This is all new to me. I've had to work hard, only being back into cycling for a year after a 30 year gap! I've had to rebuild my fairly new Halfords bike for the trip - new wheels, gears...... but the biggest task has been to rebuild me! I've lost 3 stone since January which is probably the single most important upgrade to my cycling! Not being a natural sportsman I have been taking every bit of advice going (except from my cousin, who, although a personal trainer, believes I should stand every day pretending to be a tree!) I have been following the on line recommended training regime since early July and can see very clear improvements. (I don't expire up moderate hills any more!) I trust the Lord as my personal trainer. We have regular strong winds here on the south coast - every time I give thanks through gritted teeth that He knows I need the resistance training! Also whenever I get time for a long ride I regularly end up very wet! (There is no such thing as gear that guarantees dry feet). I am looking forward very much to meeting everyone. My wife has made it clear that I owe her a trip to Paris as we have never been! The next few weeks promise to be hard. I am supposed to do two 25 mile and one 60 mile ride before next Wednesday! This week was 10, 20, 20, 50 (just.....argh, the wind!)