Frequently Asked Questions

What Krishnan learned : Everyones different but here's what happened to me. 

How much training? 

I started properly in January and had 5 months. Training is mostly about hours in the saddle for your body to adjust. I cycled most sundays in Richmond Park for about 90 minutes (3 laps), and I cycled to work (9 miles each way) a couple of times a week. I wanted to be on the bike about 3 times a week with one longer ride every four weeks. I did two 58 mile training rides (the London-Newhaven leg of the route - which really boosted my confidence) and one 100 mile ride two weeks before. Some friends used "Turbo Trainers" at home when the weather was grim but I found them really boring. I had work trips which meant doing nothing for whole weeks a couple of times. 

There are cycling personal trainers who will give you a programme or ride with you. I didn't use one. If you have time to do other exercise swimming is good and (I'm told) pilates. If you need contacts for trainers or specialist bike physios to check posture, etc ring Pearson's Cycles 

What about Diet?

You need calories when you cycle, so I kept eating. I found cycling energy gels played havoc with my insides but sandwiches, potatoes, muesli bars, jelly babies, chocolate all great. And hydration drinks were brilliant. And porridge before a ride. 

I was careful with what I ate normally. I tended to eat either porridge or protein-heavy breakfasts, only had significant carbs at lunchtime and had fairly light dinners of fish/chicken/veg. My body changed shape (it didn't last once I stopped). 

How hard is the ride? 

Here's last year's route : http://bike4good.blogspot.co.uk/p/the-route_13.html) and 2014 will be very similar with the exception that we will have motorcycle escorts the whole way and ride in groups rather than spreading out over miles as last time. 

Stage 1:  58 miles London to Newhaven which takes about 4.5 hours for somebody like me. We have one brief stop on the way for a drink/bite to eat. (video : http://youtu.be/nRPS6a_RD8Q) You have a decent break with dinner in Newhaven and get the ferry at 11pm. If you're lucky you'll get 2-3 hours sleep on the ferry. Video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx00MXEXke0

Stage 2 : 48 miles from Dieppe to Gournay En Bray with a porridge stop halfway. Leave about 4am off the ferry and head to the delightfully flat Avenue Verte cycle track for a couple of hours as the light comes up over the fields. This is one of the highlights. At Gournay En Bray there's a much needed patisserie/coffee stop. Video : http://youtu.be/gOwxx5eHlzc

Stage 3 : 32 miles Gournay En Bray to Marines with a stop at La Houssoye. Rural France, quiet roads. Hopefully the sun comes up and you start to feel more human. video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsA7wM3pl6E

Stage 4 : 27 miles Marines to Villennes Sur Seine. Glorious ride through scenery, with some hills. Stop for a bite in the town centre of Villennes Sur Seine

Stage 5. 25 miles Final stretch to Paris (we had a little drink stop half way). You've basically finished. The motorbikes stop the traffic as you head into Paris, up the cobbles of the Champs Elysee and to the Eiffel Tower. video : http://youtu.be/IpP3t0Om-T8  

What if I have a problem? 

There will be support cars for people who need a short rest. This might only take a few minutes of rest, food and rehydration. Only one person needed one rest this year. It is wise to learn how to fix a puncture but there are lots of people to help. Repairs can be done on the move by the mechanic in a support van so you don't fall behind the group. And there's a doctor.

Motorcycle escorts will keep people together. Nobody gets left behind. Nobody gets lost. But we'll give you the route for your Garmin if you want to check your vital statistics on the way.

We all found it hard in different ways but nobody (even me) ever thought they wouldn't make it. We're a very mixed ability group . Some expert cyclists but many, like me, novices. Our oldest riders are in the their sixties.