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“Home to Rome”
Trish and John Manners are cycling from St Albans to St Peter's... that's 2500 km for children with arthritis!!!
"It is now 5 years since our nephew James died age 16 after a
hip replacement needed as a result of severe arthritis. Over that time over £60000 has been raised to help the
thousands of other children that suffer from this painful and crippling disease."
The
Childrens Arthritis Trust supports Great Ormond Street Hospital And University
College Hospital where these children are treated and cared for. The Trust is improving the care and treatment of these young people by providing funds for:
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- A specialist nurse to give the care they need
- A research nurse to advance the use of new drugs
- A physio skilled in treating arthritis in children
The ride...Leaving
St Albans, 22 May and arriving in Rome, 20 June (the Feast of St Alban).
Read on to follow Trish and John's progress.
Day 1 (22nd May 2006) Looking down from the bedroom window I can see
that the Breakfast News Team have just arrived. Trisha is brushing whats
left of her hair and rapidly applying makeup. That weather girl with the
oojahs has also turned up to confirm that... yes it is raining. What
a miserable morning!!!! There is a big crowd gathering in London Road waving
flags and cheering, so that should make us feel better about getting wet
on day 1, but it can only get better can't it? Headed to just South
of Maidstone today and then Dover tomorrow crossing to France on Wednesday.
Later, John wrote... 87 miles - wind force something outrageous -
you won't believe this - no rain all day!! Spent the night in a circular
room with a jacuzzi - oast house.
Day 2 50 miles - wind behind mostly - and it wasn't me! First big one today
- coming out of Folkstone - gear no 24 or 1 whichever you prefer - anyway
there were no more left! Visited the battle of Britain memorial at Capel
le Ferne then a wonderful 3.5 mile downhill into Dover. Legs are knackered
already and need a touch of Savlon on the sensitive parts.
Day 3 30miles Our first day in France was awful a strong headwind and nearly 6 hours to cover the mileage
Day 4 Today was better very low cloud visibility 100 yards but a french bank
holiday so roads deserted. Met up with cousin Nigel in Amien. Stayed overnight
in Villers Cotteret.
Day 5 Grey and overcast again but wind favourable
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I didn’t know children could get arthritis!!!
Most of us assume arthritis is a disease of the old. Did you know almost
1 in every 1000 children and young people suffer with rheumatological problems
in the UK? The medical term is juvenile (this means under the age of 16) idiopathic
(this means the cause is not known) arthritis (inflammation of the joints)
or JIA. There are several different types of JIA of varying degrees of severity.
What is C-A-T?
C-A-T, the Childrens' Arthritis Trust is a registered charity,
which raises money to help overcome these handicaps to the better treatment
of young people with JIA. Our efforts are currently focussed on University
College London and Great Ormond Street Hospitals (UCLH and GOSH respectively)
paediatric and adolescent rheumatology departments. Children with JIA are
treated at GOSH progressing to UCLH at puberty (often a daunting experience
rather like moving from primary to secondary education). We are already providing
financial support to appoint a clinical nurse specialist to join the rheumatology
team under the leadership of Professor Patricia Woo, CBE
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Day 6 Heading for Esternay via Chateau Thierrey. Stopped at USA war memorial
where they were preparing for a service the following day. In Chateau
Thierry lunch at Hotel de Ville bistro where the owner could do amazing bird
impressions. 4 young USA marines based in Germany there for the service.
Very polite calling Trisha Maam!!! Esternay was a DIY dinner from the local
shops as no restaurant open!!!
Day 7 On to St Florentin. Weather warm and sunny in the pm and
had picnic as again no restaurants open as it was Sunday. St Florentin
was well worth a visit and since it was Mother's day there was a special
menu at the hotel for Trisha. (FACT - All French towns are either on
a hill or in a hole in the ground.;) We have had some heavy climbing although
today was better - sometimes several miles up. All fit and well but
twinges here and there though sensitive parts getting better. (FACT
- French motorists are so very good at giving a wide berth to cyclists -
UK could take note.)
Day 8 We are now in Montbard somewhere around Dijon, around 450 miles from
St Albans. We were soaked for the first time today ...2 hours rain and feet
swimming in water.
Day 9 was In Autun, a lovely Roman City where we had a rest day and it was only 9 degrees and really cold.
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To download a copy of a letter Trish and John sent to their friends .. click here
Please please give generously
there are lots of ways to do this
And as well are your monetary donations, please keep Trish and John in your
prayers as they face a gruelling and challenging journey!!
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Day 10 (31st May) was to Marcigny and stayed in a lovely house with a swimming pool which we declined to try!!
Day 11 We are in Feurs having come through the Gorge de la Loire with tremendous views and hard climbs
Day 12 No report
Day 13 48 miles From Feurs to Bourg Argental. The sun has got his hat on
hip hip hip hooray!!! Cold but sunny. Long fast run into St Etienne on
Sunday - early lunch but apprehensive as the Col de la Republique was next
4000 feet above sea level; Local cyclist said trés difficile and hotel receptionist
grimmaced and made steep hand movements!!! First mile was hard but easier
from then on but still wobbly legs at the top; Very fast run down dodging
motorbikes out for a Sunday ride. We arrived at a lovely chateau B& B
for beer and an excellent meal - best so far for me.
