• Master
    21 Jul 2012, 8:56 p.m.

    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.

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    After deciding it was to be the Laureus Pilots chrono to join me - Getting ready at the airport in Basel.

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    Arriving at the Laureus offices in London

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    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.
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    Once we arrived in Dover - we headed into the ferry - where some wine and fish and chips were highly appreciated.

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    Day 2 started with a puncture leaving Calais to Abbeville
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    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.

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    Day 3 - yet another puncture in the rain.
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    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.
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    Day 4 - was splendid and only rained a little bit.
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    Here we are arriving in Reims.

    Day 5 - Sunday morning here I am getting ready for the solo ride - in the rain.

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    Looking down all day this is the view.....
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    I actually crossed 4 paths with the tour de France (2 photos)
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    My travel kit
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    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.

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    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.
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    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.

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    Shouldnt they be giving me a slipstream.....
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    I was delighted to reach the summit first
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    And finally arriving back in Basel
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    In my garden
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    Early dinner with babboo - my cat.
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    LINK TO SUPPORT LAUREUS

    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.

  • Master
    21 Jul 2012, 9:09 p.m.

    Quite a bike trek. But you had the trusty blue chrono to keep you company. Great travelogue and pics.

  • Master
    21 Jul 2012, 9:15 p.m.

    Hi Andrew,

    Fantastic effort!

    I loved seeing the photos and I was happy to follow your link to donate.

    Loved the watches too, obviously!

    Cheers.

  • Master
    21 Jul 2012, 9:54 p.m.

    What a wonderful achievement Andrew! It's great to see you also had some time to relax and meet a few old friends and probably make quite a few new ones!

    Kind regards,

    Clemens

  • Connoisseur
    21 Jul 2012, 11 p.m.

    It's just fantastic! A fabulous adventure and a great accomplishment. Bravo!

  • Master
    21 Jul 2012, 11:19 p.m.

    andrew...

    simply amazing, so very impressed and for a wonderful cause. thanks for taking us along on your journey... much respect.

    regards,
    thang

  • Master
    22 Jul 2012, 12:30 a.m.

    Well done Andrew and looks like it will be a well done by Bradley Wiggins on the TdF.
    I might add Andrew was shopping for bits for the bike the day before the off and it wasn't a puncture repair kit or inner tubes!

  • Master
    22 Jul 2012, 2:53 a.m.

    congrats my friend - what a trip ! u make 1100 km appear so effortless. I don't think I would be able to sit down for months after a trip like that :)that first pic of your four laureus editions is simply brilliant - only the DV one left :)

  • Master
    22 Jul 2012, 3:54 a.m.

    Great photos and great adventure. Someday I must do a trip like this to experience it for myself. Neverthessless we followed and enjoyed your bike-logue. Thanks Andrew and congratulations.

  • Master
    22 Jul 2012, 4:02 a.m.

    Andrew, congratulations on your accomplishment, you make all of us who support the Laureus effort in some way very proud. Look forward to hearing more details of your ride on your next visit to the US.
    Great photo/travel log.

    Regards,
    Kevin

  • Master
    22 Jul 2012, 5:05 a.m.

    It's unbelieveble adventure Andrew! Briliant photos! Thank you so much for sharing!

  • Master
    22 Jul 2012, 7:07 a.m.

    Congratulations Andrew, and a great achievement for a great cause. Fantastic post/photos and I think your Laureus is now my all time favourite Pilot Chrono.

  • Master
    22 Jul 2012, 8:19 p.m.

    BRILLIANT!!!

    Well done and thanks for posting the pictures.

  • Master
    23 Jul 2012, 1:21 p.m.

    Bravo Andrew!! Great story and pictures, this fellow bikerider is envious of your trip and in admiration of your effort!

  • Master
    23 Jul 2012, 1:31 p.m.

    You make us all proud, Andrew! Congratulations on another successful ride for a great cause...and thanks for taking us along!!!

  • Master
    23 Jul 2012, 8:32 p.m.

    Andrew - simply superb effort and great accomplishment. I am proud to be one of your annual sponsors for his good cause - and implore my fellow forumers to contribute next year. (or as you say .... Why wait - do it now, its a great cause/charity sponsored by our favourite manufacturer!)

    Thanks for sharing this adventure with us.

    Best regards
    Mark

  • Master
    25 Jul 2012, 2:20 a.m.

    Andrew, I think you should be nominated to feature in the Experiences/Challenge!

  • Master
    25 Jul 2012, 1:43 p.m.

    Andrew, RESPECT my friend!!! You did something really challenging for such a great cause! And also thanks for the photo report, really cool!

    Groeten,

    Bob

  • Master
    26 Aug 2012, 6:02 p.m.

    This post is hidden. You cannot not see its contents.

    Hidden by on 8 Nov 2018, 4:30 p.m..

  • Master
    26 Aug 2012, 6:02 p.m.

    Dear friends

    I finally had time to sit down and do a drawing where several forum members have won an item. (9 additional individuals have won an item too - who are not forum members and have been notified).

    Mark L - Laureus Cap
    Thang - Laureus T- Shirt
    Jeronimo - Laureus T-Shirt
    All others : A top class IWC Key ring. Sinclair, Daniel Binkert, Daniel S, Norbert S, Mark Powell

    Please get in contact with me and we can arrange offline for me to send you the item. With my best wishes and THANKS AGAIN for your support. It really is very much appreciated.

  • Master
    26 Aug 2012, 8:47 p.m.

    Andrew, it was and remains a truly worthwhile charity.

    It is us, who need to thank you for your year on year effort to raise funds for Laureus Foundation and I for one, look forward to sponsoring your next ride too.

  • Master
    4 Sep 2012, 9:28 p.m.

    +1

    Couldn't put it any better myself.

    WOW! I won a t'shirt... After over a week in which I was flooded with work and with difficulties to log in, finally today I get this nice surprise!

    Thanks Andrew & thanks LAUREUS!