Nottingham to Paris 2009

In April 2009 we (Glen & Greg) are cycling from Nottingham to Paris, because we want to.

We also want you to join us for parts (or all) of the journey. Get in touch if can you cycle 50+ miles a day with a hangover.

Homepage » Journal entry #09

Leaving Nottingham…

Posted by Simon Collison at 09:09am on 17.04.09 | 9 comments

Our intrepid, reasonably prepared heroes have – at 8:06am this morning – set off from the Erskine building, with a mere 391 miles between them and Paris.

Our heroes leaving the Erskine building

Tonight, their top-heavy panniers, hot wheels and sore arses will make Cambridge, completing the first day of windy, rainy adventure. God bless the eccentric English.

By the way, as unofficial coordinator for Glen and Greg’s epic journey, I’m here basically to update this here journal if they find themselves in a wifi-drought – and also on stand-by with the mighty Datsun should they need urgent assistance, or a delivery of Jelly Babies or whatever. Either myself or our heroes will keep you up to date. Possibly.

Update: Text from Glen, 2.17pm: “Pub food in Northamptonshire, 35 miles from Cambridge. EPIC hills in Leicestershire. Knackered.”

Update: Text from Glen, Saturday 11.05am: “Couldn’t get anything to eat last night. Full English breakfast now. Sweet.”

Update: Voicemail from Glen, Sunday 1.06pm: “At Epsom racecourse on the way to Brighton. Its lovely weather and good all round, but Greg has left all the top secret documents in the office, so we need to know how to get to Blackberry Wood campsite. Do your thing as coordinator and let us know how to find it.” I can confirm that I have done so.

Update: Sunday night, 6.37pm: our heroes have arrived at Blackberry Wood campsite (just north of Brighton), as planned. Three days in and they’re nicely on schedule.

Update: Text from Glen, Monday morning 9.36am: “On the ferry. Just made it. Fucked.”

Update: They’ve made it! Greg just called from Paris. They reached the city itself quite a while ago, then got a bit lost, but finally arrived at the desired point at 5pm. Some suggestion of neck pains and other troubles, but they’re in good spirits. Well done chaps!

9 comments Leave yours

#01 Brian Coult at 08:52 on 17.04.09

Good luck fellas….
#02 Phil at 09:39 on 17.04.09

Godspeed!
#03 sci anderson at 10:06 on 17.04.09

All the best guys!
#04 Steve Wood at 12:38 on 17.04.09

They looked quite fit and healthy when they set off!!
#05 Rich at 15:30 on 17.04.09

Sweet baby Jesus, that’s a fearsome peloton and no mistake madam.

The very best of British luck to you gentlemen - Allez!
#06 Richard at 18:31 on 19.04.09

Those Leicestershire hills are a pain!
#07 Robert Cannon at 19:47 on 20.04.09

Hey Greg ya mums worried about you Why didnt you get a bus or train or hitch but cycle. We new theres somthin wrong with da water in Nottingham.
Good Luck to You both from Robert and Your Gran

PS Hope the arse enhancing pants are giving enough protection i bet you stood up on the ferry
#08 Rich at 17:20 on 21.04.09

Chapeaux! gentlemen. Congratulations on a job well done. Looking forward to seeing some photo’s of the expedition.
#09 Dave Bowker at 17:22 on 21.04.09

Congrats guys. Have been following your progress with envy!

Look forward to hearing all about it soon.