Charity Cycling Oxford | Cycle4Sobell

Despite a wildcat strike by French dock workers, stupidly-hilly terrain in northern France and temperatures that could cook eggs on lycra, the cycle4sobell team successfully completed its 250-mile charity cycle-ride from Oxford to Paris and raised £16,000 in aid of the Sobell House Hospice. And we did it in a ride-time of just 21 hours. Not bad for a bunch of school-run Dads.

cycle4sobell at the Arc De Triomphe finish line

It was quite a ride. We started with a spectacular send off from the children and parents of St Ebbe’s Primary School in Grandpont and with a full Police escort – obviously to avoid our being mobbed and our clothes torn for souvenirs…

The journey to Portsmouth was like an extended training session and went according to plan. Even the ferry crossing to Le Havre was uneventful until, that is, we were told that the French dock-workers had set up a blockade and nobody was getting out of the port. Undeterred and in true team spirit, we left Tim our support driver behind and sneaked our bikes through the port-authority offices and out of a side door.

The first leg in France was incredibly tough with 90 miles of unexpectedly long, hard and frequent climbs that really put a strain on our fitness and abilities as cyclists. We’d optimistically thought that the route to Paris was relatively flat; apparently it is, but only from Calais.

Oh, and by this point, Tim had been released, which was nice, suffering only slightly from Stockholm Syndrome.

The final day was an absolute joy. Criss-crossing the countryside in glorious sunshine through postcard-perfect French villages. Apart from a few comedy falls from team members who couldn’t (or didn’t know how to) unclip their feet from their pedals, we reached our goal on Saturday on a very hot Parisian afternoon – unscathed, exhausted but elated.

We even summoned the necessary courage to negotiate the chaotic roundabout that encircles the Arc de Triomphe, before weaving in and out of gridlocked traffic on the Champs Elysees – the nearest we could get to a Tour de France finish!

We managed to complete the route in a total riding time of 21 hours and believe me, there were some seriously sore legs and even sorer backsides by the time we finished! Check out our Facebook page for photos and video clips!

The cycle4sobell team would like to thank all the individuals and businesses that have kindly sponsored us. Collectively we’ve raised nearly £16,000 including gift aid, fast surpassing our initial target of £10,000. Every penny of which will go towards helping the wonderful staff of Sobell House to provide the necessary care and support to their patients and their families.

It’s not too late to make your donation count! Just visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/cycle4sobell – every pound helps!

Cycle4sobell celebration bash – reserve your place now!

We’re holding a cycle4sobell celebration bash on the evening of Saturday 19th June 2010 at an exclusive venue in Central Oxford. All proceeds to the Sobell House Hospice. Everyone is welcome but tickets are limited. If you’d like to join us, please reserve your place by emailing fund-raising@cycle4sobell.org.uk with your details. We expect tickets to be £10 – £15 per head. Full details soon.