Day 14 43 miles to Romans sur Isere Parted company with cousin Nigel who is also raising lots of money for CAT
- he headed for Lyon and the bike bus as he has to go back to work; he has
been great company and wore the yellow jersey all the time as he was 14 years
faster than us old ones. Little to offer and not a tourist destination!
Day
15 just over 30 miles- a short day to Crest Arrived at 2.30 pm to find the
hotel closed till 6.0 as another public holiday It is now trés hot
25 degrees and knees are brown and arms burnt We now picnic for lunch by
roadside;
Day 16 56 miles to Vaison la Romaine. Really hot now with shade
being much appreciated and water consumed by the gallon. Eating is
becoming a way of life and we are permanently hungry as we burn off calories
at a prolific rate. Today was a long steady 15 mile climb to Bourdeaux
and then 3.5 miles up to 2300 feet - tough going with lots of hairpin bends;
Views fantastic; lavender fields vines cherries etc. Mont Ventoux appeared
ahead and tomorrow is the day!!!!!
Day 17 Early breakfast cloudless sky and no wind - the
first time since we left St Albans; Rode the 7 miles to Maucelene which
is the starting point for the West side climb to Mont Ventoux. Trisha was
very nervous as this is robably the most difficult climb of the Tour de France.
Off we go 14 miles to the top and immediately into lowest gears and they
stayed like that as this mountain is far harder than I had anticipated as
there is no respite - just 1 or 2 short less steep parts - otherwise it was
12% for very long stretches; You just put your head down and pedal with your
legs feeling like they are completely wrecked. It took nearly 3 hours of
this torture to get to the top as it is hairpins all the way up. Suddenly
you are looking down on the mountains around you and you look up and see
the tower on the top and all the remaining zig-zagging road with cyclists
toiling up and it stikes fear in your heart as you know there are still 4
miles to go and your legs are like jelly despite frequent sugar supplements.
Then you are there and the view is spectacular and there are dozens of cyclists
and families all celebrating their achievement. Still no wind despite the
altitude of around 6300 feet having climbed 4800 feet as the start is at
about 1500 feet. It was well worth the effort and a great sense of achievement.
It was absolutely freezing on the way down past Tommy Simpson’s memorial
and onto Sault overnight. Having raced down for nearly an hour you are completely
unprepared for Sault which sits on a little hill and you have to climb about
half mile with legs hurting like you wouldn’t believe. Then finding lunch
was almost impossible as we were late for France.
Day 18 48 hard miles Left Sault which is at around 750 meteres and guess
what up again and up and down until long down to Banon. Then
onto Manosque and across the Durance river. Then at the end of a long
hot day an awful climb in hot sun to Greoux les Bains for 2 night stop. Trisha
had a little tantrum as a result of blood sugar drop but a coke put that
right. Greoux is a Roman town with a spa but they only do treatments so gave
that a miss and spent the afternoon at the hotel pool after visit to the
laundry shop as things were getting smelly! A lovely town with lots of restaurants
shops etc well worth a visit.
Day 19 no report
Day 20 59 miles What a wonderful start 22 miles to Moutiere St Something for early lunch
and relaxed about the rest of the day as only 37 miles to go and still before
midday. Lovely run to Lac St Croix at the end of the Gorge du Verdon.
Day 21 57 miles Decided to take the route Napoleon an N Road to the coast as it was Sunday.
Wonderful views. Up to 1150 meters and then down to sea level so it was down
down down nearly all day to Cagnes sur Mer where we stayed in a B&B in
the old town on top of the hill. Fantastic views over the med from B&B
terrace. Excellent meal in the Roman village.
Day 22 47 miles On through Nice along Promenade des Anglais through pretty little towns including
Beaulieu then into Monaco and Monte Carlo for lunch on the Beach having persuaded
the heavies at an exclusive beach club to let us use the loos. Lots of very
expensive cars! Then into Italy and Ventimiglia the longest shopping Street
in the World? San Remo B&B all by remote control by a disembodied voice
on the end of the telephone.
Day 23 71 miles Through Imperia a congested dirty smelly city but then in to lovely seaside
towns in including Alassio where we stopped for lunch in a beach front Restaurant
run by an Italian with a Mancunian wife and daughter living in Windsor!
Lots of headlands either through, round or up and over but generally a good
day until Sat Nav took us on a wild goose chase to the address I had given
it. Finally found it and was in a family’s flat in a block on the 6 floor
but good to see how they lived.
