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dr ismail mustapha | profile | all galleries >> London-to-Paris cycle ride, 6-10 April 2006 >> London-Paris cycle Part 1 tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

London-Paris cycle Part 1

Cycling in England and France in April (with winter weather) is very different from rides in hot weather in Malaysia. The headwind is stronger and apart from the windchill effect, also robs you the speed you can sustain. Your appetite becomes big, because you need the energy to overcome the cold. Temperature was below 10 deg C, perhaps around 6.
The iterinary: we didn't want to cycle from the heart of London, so we took a short train ride to Rochester from Victoria. But at Rochester, we couldn't get off the coach because the platform was too short and we were at the rear coaches. Instead we got off the next stop at Chatham. From Chatham we began pedalling to Dover passing through Canterbury. Didn't have lunch until 2:00 pm 11km from Dover, at a small cafe for motorcyclists. When you cool down, you really COOOOL down. Had muscle cramps after lunch, but thankfully recovered quickly. We arrived at 3:30 but the ferry wasn't until 5pm. Not that long a wait, because we had to cycle a long way from the ticket office to the ferry itself! Going through immigrations, checkpoints, etc. First night was at a Youth Hostel in Calais, and dinner was on loads of pomme frites. Total distance Chatham-Calais: 95km.
Next day was a 130km ride to Abbeville. On occassions there were light drizzles, by our Malaysian standards, only "excess water vapour". Fahmi's skin on his fingers were cracking up because of the cold and friction on the STI levers, thankfully we managed to find suitable winter cycling gloves. Cheaper in France than in England.
Meeting point at London Victoria station
Meeting point at London Victoria station		 Headband covering the ears is a must for one accustomed to hot climates
Headband covering the ears is a must for one accustomed to hot climates		 Chatham--point where we began pedalling. Well, not really. We cycled from St Pancreas to Victoria. No problem London traffic.
Chatham--point where we began pedalling. Well, not really. We cycled from St Pancreas to Victoria. No problem London traffic.		 Outside Chatham railway station
Outside Chatham railway station
Somewhere in Canterbury enroute to Dover. BTW, from left, Hadi, Justin, yours truly.
Somewhere in Canterbury enroute to Dover. BTW, from left, Hadi, Justin, yours truly.		 Waiting in the cycling lane for loading into ferry at Dover
Waiting in the cycling lane for loading into ferry at Dover		 Cycling up the ramp to board the ferry to Calais. Cyclists were first to embark.
Cycling up the ramp to board the ferry to Calais. Cyclists were first to embark.		 In the ferry waiting for all the vehicles to clear before cyclists can get out. Cyclists were last to disembark.
In the ferry waiting for all the vehicles to clear before cyclists can get out. Cyclists were last to disembark.
France! Have to cross the lane to the right hand side.
France! Have to cross the lane to the right hand side.		 Where's the Youth Hostel in Calais?
Where's the Youth Hostel in Calais?		 Locking up for the night
Locking up for the night		 We had two people to a room. More privacy than the 4 bunk-room in London St Pancreas
We had two people to a room. More privacy than the 4 bunk-room in London St Pancreas
Agricultural land from Calais to Abbeville, 132km. Photo taken while riding, one hand on handlebar, 1 hand on camera.
Agricultural land from Calais to Abbeville, 132km. Photo taken while riding, one hand on handlebar, 1 hand on camera.		 Enjoying the relatively quiet roads
Enjoying the relatively quiet roads		 IMG_0041.jpg
IMG_0041.jpg		 Time for short rest; some water and powerbar (expired by 6 months, BTW)
Time for short rest; some water and powerbar (expired by 6 months, BTW)
Look at the gloomy French sky.
Look at the gloomy French sky.		 Looked like I was the only one who felt cold. What do you expect when I had the fattest heaviest tyres and heaviest load.
Looked like I was the only one who felt cold. What do you expect when I had the fattest heaviest tyres and heaviest load.		 Our bicycles resting comfortably in hotel in Abbeville. More space than we have in our bedrooms.
Our bicycles resting comfortably in hotel in Abbeville. More space than we have in our bedrooms.		 Early morning ride out of Abbeville
Early morning ride out of Abbeville

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dr ismail mustapha18-Apr-2006 07:38
Normally, I would chose that lens, but thought that wet conditions would require a more weather resistant lens. I also thought of the monuments in Paris which would benefit from the wider angle. For sure, I would not carry a second lens.
Ian Morehouse18-Apr-2006 07:25
Nice series of photos given the conditions, but couldn't you have found a lighter lens eg the 24-85 while not a L, it weighs considerably less.I have trouble riding 10km, not enough practice to get beyond.

Ian M
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