We left bright and ready from the basement car park up a ridiculously steep ramp (I walked!) into a drizzly Paris morning. The morning traffic was, ahem, entertaining; and the pavé even more so, but after a few miles we arrived at our departure point (!).
Then followed the usual (for me) first day experience of a Big Battlefield Bike Ride – a bit of hanging around. Because of the likely dignitaries who would be coming, the riders need to be there in plenty of time. But to keep us jolly us we had a French military band who kept us entertained – their choice of tunes was certainly geared to their audience!
A few shots from around L\’Hotel
The dignitaries arrived and the speeches start
It was now only a few more miles to the hotel, and finally I arrived. To find I had travelled 7 miles further than I needed and was at the wrong hotel! A lift back from the DA support crew and straight into dinner.
Unfortunately time was short and I was rushed to the table and spent the next hour or two dining in some very wet cycling gear. It seemed nothing at the time, but that was going to come back and bite me later on…
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