Paris to Hayling Bike-Ride 2004 NEW - Lots of pictures

- Sat 24th Jul 2004

Whilst not as hot and sunny as last year, the weather was remarkably kind to us this year, with some riders saying we had better cycling conditions, because we had a mixture of sun and overcast skies, with wind behind the five day riders as they cycled down the Cherbourg peninsula on the first morning, but all ending in glorious sunshine on the final day in Ste Adresse, by the sea near Le Havre.
All 150 riders completed the Ride, whether it was 428 miles over five days or 228 over the now established three day route. The ride was not without incident, of course, but - dare we say it again – many, even the normally reticent support crew, thought it was the ‘best ride ever’, possibly due to the especially good spirits and helpful nature of the riders this year.

The other good news is that sponsorship pledges already total more than £68,000, leading us to believe that we shall achieve a new record, surpassing the £70,000 raised in 2002. This will be added to the £583,000 already raised over the years of the Ride, encouraging us to speculate that we may reach $1,000,000 this year and then exceed one million euros in our 20th Ride next year. It is with great relief that we can announce that it looks like Barrie Dawson will be top fundraiser this year, having pledged more than £7,000 for head and neck cancer research. For the last few years Barrie has been a big fundraiser, but has always been the ‘bridesmaid and not the bride’ until now, this fact being celebrated on the return ferry, during the awards ceremony, by adorning the rugged Barrie with a bridal headdress and train. Last year’s top fundraiser, Mark Necus, pledged £5,000 for Barnados and newcomer Martin Hopper pledged £4,500 for Diabetes UK.

THE DAYS OF THE RIDE
89 riders set off from Portsmouth on Sunday morning, 11th July, for a daytime crossing to Cherbourg, once again mustering at the Ship & Castle in the Ferryport for an early breakfast, in an ominous light rain. The crossing was a good one and riders managed to control their intake of ‘refreshments’ more successfully than last year, allowing a visit to town in the evening for many. After an early start all riders embarked on their 100 miles to Caen, with the wind behind them as they made their way down Utah Beach. The new lunch stop after 60 miles was a great success, with riders mixing with the French lorry drivers and other customers at a routier, ‘Aux Amis de la Route’. After a very good day’s cycling, with an afternoon stop in Bayeux, all riders were in Caen by 7.30 pm, allowing an opportunity to have dinner in one of the city’s many restaurants.
The group was enlarged to 95 next morning, with 6 others, who had had a pretty wet week before, in northern France, joining us, including ‘two-way pioneer’ Norman Howison. Sadly, committee treasurer and Sussex Brewery team member Will Barnard had to return home, with the tragic news of the death of his father. It was a gloomy start, but it brightened up during the day, the heat making the hills on this day that much greater work, especially the ‘killer’ towards the end of the 100-mile day. Our watering hole in Glisolles, a few miles from our destination in Evreux, was once again well attended and bathed in early evening sun.
Next morning we were joined by 58 more cyclists, who had come overnight by coach and ferry from Portsmouth, via Le Havre, before we all rode together to Paris. The start was unfortunately delayed by the late arrival of the Keuhne + Nagel lorry, which was carrying their bikes. We eventually got underway, after unloading the 3-Dayers’s bikes from the lorry, with a super new stop for lunch, at the top of the last main hill before Paris, in the glider aerodrome restaurant. It was here that Steve Cook caught us up, having cycled all the way from Le Havre, accompanied by Tony Hart, Sarah Farmer and Peter Collins, from Evreux – Steve had a 135-mile day! We all reached Paris, in spite of some minor diversions, before 7pm.
The start from Paris next morning, enlivened by the 14-strong Nutcrackers team donning their colourful tutus, was rather more efficient than last year and we then had some pleasant cycling along the banks of the Seine, before leaving Paris behind us. The morning stop was as good as ever and the revived lunchstop at Notre Dame de l’Eglise, after 50 miles, was once more a great success. We were surprised at Muids (the site of much revelry by the Seine in the past at the now closed-down Chaumiere) to find tables and chairs set out, along with an outside bar, in the grounds of the church opposite the enterprising Madame Koleno’s Bar de la Poste. What followed was the celebrated ‘gentle rise through the trees’ hill, a few miles before the spectacular descent into Rouen on this 88-mile day.
The last day, mercifully a few miles shorter than in recent years, saw a return of the excellent morning stop in Yvetot and the new, very good, lunchstop at Saint Sauveur, under new ownership, once more generous with the local cider! And then, mercifully, it was again sunny when we arrived at Les Trois Pics restaurant and bar, by the sea in Ste Adresse, just outside Le Havre. Finishing the ride in sunshine makes a huge difference to everyone’s sense of completion, following the rain of the first two years there. Quite a few riders celebrated by having a dip in the sea, some not wearing a lot! In the evening, it was party time, with dinner all together at the Mercure, dancing afterwards to the disco music provided by young hero Scott Warner, the equipment brought over for the occasion. Quite a few riders made it a special occasion, having arranged to bring evening dress with them. Next morning it was an early ferry back to Portsmouth.

WELCOME BACK
We all cycled from Portsmouth with an excellent police escort, via Cosham and Farlington to the Island, over the bridge, once again spanning its length, all dressed in our new T-Shirts, then via Northney and West Lane, picking up the young Islanders’ music lorry for a short tour of the Island, before a splendid welcome at the Hayling School, to meet those left behind, as part of the school’s Fun Day. Barbara Upton, amongst others, particularly the prefects and pupils of The Hayling School, did a great job, ensuring a happy return to the Island. Darrell at the Hayling Billy had also been very helpful with the leaving arrangements and allowing cars to be left in the car park for the days of the ride.

