A insight to mainland France

Thursday 15th August

Not much to report today compared to my previous events. A horrible head wind made it tough going all day and the temperature is getting hotter the more in land I go. Found out today that cycle paths are not just for bicycles they are for most two wheelled vehicles! On a nice wide path digging into a hill with my head down I looked up to see a moped heading straight for me! Note to self, keep your head up! 

Took some time to take in mainland France today and have made these findings: For some reason everything is closed, my dreams of cycling through little villages in the morning through amazing smells of freshly baked bread and croissants has been systematically destroyed as all i get is farm smell and not even so much as a corner shop is open, there must be some holiday explanation for this.

If you like farming then mainland France is your Disneyland, with corn fields one side and haystacked fields the other. In the morning the smell can be quite fruity with the rising heat but in the evenings your senses will come alive as the sun sets, today it was strangely pumpkin and vast lavender fields. Incidentally the senses in your behind come alive aswell after the constant agony of what can only be described as sitting on a rusty clothes mangle for 6-7 hours, sometimes you'll get a nice pinching sensation which means its time to stop and find a place to camp up!

During lunchtime hours I've tried to stop in so called "towns" for a nap and some food. People tend to stare at me and for this I don't judge them. Today you would find me past out next to a McDonald's drive through fingering garlic cream cheese onto half a baguette, I didn't care though, had free wifi!

Managed to find another farm to camp up in. Eric was the guys name, looked like Phil Mitchell, again he didnt speak any English which I expected as I guess not many blokes from West Country speak French but slept well ready for another day...

Camping ground at the wind farm 

Allo Allo Allo!

Wednesday 14th August 

Last night i made an executive decision before it got too dark to camp up on some grass by a campervan and truck stop in St Omer. I had a bit of cover and the sun set pretty quickly so before I knew it I was cooking noodles with my head torch. During the night I was awoken to an almighty roar and the tent was shaking back and forth like an earthquake. My great spot for a nights kip turned out to be about 6 feet from a railway with just bushes between however for some reason not all the trains made as much noise as the first so I soon dropped back off.

Today was my first meeting with the French police, it turns out I can't camp at some truck stops. They approached with caution and kindly called out "POLICE, no camping" and I answered from inside my tent, "yeah sure no worries, 2 minutes." I forgot where I was at first as my tent is like a little time machine. I leave it in one country and wake up in it in another!

Things could've been a lot more eventful if they had charged in to wake me up though. As I heard the sound of branches cracking beneath their feet I was in a state of self repair, more specifically I was completely starkers nursing antiseptic cream into a rash/wound that I obtained in Portsmouth on day one! As it happened I got some shorts on quick smart and they were none the wiser.

When the police left and I had packed away it turned out that my barrier from the railway was a blackberry bush! So that was breakfast sorted although I didn't get too carried away. My friend Rocka will testify that when the stomach doesn't feel right, octopuses aren't the only species to shoot black ink when threatened!

Cycling into a headwind was tough today, after the slight disappointment of RC Lens (although the security guard did give me 4 bottles of water) i had to find a town called Arras. This is where I found out that the French can not do directions nor are they young. After one question to a man in the street, I found myself 10 minutes later with 3 old people and a man from over the road still with no clue where to go as they changed their minds constantly. As it happened I went with my instincts again and found my way only 100m from their house! Complete pain in the arras! Excuse my French!

Decided to pitch up early with the permission of a farmer so have a lovely little spot over looking a wind farm. No police, no trains, no problemos

RC Lens training ground visit

Viva la France!

Tuesday 13th August

A very relaxing start to the day with a leisurely breakfast and lunch, bit of a sunbathe and the luxury club lounge thanks to P&O ferries was very much turned on its head when I arrived in France. 

I had the small issue of not having a clue where to go! I thought my road map of Europe I purchased for £5.99 from the ferry would serve me well but I have learnt to trust my instincts more than the small print of my map and French road signs.

In the end I resorted to my compass to work out the direction I should be going in, (which I had correctly felt in the first place) and found the sign for St Omer. Realising time was against me, today was more of a sprint section, 30 miles in just over 2 hours is pretty good considering Nigel's put on a few more pounds in the shape of Uncle Ben's rice and packets of pasta.

First realisations of France are that they drive on the right hand side of the road which means turning left at a roundabout can be interesting the first couple of times. Right side good, left side not good. They also have blue and green signs. Blue means motorway and bicycles aren't allowed here, green means 'A' road bicycles are allowed here. Blue bad, green good, I have found this out also. 

Luckily for me the French love a cyclist, they're very considerate when over taking and give you plenty of room. Some may even get into that Tour de France spirit and give you a toot as they go past. The French love a toot, the only trouble is they sometimes catch you off guard and if you're of a nervous disposition you could find yourself scrambling in an attempt to stop yourself from careering into a bush as they happily drive by with a thumbs up and a wave.

I dread the day I have a dodgy stomach whilst riding through France!

One good thing is that French roads are flatter than a 10 year old 7up! Honestly, they are a cadburys dream to ride on which should make this week a lot easier. 

To the white cliffs!

