Firstly, we managed to raise over 20,000 GBP for our supported charities (Breast Cancer Care and Lowe Syndrome) and support the local economy (well, the vineyards at least).
Well, we DID it (see the photos here), but it wasn’t without incident. Navigating through Marseilles, France’s second biggest city, on a bike via dual carriageways (we nearly strayed on to a Motorway!) through tunnels, tramways etc wasn’t for the faint hearted or those of nervous disposition, especially after a previous evening of energetic wine sampling.
Before we had even covered 20 kms on the outskirts of Marseilles a small truck had at 50kph clipped the rider of one bike and tossed him with bike attached over a steel railing into a ditch (see pictures). This happened to be Nigel (the organiser and leader of the trip). He was extremely fortunate in only sustaining broken ribs and a fractured shoulder blade. The emergency service did us proud. Within minutes there were 3 pompier (fire) vans and one gendarme on the scene. Nigel was promptly carted of to hospital – one down.
Within the next 20 kms another of the riders (Colm) clipped a kerb and ended up with multiple cuts, grazes and bruises……. as there were only 14 of us to start with in the first place the chances of anyone actually finishing, or perhaps even getting to the 2nd day, were looking increasingly slim. (evidence on the pictures page)
From there onwards things improved although on the 2nd evening of the ride some of the boys elected to search out the fleshier nightspots of the less salubrious areas of the Cote D Azure only to stagger back to the hotel at 3.30 whilst providing a lively rendition of the ‘Wild Rover’. Suffice it to say some mammoth hangovers and a less than happy hotel owner (Hotel California no less!) existed the next morning. Progress was, let’s say, jerky that day and it was best not to be downwind.
Anyhow one more casualty later (Nicki another clipping of the kerb) and some great scenery we all made it to Monaco, 400kms and 4 days later. Regretably to keep up with the schedule the much anticipated sampling of the vineyards along the way fell by the wayside.
(above was written by Andrew Jackson)
