A week or so ago I returned from my annual cycle ride which essentially is about raising money for Laureus Sport for Good. The total raised is close to 260,000 UK Pounds as I joined a group of about 90 St James' Place employees and two Laureus amnassador/celebrities. Since I was able last year to succeed with my London to Paris cycle ride - to encourage sponsorship and support I decided to double the distance and do London to Basel. I set myself 8 days to do the approximately 1000 km (first 4 days with the St James' Place peleton) and then 4 days alone. In the event I was able to arrive 1 day early and the distance was around 1100 km.
After deciding it was to be the Laureus Pilots chrono to join me - Getting ready at the airport in Basel.
Arriving at the Laureus offices in London
A pseudo ad hoc meeting in London with Greg and Ralph. A splendid couple of hours together. (see their posts for more details).
The morning was met with relatively rain - a phenomena that followe me incessently until the last day.
A Laureus friend - Mr Mick McCarthy joined the London to Dover first day of the ride. A real gentlemen and it was a pleasure to ride with him for a while. He was suporting quite a bad knee injury but didnt let it dampen his enthusiasm one bit - not even the rain did that - and thankfully the sun arrived in the afternoon. 
Once we arrived in Dover - we headed into the ferry - where some wine and fish and chips were highly appreciated.
Day 2 started with a puncture leaving Calais to Abbeville
I actually enjoyed waiting until all the group cycled past and then doing my best to catch the group up for lunch. The first guy I met was then Michael Vaughan - Laureus ambassador - former England Cricket captain and by all accounts a splendid sportsman. I had the pleasure to dine with him in the evening and I found him a competely down to earth chap. He has two IWC watches. A Big Pilot and the a Portuguese you can see him wearing.
Day 3 - yet another puncture in the rain. 
It was along day and my small group arrived around 2-3 hours before the main peloton allowing plenty time to relax with my favourite Belgian icon.
Day 4 - was splendid and only rained a little bit. 
Here we are arriving in Reims.
Day 5 - Sunday morning here I am getting ready for the solo ride - in the rain.
Looking down all day this is the view.....
I actually crossed 4 paths with the tour de France (2 photos)
My travel kit
Travelling as light as possible - I had no change of footwear - so in the restaurant after 12 hours of cycling for some energy. I actually nearly got to my two day target destination in one day covering around 240 km in one go and rested in Neufchateau.
Day 6 - my original target was going to be Epinal - but since I was only around 30 km away I was able to make the next target which was Gérardmer - a beautiful resort in the Vosges mountains.
This hotel (Beau Rivage) was splendid on the lake and I arrived around 230 pm amd decided to rest up and enjoyed being a tourist. This hotel at least had some footwear for me.....and some Leffe too. 
Last day.
Two colleagues volunteered to support me for the last 140 km over the Vosges hills/mountains to get back home. It was great to be in a group again.
Shouldnt they be giving me a slipstream.....
I was delighted to reach the summit first
And finally arriving back in Basel
In my garden
Early dinner with babboo - my cat. 
Many many thanks to those who have supported the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation through your sponsorship of my trip. Some stats +- 45 hours on the bike, 1100 km, with around 9 km of climbing.
I will be making a drawing with the chance to win Laureus and IWC gifts (Thanks Oliver and team) for all those who have donated to the link above. I will make direct contact with the winners towards the mid of next week.
