Epilogue and pictures

I'm properly back in the UK now, getting used to normal existence again, and its time I finished off my blog and gave blog-fans and sponsors some good photos to look at. These should now all be on my flickr website; feel free to browse after reading this.

I would also like to thank those of you who have sponsored me cycling across France to go to the Alps. The total mileage was approximately 670 miles. The longest day was 110 miles. I also averaged just over a 100 miles a day for 6 days continusously through from London to Annecy, before I had a rest day and a shorter final day to Chamonix. That was probably the hardest piece of endurance I have ever done. However knowing that I wanted to complete it and raise some money for the Princes Trust was a big motivator for me. Thanks again for all your support and donations.

I have put considerable time and energy into writing this blog and sorting out the photos, in addition to the exertions of actually cycling across France unaided. For any of you who have enjoyed reading the blog and who enjoy the photos, but have not found the time or effort to make a donation, now is the time to click on the link to the right and show your support. To use Mrs Doyle's memorable words: go on, go on, go on!!

For those who know little of the work of the Princes Trust, here is an example of the sort of help they can give to young people struggling to find a way to get their lives on track:

http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/case_study_2009-10/warren_christian.aspx

Apart from the Get Into programmes, the Trust run various other programmes to help young people in need:

Team: a 12-week personal development course, offering work experience, qualifications, practical skills, community projects and a residential week.

Enterprise: provides financial assistance and support to young unemployed people trying to start their own business.

Community Cash awards: up to £3,000 for young people to design and set up projects on a voluntary basis that will benefit their local community.

The Princes Trust offers real support and assistance to young people who maybe haven't had the good fortune of many of us early on in life, and who just need a bit of help to enable them to take some positive steps for themselves. I hope those who are able to can contribute something to this excellent charity.


Alas, that is the end of my little trip across France and up some mountains. Life returns to the normality of a house with a patio garden and the company of friends and family, which is very satisfying in itself, albeit with my muscles slightly more in shape than they were, and some new skills and interests acquired. But inside me, there is also the satisfaction that a great adventure has been had, a once in a lifetime perhaps, which will be a fond memory for many years. I'm sure that when chance permits, another adventure may be waiting round the corner somewhere, but until such time I bid you farewell.

James