Day 2

The Best Laid Plans

With a 111km to cycle and a few significant hills ahead of us, we started the day with a plan. A 7am start with a breakfast stop planned for a couple of hours later. Foiled at the first hurdle. The storm that had been forecast, had already broken and by the time we had got our bikes, set up for the day, we were soaking wet. I struggled to maintain my posture and balance on my bike from the outset and so there was a significant delay while I took more medication and waited for them to take effect. Thankfully during the delay, the rain stopped. Having set off for a second time, within the first few miles, I had a puncture in one of my new tubeless tyres. A second puncture when we resorted to YouTube videos to learn how to use the repair kit we had brought with us. Our satisfaction at having resolved the problem was short lived when, a few miles later, the repair didn’t hold and my tyre flattened completely. Steve, our team leader to the rescue with the age old inner tube remedy and we were on our way, some 90 minutes later than planned.

We found ourselves back to quiet country lanes with the route bypassing Paris to the north. At one point we were within 25 miles of the Eiffel Tower but in a completely different world. Meaux, our destination on the banks of the River Marne in the Îsle-de-France region seemed a long way off.

The day was long and hot and despite our 7am start, we arrived at our hotel at 6.15pm. With few places open on a Sunday, we didn’t manage to have a decent lunch stop, so we were tired and hungry. Thanks to Julia for her support and company and Steve, our team leader for leading us to our hotel. No sooner had we locked up our bikes for the night and the heavens opened to the most heavy of thunderstorms.

Too tired to do anything, with limited choice near the hotel but knowing I had to eat, I devoured a take away burger, fries and ice cream and promptly fell asleep.