1happyreader
zen/child method
woo whoooo !!
Mike is on his way to Paris and beyond!!!!
Mike is on his way to Paris and beyond!!!!
Paris or bust ... probably bust
- Thread starter Mwhwsmith
- Start date
Mwhwsmith
Member
Today, I became a Centurion … and not a metric Centurion, but a full-fat, caffeinated, imperial measurement system Centurion.
To give you a sense of how far this was, my ride of 100miles is the same as 528,000 feet, or 176,000 yards, or 800 furlongs or 5,280 Ramsden's chains, 8,000 gunters chains, or 32,000 rods, or 800,000 links.
If I had been riding at sea, then it might be better expressed as 87 nautical miles, or 33 leagues, or 5,867 shackles, or 868 cables or 88,000 fathoms.
For the older people on the forum then you may relate more to 704,000 spans, or 352,000 cubits, or 171,243 cloth-yards, or 140,800 ells, or 4,400 bolts, or 194,118 megalithic yards.
To the lay-person it was a long way (for me - recognizing many people on here do 100 mile rides every week).
My camera died after 2.5hrs, my Garmin packed-in after 5hrs (I finished in the Strava iPhone app) but my legs just about kept going to the end. It was very noticeable that my first 80miles were all at a very even speed but my last 20miles was noticeably slower.
My legs are tired, my knees ache (I have a load of historical injuries on my knees) but my smile is surgically attached.
Mike
To give you a sense of how far this was, my ride of 100miles is the same as 528,000 feet, or 176,000 yards, or 800 furlongs or 5,280 Ramsden's chains, 8,000 gunters chains, or 32,000 rods, or 800,000 links.
If I had been riding at sea, then it might be better expressed as 87 nautical miles, or 33 leagues, or 5,867 shackles, or 868 cables or 88,000 fathoms.
For the older people on the forum then you may relate more to 704,000 spans, or 352,000 cubits, or 171,243 cloth-yards, or 140,800 ells, or 4,400 bolts, or 194,118 megalithic yards.
To the lay-person it was a long way (for me - recognizing many people on here do 100 mile rides every week).
My camera died after 2.5hrs, my Garmin packed-in after 5hrs (I finished in the Strava iPhone app) but my legs just about kept going to the end. It was very noticeable that my first 80miles were all at a very even speed but my last 20miles was noticeably slower.
My legs are tired, my knees ache (I have a load of historical injuries on my knees) but my smile is surgically attached.
Mike
battleaxe0
Guru
It's also 1,584,000 hands
Abbott Smith
Guru
Start practicing now. Learn to say, "I would like a Cafe au Lait with a Financier please. " in French.
Happyrider
Member
When arriving in Paris on a bicycle, you are better to say: "I would like a cafe au lait with a Paris-Brest svp" or if you are up to it in French: "J'aimerais un cafe au lait avec un Paris-Brest s'il vous plait". A Paris-Brest pastry is wheel shaped in honour of, you guessed it, the famous Paris-Brest-Paris ride held every 4 years in August, including this year.
And if you feel like continuing on another 120 km (now well within your range), we would be pleased to host you in Warmshowers style (includes a flute or two of Champagne) and you and I can ride around the Champagne countryside on our matching Vendettas !
PM me if you are up for it.
And if you feel like continuing on another 120 km (now well within your range), we would be pleased to host you in Warmshowers style (includes a flute or two of Champagne) and you and I can ride around the Champagne countryside on our matching Vendettas !
PM me if you are up for it.
Mwhwsmith
Member
Tomorrow is the big day - Paris here we come.
I have most of today enjoying carbs and the V has been fully fettled by my LBS. The weather was looking dicey (31c, thunder storms, and head/crosswind in France) but then the forecast changed today.
I have my CB jersey ready (laundered but oily!) so am feeling good.
Early night tonight ...
I have most of today enjoying carbs and the V has been fully fettled by my LBS. The weather was looking dicey (31c, thunder storms, and head/crosswind in France) but then the forecast changed today.
I have my CB jersey ready (laundered but oily!) so am feeling good.
Early night tonight ...
Abbott Smith
Guru
Have an epic ride!
Charles.Plager
Recumbent Quant
I do make the rules: Photos or it never happened. Have a great time!
Suz
Well-Known Member
Congratulations Mike. I thought you were crazier than me when I read your first post. (That's something I would commit to.) So proud of you for the journey, its been fun watching your progress. The "tribe" on this forum is extremely helpful! Can't wait for the mandatory pictures.
Good luck and be safe.
Good luck and be safe.
Mwhwsmith
Member
Just got back today ... wow - what an amazing experience.
I will write a more full description of the trip in the coming days. However, the highlights were:
a) The camaraderie of the 100 or so riders I went with (http://duchennedash.com/)
b) The scenery and countryside of Northern France - not to mention the silky smooth roads
c) The feeling of accomplishment having turned the cranks every metre of the way (there was no walking required, even on the steepest hills we encountered) and having raised a GBP400k to help children with muscular dystrophy
d) The arrival in Paris: we had motorcycle outriders, closing every junction we passed through on our way into Paris. Passers-by would stop to clap and cheer us on. Its fair to saw the V got more than it's fair share of attention
I have attached a picture from the poppy fields of northern France. Also a couple of twitter postings/pictures.
https://twitter.com/ClareNews2/status/607104516358610945/photo/1
https://twitter.com/ClareNews2/status/606887313210253312/photo/1
Thank you to all on here who offered their advice and guidance ... very much appreciated.
A full report to come ...
Mike
I will write a more full description of the trip in the coming days. However, the highlights were:
a) The camaraderie of the 100 or so riders I went with (http://duchennedash.com/)
b) The scenery and countryside of Northern France - not to mention the silky smooth roads
c) The feeling of accomplishment having turned the cranks every metre of the way (there was no walking required, even on the steepest hills we encountered) and having raised a GBP400k to help children with muscular dystrophy
d) The arrival in Paris: we had motorcycle outriders, closing every junction we passed through on our way into Paris. Passers-by would stop to clap and cheer us on. Its fair to saw the V got more than it's fair share of attention
I have attached a picture from the poppy fields of northern France. Also a couple of twitter postings/pictures.
https://twitter.com/ClareNews2/status/607104516358610945/photo/1
https://twitter.com/ClareNews2/status/606887313210253312/photo/1
Thank you to all on here who offered their advice and guidance ... very much appreciated.
A full report to come ...
Mike
Attachments
castlerobber
Zen MBB Master
Congratulations! Quite an accomplishment. I went back and read your first posts on this thread...you've really come a long way in a short time!
Looking forward to the full report.
Abbott Smith
Guru
Congratulations Mike. Wonderful accomplishment. Well done.
