After three-and-a-half of the most exhausting, rewarding, painful, funny, emotionally draining, gorgeous, very long and hot days, we arrived in Paris.

This has been an incredible experience for all four of us. We were with over a hundred people, all riding for their own charities. Some, very experienced club cyclists, on super road racers, aiming to beat thier target times. Some, really inexperienced riders, on bikes more suited to just pottering down to the shops. Each of us had our own goals and each of us had our own battles, what with the temperatures soaring to over 100 degrees and more that 4,500 metres of altitude climbed (if you thought Northern France is flat, you’re wrong). But the arrival in Paris, riding down the Champs Elysees, along the Seine and finishing under the Eiffel tower on a glorous Saturday afternoon, and being cheered on all the way by the French, made the whole thing worth every bead of sweat.

This post is to thank all of you who have given so generously towards the creation of a Chickenshed theatre company in South West London. On behalf of Christine, Tara, Maxine and myself, very very many thanks. Your donations have nearly reached the £10,000 target and that was one of the major inspirations that kept us turning the pedals at times when we doubted that we had the strength.

Of course, if you haven’t got around to it yet but would like to donate, you can still go to our JustGiving page.

Again, very many thanks
Paul