One week to go

With only a week to go before the 2011 Bike Battlefield Bike Ride, the nerves are starting to kick in. Am I going to be fit enough? Probably not - and indeed considering the severe lack of training this year I will probably suffer. I am heartened though to hear that we will be accompanied by 2 teams of wounded soldiers - one from the Uk and another from the US. So - no complaining!

As in previous years I will attempt to maintain this blog during the week - however this will be subject to getting adequate internet connections in the rather small French hotels we will be staying in. Based on previous years normally every other day.

The full itinerary for the ride is below and for those with time on their hands my reports of the 2 previous rides are lower down this blog!

INTRODUCTION
Our exciting cycle challenge takes us from Southwick Park in Portsmouth – a hugely important part of naval history – across the channel to Le Havre and Northern France. Our challenging ride traces some of the region’s most significant WW2 battle sites, including the Northern beaches around Arromanches, and the area south of Caen which witnessed the culmination of Operation Goodwood. This will be a great physical challenge, but also an amazing emotional journey. We finish our challenge by cycling through central Paris, via the Arc de Triomphe before finishing at the Eiffel Tower.

ITINERARY
Day 1: Portsmouth – Le Havre
We meet for registration in Portsmouth where there is a rare opportunity to visit the D-Day map room, from where Eisenhower made all his tactical decisions, and also some of the museums at Southwick Park. We’ll then have a send-off supper at Southwick House before cycling down to the ferry terminal, leaving our bikes with the transport crew and boarding the overnight ferry to Le Havre.
Cycle approx 5 miles

Day 2: Ste Mere Eglise – Bayeux
Disembarking from the ferry, we board coaches and travel to our start point on the Cherbourg Peninsula, Ste Mere Eglise. Here, the first French town to be liberated in 1944, we will remember the American Airborne Forces and lay the first of our memorial wreaths in a special ceremony. After looking around the Airborne Museum we continue on to visit the main American landing beach, Omaha, before heading for our night stop in the beautiful town of Bayeux. Overnight hotel.
Cycle approx 55 miles

Day 3: Bayeux – Caen
Today – the British Day – we visit the coast where the troops landed. First we tour the museum at Arromanches and see the film footage of the historical events that took place. After a moving wreath-laying, we head onto the Gold, Juno, and Sword beaches, where guides will be waiting to deliver some history at your leisure. From here we continue on to Pegasus Bridge, where the first house to be liberated from the Germans in June 1944 still stands. Here we are piped over the Bridge by Pipers and after a gathering and historical briefing we ride to our hotel in Caen as the bugler sounds The Advance. Overnight hotel.
Cycle approx 45 miles

Day 4: Caen – Lisieux
Today, the Canadian and Polish are remembered as we cycle from Caen down to Falaise, where the Germans were very nearly defeated! After a stop in the square to hear the Guides explain how close it was, we take a spectacular climb to the Mace. Here we will lay a wreath to commemorate the Polish soldiers, before continuing on to Lisieux. Overnight hotel.
Cycle approx 75 miles

Day 5: Lisieux – Evreux
The French Resistance and Special Forces Day, today we will remember the brave soldiers as well as women and civilians and hear the stories of the much celebrated SOE (Special Operation Executive) Agents, who parachuted into the countryside to work undercover against the enemy. We will have SOE individuals who were there at the time, as well as modern-day SOEs, when we remember those no longer with us. We shall once again lay a wreath in the memory of resistance fighters. Then we continue to Evreux. Overnight hotel.
Cycle approx 55 miles

Day 6: Evreux – Paris
Free French day – the liberation of Paris. An exciting day today, as it was back then, as we cycle eastwards and follow the route many soldiers took in the liberation of Paris. With personal memories from those who were there, we cycle towards the capital city where a wonderful celebration welcome awaits us. A wreath will be laid at the Arc de Triomphe as we cycle past, and on down the Champs Elysees to our finishing point at the iconic Eiffel Tower. This is a long, emotional yet rewarding day to finish the cycle challenge! All cyclists will be part of a celebratory evening reception at a hotel in Paris. Overnight hotel.
Cycle approx 70 miles

Day 7: Paris – London
Arriving about 6pm