Day 1 - Heros amongst us - Dieppe to Gisor (113 km)

Today, we ride with royalty (or as close to that as I will ever experience).  We find out today that one of our riders, Gary Shaughnessy, has been named as a Commander of the British Empire, an extremely prestigious honour to recognize his tireless charitable work in the UK and beyond.   I suspect that I will have ample opportunity to discuss this humble and exceptional man over the coming days, and we are off to a great start

This was our first real riding day. Dieppe is a WW2 battleground of particular importance to Canadians, as many lives were lost here in a failed coastal attack against the Nazis.  Perhaps fueled by vengeance, duty and croissant, I was intent that a Canadian would take the high ground today. We start off with a long steep hill, which I make more difficult by scaling the wrong pitch until chased down by John. Still, not a single Canadian casualty was recorded.  

We ride for 40km on the Avenue Verte, an old rail line that is now an exquisitely paved cycling path headed straight towards Paris.  Along the way, we pass small villages, agricultural fields and a captivating Chateau.  I ride most of this route with John, who proves to be a wonderful companion, and we are able to plot out many issues and solutions to world problems.  I really should record them here, but time is too tight.  I'm sure that I will remember them.

I feel strong today,

and though I had started the day with aspirations of making it a fast-ride day with John, I wind up among the last to finish. Part of this was due to getting lost, as my spider-vein-like Strava painting will show in the area approaching Bezu-la-Foret.  But I also found some purpose for the day.  Along the route, I chance upon Geoffry, Julia, Allison and Roland, who are lost and a little frustrated and drawing on my Rigid Rider instincts, I resolve to stay with them in case they were in need of some support. In the end, they were fine.  In fact, they were better than fine; they were awesome.  Still, I have ample time to chat with Roland, Paul and especially Julia.  

We treat ourselves to a fine dinner and fun conversation, and I am struck by how much promise of fun and adventure awaits.