BIKE RIDE AWARDS
We now present all the awards and trophies on the ferry, rather than at the Welcome Home get-together on the Island, since they only really mean a great deal to those on the ride itself. Once again it’s important to point out that there are no prizes for fast cycling or coming in first, even though you wouldn’t be able to tell by those who endeavour to arrive at their daily destination as early as possible, only to have to wait for their baggage, which is not promised to arrive before 5pm each day. In addition to the trophies, several ‘minor’ awards are presented on the ferry, including the ‘Rear of the Year’, judged by the male members of the committee, with suggestions welcome from other riders. This was deservedly won by Leeze Maynard, with unanimous approval. The CB award for the male version, judged by the female members of the support crew, was presented to Islander Mike Spratt. The major awards were then presented, all decided by the committee during a meeting on the ferry, with the exception of Fred Dyer’s ‘Support Crew Team of the Year’ cut-glass trophy, which was presented to the popular Maryon McQuade and Rod Elliott, in consultation with riders. The Bavent Cup group award went by unanimous approval to the Nutcrackers, who provided much entertainment, but there were honourable mentions for former winners, The Sussex Brewery Cycling Team, for Barrie Dawson’s Hoteline team, for the Winged Eagles and for Stella Burras and Trina Finney, as the ‘Oldest Barbies in Town’, all pretty in pink. President Pete McQuade, founder of the event, performing his usual role as presenter of the awards, announced that the winner of the McQuade Cup for Most Impressive Newcomer, in honour of his late mother, was 14-year old Scott Warner, who had changed from the 3-Day to the 5-Day event at short notice and easily kept up with the ‘big boys’. The Eberhardt Signs Most Improved Rider award deservedly went to Sally Griffiths, who now takes some keeping up with, but there mentions for Mick Stratton, Judith Strickland and Jenny Phelps (again). The Oracle Proof That You Can award was presented to Helen Thornton-Turp (HTT), who suffered an injury to her ankle when her bike fell on her, but still managed to finish, despite the bruises and swelling. Also mentioned were Ruth Parke, the ‘Girls in Black’ and Simon Walsh. 68-year old Ron Spencer reluctantly accepted the new Montfort Veteran’s Cup, Ernie Bateman now having retired and retaining the old version. The Reg Beacher award for special endeavour was presented to Peter Collins, who was a great help with the younger riders.


Bernie Meager, who was helped along by Pascal Pichon in the completion of the 5-day ride, also got a special mention The Citron du Tour award has been renamed the ‘Value Added Trophy’ and was presented to Malcolm Emery for his cross-dressing antics on day four. Special awards were presented to 14-year olds Scott Warner and Chris McQuade, youngest riders on the 5- and 3-Day rides respectively and to 15-year old Shona Hunter, youngest lady ever on the ride. Chairman Paul Fisher was presented with some commemorative pictures of the ride, thanking him for his long service as chairman, together with a collection amongst the riders.The top fundraiser will be presented with the new trophy at the charities evening in March. All awards will be re-presented at the Reunion in October. However, everyone deserves recognition for the work and effort put in to make this once again a special year.

SUPPORT CREW
Having said that everyone deserves recognition, special mention should definitely be made of the wonderful support crew, always there when you need them, providing water, energy supplement, bananas, sweets, Tessa’s flapjacks, spares and careful attention when most needed.

They included, in no particular order: Dave Collins, Kev Crocker, Paul Daynes, Rod Elliott, Maryon McQuade, Paul Edwards, Paul Hughes, team leader John Adcock (Captain Haddock), Chip Carpenter, Dave and Kev Sanders, Pete Warren and Rowena Spencer, Mike Hankins and Catherine Fuller, Steve Hollis and Mike Burbridge.

SPONSORS
We also wish to thank our sponsors, in some cases whether they know it or not! P&O Ferries, in particular, deserve a massive vote of thanks for their contribution to the success of this year’s event. P&O Ferries once again provided us with very favourable rates. The contribution of T-Shirt sponsors is also always vital: Major Sponsors were HSBC Bank, Burras Ltd and MatrixOne. Also sponsoring were: Bosham Industries, C.J. Driscoll Chartered Accountant, Gable Roofing, Hayling Hardware, Hayling Property Management, Hayling Window Centre, Kezzmas, Large and Gibson, Lawrence Clarke Ltd, Morris Crocker, Newtown House Hotel, P. M. Leisure Homes Ltd, R.J. Morris Jewellers. We also wish to thank The Sussex Brewery, The Ship and Castle, The Hayling School, Langstone Technology Park, Hayden’s Garage, Hellyer's Coaches, Mark Cook, The Hayling Billy, Kuehn & Nagel, Richard ‘Great Radios’ Mumford, Tesco Express, Vodafone, Scott Hodges and Emsworth and District Motor Services Ltd for their various contributions. Apologies if anyone feels that they have been left out!

NEXT YEAR
We are already planning next year’s celebratory 20th ride, which we want to make very special, with a number of innovations. Entries are already flooding in, so book your place now! New entry forms available later in the year.

Phone enquiries to 023 9246 1412 or by post to Paris to Hayling, PO Box 30, Hayling Island, Hants, PO11 9UD. Mobile – 07770-888501.

By forum user, PaulFisher