of that to follow.
Anyway, I have some Moules Frites and a demi to order. And the small matter of a football match to watch. I feel rather partisan dressed in my Liverpool Red skin...
lundi 21 mai 2007
"But this isn't the motorway, 'Dis ist die Autobahn'"
Never, ever, cycle on a motorway.
If you do decide to however, please heed this advice.
Do NOT, under any circumstances, do it after 6 hours and 130km of cycling.
Or when it's raining.
Or in rush hour.
That is all. x
If you do decide to however, please heed this advice.
Do NOT, under any circumstances, do it after 6 hours and 130km of cycling.
Or when it's raining.
Or in rush hour.
That is all. x
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