Day 24 70 miles Genova - a terrible sprawling City which we had to navigate and Sat Nav worked
well except we were just about to go on the autostrada when we were stopped
by the polizia. Got back on track but it was an arduous stressful time through
heavy traffic on major roads and included underpasses. The afternoon was
much better with lovely villages by the sea but several testing headlands
where you knew the only way out was up. Reached Sestri Levante to discover
B&B was 3 miles out of town and no restaurants so found a nice hotel
in the town. Had meal with a woman from Peterborough living in Switzerlad
who gave us her life history. The Owner looked like a Scot, was named Laurie
but claimed to be Italian!! -and he was a fan of Fairport Convention.
Day 25 82 miles!! Peterborough woman turned up to see us off which was lovely. Early start
as long day and meeting daughter Jane in Lucca with her bike. 2 hours later
only 1 miles on!! What a climb from sea level to 615 metres. And still 70
to go! Downhill for 8 miles like you can't find in the UK Then uphill and
we were thinking " what have we let ourselves in for here" but it only lasted
half mile and then it was downhill or flat for the next 60 miles - what
a relief!! Just as we were thinking a beer is around the corner a nasty climb much like
ditchling Beacon to get into Lucca. Found Jane in the main square and the
beer was wonderful. A great day after a poor start. But at the top of the
climb was a lovely place to be - no traffic, fabulous views to the sea and
the autostrada snaking through the valley hundreds of feet below. Rest day
today in the lovely town of Lucca before departing tomorrow(Sat) for San
Gimigano.
Day 26
Day 27 48 Miles After a well earned rest in Lucca which is well worth a visit
we set off for St Gimignano a hilltop town renowned for wine and towers.
Day was overc ast but warm and we had a picnic lunch by the roadside as we
never seem to be in the right place at the right time for lunch. St gimy
can be seen from miles away but there is a long steady climb to get up there
and it doesnt take you directly there so it doesn't seem to get any closer
despite the effort. Jane was on her first day cycling and got a sugar wobbly
on the way up and got rather cross with this illusion. Well worth the effort
as blue skies and lovely photos.
Day 28 Heading for San quirrico today. Downhill from San Gimy but rather
hilly North of Sienna which is on a hill with a lovely old city but no time
to stop. Lots of Suday cyclists out in their team gear and flashy bikes -
posing I think you could call it! Then a long procession of vintage motorcycles
of to a rally in a village.
Another picnic! Then long hot sweaty climbs to San Q and Jane suffering from
heat and tiredness. Found our hotel and to our delight it had thermal baths,lovely
restaurant and rooms so hot baths including the waterfalls to massagege the
muscles. Absolutey wonderful and just what the doctor ordered.
Day 29 60 miles Off to Viterbo today. Overcast but warm again. Long
climb to tunnel but a head wind developed of 25/30 mph and it was very hard.
But then a very long down and good steady riding for 20 miles until village
with sharp climb and picnic in Coop car park!!! Then onto Lake Bolseno which
Jane said was a sea not a lake. Then long climbs to Montefiascori - Mount
Fiasco - until a long run down to Viterbo and me with two wobblys and mars
bars and cokes. Eventually found B&B which was wonderful run by two sisters
one of whom was quickly named Sophia Loren. The house had been restored and
the furniture pictures ceilings were incredible.
Day 30 The last day!!! 60 miles Our route to Rome took us to the west
side of the lake above Rome. On the Ss2 at first which was very busy but
then onto much quieter roads and a lovely run to Rome but very hot. 20 litres
of water during the day. Another picnic lunch. Heading for the Vatican City
and arrived to go all the way round the walls trying to find St Peters Square.Within
sight of the walls after 1500 miles Trisha managed to clip a badly parked
car(typical in Rome) and found herself trapped against it and ended up with
bruised knee and scraped car Arrived there at the fountain in the square
at exactly the same time as a Dutch couple who had cycled 2000k against our
2500k but congratulations all round and reciprocal pictures. Collected tickets
for the general audience with the Pope and then had to cycle 2 miles across
Rome to B&B which was a nightmare. Cobbled streets are not easy to cycle
on and the traffic was horrendous as it was "going home time" and is was
hot hot hot. Then discovered we didn't know where our B&B was and spent
an hour or so on the phone to home searching e amils and the net for the
place where we are staying. All ended well!! Total miles 1535.
Day 31 No miles In the Square at 8.30 for a good seat.Hot. Eventually the
Holy Father arrives and multilanguage service with good photo opportunities.
Jane had brought out a framed photo of James with explanatory caption and
all items like this were blessed by the Pope but as it was an outside audience
with thousands of people he wsa not accepting gifts. But afterwards we were
able to take it to the palace and were priveleged to see some of the most
magnificent rooms staircases and pictures by Rossi as we delivered James
to a lovely Irish priest where we wrote a covering note to the Holy Father.
The Picture was then delivered to his staff and we were assured he would
acknowledge our gift in writing. So james is now happily esconced in the
Vatican and that really was a wonderful end to our marathon cycle trip.
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© Ss Alban & Stephen
Catholic Church 2006
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