WHERE ARE YOU? They all ask! (by Julian)

It turns out that the SFR 3G network isn't even very good 2G...so we haven't been able to blog since we started the bike ride. And despite a battery change our GPS locator has failed too in sympathy. We hope to get it working in a minute but until then...we are in France.


The night has been "eventful" with running repairs to bikes, a lot of Garmin related detours (Sue went backwards, I went into a wood - involving a rapid downhill bit into the wood and a long uphill bit to get back on track!)

We continued to swap in strict rotation throughout the night - and taking any sleep as and when we could find it (not easy in a jolting minibus). We are now all on our last legs - literally and metaphorically. But we were slightly refreshed to find a BP garage with a shower - which for 2 Euros, we all managed a shower. Bargain!!

Now we are continuing to make slow progress and have just reached Grandvilliers. Andy is on the bike (which means I am up next) and we are around 120km from Paris. Ian is trying to get the minibus started - the key has been defective since we left! So although we have lost a few hours in the woods, we are back on track for Paris - in a sunny July morning in northern France.

Arc De Triomphe here we come!

Cyclist #1 Mike tries to find his way out of Calais

We tried maps. We tried TomTom. But the Bicycle Garmin solved it! A few stressful moments in the cars and we tried to sync ourselves with Mike and we were soon all following SatNavs. Don't be surprised if we turn up in Paris, Texas!

Mike says: "Lovely found the canal and followed it. Quiet and serene very pleasant. The Garmin picked out all the one ways which was great. The temperature though is dropping fast...trousers and long sleeve tops will be required!"

The transition from channel to bikes

Having swum into the beach at Wissant, we return to the boat and 1:15 hours later motor around to Calais Harbour to meet our support crew who have come under the channel by Eurotunnel - a lot easier and a lot quicker!!

We transfer our numerous bags and have a final photo with our Pilot, Lance Oram, and his crew, Chris with our observer Tanya and her daughter Alex. They were truly great all day - a source of energy and humour.

Next we load/unload and make some running repairs. We program the Garmin and get ready with the TomToms to set off. A few false turns and we figure it out. We are off to Guines and then Le Wast. Follow us on the blog.

Swimmer #3 Alex goes for the glory swim

Alex says: "I iced the cake that the team had baked. Kevan told me go up the beach like 007 Daniel Craig so I made love to several boyfriends, murdered some beautiful women and played with my gadgets"

Yup I think Alex has finally cracked. Great last swim. Everyone - including Sarah - joined him for the swim into the beach, although we had to stay behind him and not assist! It wasn't a problem - he was on a high and heading for the rocks - until we pointed out the nice sandy beach!

All seriousness on his last swim, Alex was joined by a small shark. We see this as his alter ego (whilst Mike's was a seagull??). Now to Calais and the bikes

Swimmer #2 Julian has to push across the tides

Julian says: The tide was picking up pace and we were at risk of missing the calm and sands of Wissant bay and heading past Cap Blanc Nez. We had to get over the sand banks and into the shallows. But that meant building on what Andy had achieved and sprinting for an hour. We all cheered him on chanting "kick, pull, kick, pull" and then it was my turn.

Imagine this as my last proper cold water swim, I put everything into it. After 13 hours of running as a team and 13 hours of swimming, we were all shattered but I just went for it. Stroke rate as fast as I could, remembering what Mike at Sevenoaks TriClub told me about my stroke and pulling for France. An hour is a very long time to sprint when you are knackered. But we made it into the shallows and Alex could pull for France

Swimmer #1 Andy returns to the water for his 3rd and critical swim

Andy says: "It was sunny with noticeably warmer water. As you approached coast, water went blue to green. Swam my heart out but was drifting to the left again [he just can't stay away from Belgium]. Wasn't cold when I got out but glad I wasn't doing a fourth swim and won't be doing any cold water swimming for a while.

Swimmer #1 Andy returns to the water for his 3rd and critical swim

Andy says: "It was sunny with noticeably warmer water. As you approached coast, water went blue to green. Swam my heart out but was drifting to the left again [he just can't stay away from Belgium]. Wasn't cold when I got out but glad I wasn't doing a fourth swim and won't be doing any cold water swimming for a while.