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)

At a recent Breast Cancer Care charity dinner, Cherie Blair, in her capacity as Patron of the Breast Cancer Care charity, wished “bon voyage” and good luck with the fund raising to the team.

(Cherie Blair with tour organiser / rider Nigel Verdon)

6th June – Arrive in Marseilles via plane, train and automobile and staying in the Novotel Marseilles Airport.

7th June – Marseilles to Cassis – a climb over the Col de la Gineste and long decsent into Cassis staying in the Hotel Mahogany

8th June – Cassis to le Lavandou – a mix of coastal and vineyard cycling passing through the wine region of Bandol and staying in Hotel California in Le Lavandou

9th June – Le Lavandou to Juan Les Pins – along the coast road passing through St. Tropez, St. Maxime and passing the Esterel mountains (along the coast road) through Theoule Sur Mer passing into Cannes; past Palais des Festivals where the Cannes file festival is held and into Juan Les Pins to the Astoria Hotel

10th June – Juans Les Pins to Monaco – following the coast road through Antibes, Nice, Villefranche (where Lance Armstrong used to live/train), Eze-sur-Mer and ending up in Monaco

The team taking part are the following people. Follow the link on their name to sponsor the person (for corporate sponsors, please click here):

Andrew Addison
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Thomas
Brian Connell
Colm Connell
Danny Farmer
Dave Ingram
Declan Gilley
James George
Judith Jackson
Michael Colin (van driver and food man)
Denise Colin (van driver and food lady)
Mick Fennings
Nicky Amor
Nigel Verdon (organiser and rider)
Simon Taylor
Val Cross

Details on how to setup the just giving page for the ride….

1. Goto the just giving web site

2. Click on the “Start Fundraising” button and follow instructions…

3. When you get to the “About Your Event” screen, fill in the “Can’t find your event” box as below with the “Marseilles to Monaco Cycle Tour”

4. Use the tools on the site to email people who you wish to raise money from

5. Email me the link to your page – e.g. http://www.justgiving.com/nigelm2mtour and I will update the site

For those of you who might be considering buying a bike for the tour, take a look at the Cycle2Work scheme to get 50% off

Welcome to our first commercial sponsor – “Maxim Sports Nutrition” and a big thank you to Lindsey Taylor generating this sponsorship (Lindsey is the wife of Simon who is taking part) . Maxim Sports Nutrition will provide us energy bars and drink supplements free of charge.

Over drinks on 4th Jan 2006 a colleague of mine (Martin Jones) suggested I get fit and start cycling – he also kindly donated me a Colnago Master Olmypic to start training with. He also “kindly” signed me up to do a charity ride from London to Reims in June 2006.

Well, I caught the cycling bug – Martin being a great trainer passing on his years of cycling experience. We did the London to Reims ride (410km) and met a great bunch of individuals and mooted whether we should do the same again in 2007….

Well here it is, although this time the event is self organised and we are supporting two charities – Breast Cancer Care and Lowe Syndrome Trust.

We will also be publishing logistics, sponsorship, live progress etc. on this site.

Enjoy!