Estimated miles: 45
Miles: 57
Average speed: 9.2 (worst yet!!!)
Total trip miles: 135
Route: D927 Beauvais, Meru then opt 1 (ours) D927 to Pointoise, D4 along river to Auvers sur Oise or opt 2 (favoured by everyone else) D927 to Herouville and D928 to Aurvers-sur-Oise (about an hour quicker apparently!)D928 towards Paris, a lot of back streets (bronx-like) and finally cycle paths along the River Seine into Paris centre-ville.
The final day into Paris was an estimated 45 miles, and the sun was trying to shine on us. We followed the D927 most of the way, stopping about half way for sandwiches and cakes from a little boulangerie, followed by a long coffee outside soaking up the sun. We arranged to meet everyone else at the bridge by Auvers to ride into Paris together along a smaller road. They’d only been waiting an hour, so no ice-creams or more coffee for us before the final stretch into Paris centre. Em was visualising a cycle along Champs Elysee, through the Arc de Triomphe…the reality was cycling around several small streets, a bit more like the ‘Bronx of Paris!’, a flat tyre, and the group gradually parting ways to various different accommodations. So not quite the ‘Tour de France’ finish, pumping our fists into the air!
We all made it, still smiling and had treated ourselves to a grand bier (only $9. 40 a ½ litre)….not so funny now!
Well done Girls on Cogs! You did well to keep smiling – especially you feeling so rough Hels. I think I *may* have had a sense-of-humour failure, had we been with you…
Well done girls. What an epic. I hope you enjoyed it, despite the challenge. I have to say, much as I enjoy the big annual Cragspotting cycle ride, I’m glad we opted not to join you this time. Maybe next year, if it’s marginally easier and slightly later in the year…? And at least you introduced me to a new experience – actually kind of enjoying a Little Chef!