Paris to Blackpool Tower 2 Tower Cycling Challenge

Memorybits team member Jon Lee is going to be cycling the 450 miles from The Eiffel Tower in Paris, to Blackpool Tower to raise money for Rock Fm's Cash for kids charity in Lancashire.

Cash for Kids fundraise throughout the year to improve the quality of life for disabled and disadvantaged children, and young people in Lancashire.

We've already added £1500 to his charity and would really appreciate any further donations to his good cause!

Day 1 (Sat 22nd Aug 2009) - Travel to Paris

We meet in London in order to catch the Eurostar to Paris, arriving mid afternoon. Some of our support Team will be meeting us in Paris at our Hotel, as all the riders will have transported here in readiness for our challenge tomorrow.

We have an event briefing this evening before we retire as we leave very early tomorrow in order to avoid the hustle and bustle of the rush hour traffic.

Day 2 (Sun 23rd Aug 2009) - Eiffel Tower to Evreux

An early breakfast awaits us this morning as we aim to be headed out in the saddle for no later than 7am.

We cycle eastwards out of Paris towards the suburbs - it will a good 15 miles approximately until we are out of the built up areas and enjoying the fantastic cycling that France has to offer.

After our lunch in the town of Mantes-La-Ville, we push in cycling towards Evreux - our overnight stop.

Cycling distance - approx. 66 miles

Day 3 (Mon 24th Aug 2009) - Evreux to Caen

We push on with our challenge heading towards the port of Caen. This is where we will the ferry over to Portsmouth. Our lunch today will be near the town of Lisieux.

Once in Portsmouth, we cycle the short distance to our Hotel, where we overnight.

Cycling distance - approx. 75 miles

Day 4 (Tues 25th Aug 2009) - Portsmouth to Oxford

Back in the saddle, we push on with our challenge as head towards he charming city of Oxford. It's not long before we're enjoying quiet country roads of beautiful English countryside.

Following our lunch stop east of Reading, we continue cycling North and finally reach Oxford - a long day in the saddle today, but well worth it!

Cycling distance - approx. 90 miles

Day 5 (Wed 26th Aug 2009) - Oxford to Worcester

We're now well and truly getting into our challenge, as we are now just over half way!!

Again, we follow the nice backcountry lanes and enjoy our open-air buffet lunch.

We reach Worcester after about 58 miles, which makes a nice short day after our hard efforts yesterday.

Cycling distance - approx.58 miles

Day 6 (Thurs 27th Aug 2009) - Worcester to Chester

After breakfast at our Hotel we set off for another challenging 90-mile day heading towards the historic city of Chester.

Our lunch stop for today will around the area of Shrewsbury.

Cycling distance - approx. 90 miles

Day 7 (Fri 28th Aug 2009) - Chester to Blackpool Tower

The final day of our Tower to Tower Cycle Challenge! We push on North out of Chester, by passing Runcorn and up toward Preston.

We cycle as a group down the waterfront parade of Blackpool, with the sight of the Tower spurring us on with encouragement.

It's not too long before we reach the Tower and enjoy a champagne finish.

Cycling distance = approx. 72 miles