Monday 12th August


Today was my first day alone, yesterday was good to ride with Mike and meet the guys in Brighton but it just prolonged the eventual loneliness. Had a good sleep in the grounds of Pevensey Castle and was so tired after a 100 mile ride I couldn't careless about the voices I heard outside my tent at night.

Today was welcomed with aching legs, a sore bum and some very steep hills which will be good training for the Alps and parts of Africa. Made it to Dover at around 6pm so well ahead of schedule as my ferry isn't until 3pm tomorrow.

Have come to realise a few things so far. Road cyclists don't wave to touring cyclists no matter how happy your "hello" is, hobnobs are even better after you've cycled 40 miles to eat one, truck stops are excellent resting places for cyclists not just lorry drivers and cobble streets are a sore bum's WORST nightmare!

Other than that all is good and just have to find a place to stay tonight, if only the beach wasn't stoney!

Tuesday 13th August

Found a nice place to sleep last night over looking the beach next to a fellow homeless man. Many worries could've ran through my head like what if my stuff is stolen, what if im attacked, how can i honestly do this for another 6 months but realistically i have a much darker issue to contend with. My sleeping bag absolutely stinks to the point that i would rather brave a cold nose then to fully submerge my head in the worst of all dutch ovens!

The bench was hard but probably better than the beach and when i positioned my backbone inbetween two slats it was actually a good night sleep. The man's snoring was quite therapeutic unlike the flash from the lighthouse glaring at you every 5 seconds! Woke up to a beautiful sunrise and some screaching seagulls and just waiting for the ferry now before I turn hello's into bonjour's and anything else into palle vu anglais?

First day drama

Final thoughts...before i begin

Well its fair to say the last month has been mental. I have not slept for a multitude of reasons in the last 3 weeks but can't complain as my parents probably haven't slept since i told them what i was doing last year. However, things are now looking much brighter, much more exciting and for me at least i can start to enjoy my adventure of a lifetime. (parents still won't be able to sleep)

I'm sure this ride will gradually provoke many philosophies on life that i will hopefully be able to use in the future to be a better person and live a more fulfilled life, something we should all strive for. The truth is, it already has. The support and encouragement i have received so far has literally blown me away! The sponsorship has been amazing and i thank everyone across the globe for their generosity and great words of support. I hope this continues and strengthens throughout my journey as more people follow and (fingers crossed) enjoy my take on the different countries i travel through and the different experiences i have. (majority of which will probably be poo related)

This being said, there have already been a few individuals that have gone above and beyond my call for support and without them i would literally not be able to start this journey.

There are some people in life you can always rely on. Some people give you promises that you rely on but never pull through. And some people you meet for the first time when they're picking you up off the ground, that stay with you until you're ready to walk. I have experienced all three but would like to concentrate on the latter and say a massive thank you to all those that have gone out of their way to help me; most of whom i have only just met! Whether it be, "pimping my ride," sorting out my camping equipment, including my ride on their work's website or raising money from their work and donating. Thank you so much.

I leave at 8.30am on Sunday 11th August which now, because of these people, i can really look forward to. I will be doing a little ride away from St Mary's Stadium, Southampton at half time tomorrow. After that, i have no real clue but i guess that's what adventure is all about. Be sure to stay tuned though as it could be quite tasty/messy!

More jabs than Tyson

Over the past two months its fair to say that i have been a human pin cushion! On top of the stresses of organising what to take, how to carry it and where to go on a 7 month, 11,000 mile bike ride. I have had the small issue of receiving the appropriate vaccinations for travelling through Eastern Europe and Africa.

During my first meeting with the local Travel Health Clinic the general feel was, "why are you doing this?" and "you're probably going to die but if you don't die then lets write down what you need to be aware of." Well lets face it, the list of what i shouldn't be aware of is probably shorter. However, after a little persuasion and the help and good nature of my "personal arm stabber" we managed to make a list of what i needed and here is the song sheet:

Rabies

Meningitis

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis A

Typhoid

Polio

Tetanus & Diphtheria

Cholera

Tick borne encephalitis

Yellow Fever

Malaria Tablets

Not all of these are just one Jab, most are a course of two or three and they don't come cheap. Honestly, i have lost count how much i spent, (around £650) so if you're thinking about travelling through Africa you must ensure you have taken into account the sting in your wallet not just the sting in your arm!

If it wasn't for my kind nurse Gill who wants to remain anonymous as she "looks terrible in photos" (her words not mine) then i would never of gone back after my first visit for more punishment. I suppose i should be thankful for Gill although i have to apologise for the secret picture! i think the smiley face portrays how much she enjoyed putting me through pain anyway! 

I get by with a little help from my friends

I have one month to go and things are finally falling into place but this would not of been possible if it wasn't for the great help that i have received from people that only 2 months ago were just strangers to me. Matt from Bushcraft UK, Scott from Slime and Reece from Peter Hansford cycles have been brilliant in assisting me with camping and bicycle equipment to really ease my financial situation and ensure my ride is as successful as possible.

I hope this support is echoed throughout my journey to ensure i overcome all barriers that i may experience. Someone once said, "you can always depend on the kindness of strangers" and this is what my journey and life itself is all about.

Cheers boys!