So that's it, we've finished. We didn't try to complete the exact route of the final stage, the route-finding would become incredibly difficult with one way systems etc, so we approximated a loop round southern Paris suburbs and then began our triumphant procession down the Seine towards the Eiffel Tower and the Champs Elysees.The Pros don't really treat most of the final stage as a race either, rather they ride slowly and pass champagne around the bunch 
and toast the winner. So we stopped at bar near the tower and bought a bottle of champagne for a proper celebration.
Bizarrely, as soon as we stopped underneath the Eiffel Tower we became the centre of attention and random tourists wanted to take photos of us in our yellow jerseys etc.
Emma was waiting at the Arc de Triomphe, so we circled the Place de Concorde and started on our one lap of the finishing straight.
The traffic was a little heavy, but we finally, after 3500 km's of riding in all weather conditions, arrived at the finish.
and toast the winner. So we stopped at bar near the tower and bought a bottle of champagne for a proper celebration.Bizarrely, as soon as we stopped underneath the Eiffel Tower we became the centre of attention and random tourists wanted to take photos of us in our yellow jerseys etc.
Emma was waiting at the Arc de Triomphe, so we circled the Place de Concorde and started on our one lap of the finishing straight.
The traffic was a little heavy, but we finally, after 3500 km's of riding in all weather conditions, arrived at the finish. We attracted another small crowd taking photos as we popped the champagne, hung a Tour de France flag off some barriers and took some publicity shots of ourselves for our sponsors.
It felt awesome to have finished....London to Paris the long way round. Handshakes and congratulations all round as we thought about what we had achieved.
The two young Gendarmes who then turned around up around 15 minutes later weren't quite in the same celebratory mood, they tersely advised us that bikes weren't allowed in the middle of the Arc de Triomphe and then enquired as to whether I was drinking alcohol ! Protestations that we we had just ridden the 'Grand Boucle' and deserved some slack got nowhere... essentially we got 'moved on' in a rather ignominous style.
So here endeth letour2007.com. Well almost....we are now going to sample lots of Parisien beer and not wonder about the route profile tomorrow, for a change.
Before we go, another huge thank-you to the many, many people who have supported us along the way, through donations, offers of services, words of encouragement, blog comments and guestbook entries. It has been fantastic knowing that we have the support that we have had, it has made a huge difference and I doubt that I will personally experience it again. Credits will be posted when we return, and our most valued fan announced.
So it is all over.....a crazy adventure that most people quite wisely doubted could be achieved. Everything has gone as smoothly as we could have wished and we are all now fit(ter), slim(mer) and tanned and not looking forward to getting on a bike for a while.
It has been fantastic....soon it will all seem like a dream and we'll be back in the real world. But it was good while it lasted.
Au revoir (for now) from everyone at letour2007.com
Cheers
16 comments:
Congratulations!! What an epic event. Awed at those who attempted and amazed at those who completed.
Cheers from the States.
Clay
Hats off to you all, an achievement that truly justify's the 'awesome' tag. Something that will live with you forever and like a fine wine, just get better and better with age. Looking forward to hearing the unblogables.
Congratulations to you all. Kyle, your tenacity is amazing. Let thy body heal.
Bob W.
Well dane all of you. Can't wait to catch up with Matt and hear the real story behind Le Tour 2007. Perhaps over a curry at the office canteen.
Suppose all you have to do know is start the planning for Le Tour 2008 ;-)
Jim
Many congratulations to all of you, but especially to Matt - I have never seen my cousin looking so slim! We are so very impressed. (And of course well done to Emma and BD for glamorous back up.)
Kerry and Stephen x
Brilliant, what will I do with my evenings now I have nothing exciting to read... I will just look forward to giro2008 I guess. Well done all of you - look forward to seeing you all back in Blighty...
Guys
What an effort. I have followed everything from here in Guatemala and kept all our children up to date with your progress. I can only try to imagine the stamina needed to complete the tour--40 minutes on the cross trainer does me in !
I know you want to help us build our first "safe house" for our children who have either been abandoned or who have lost all of their family.
We have land in San Isidro. We met with our architect last week and hope to have an accurate estimate soon. The original estimate was around £10,000. I hope you will agree with a small change we want to make. To maximise the use of the land, we want to build on 2 levels instead of 1. This will allow us to both take more childen and give them better space. This will undoubtably increase the budget. When we have a final figure we will get in touch to discuss and get your agreement. If there is a shortfall, hopefully we can attract sufficient extra funds to complete the project.
With gift aid, you have already raised over £8,000--a magnificent effort !!
Please be assured that you will make an amazing difference to the lives of very vulnerable children who without your help would be in a perilous situation. We could fill the first "safe house" many times over and our challenge will be to choose those most in need. Already we have Rosaura, Lesbia, Erick and Alejandra in temporary unsuitable conditions waiting for the house.
A HUGE thank you from everyone at Education For The Children Foundation both in the UK (Emma, Jayne, Tricia, Kevin, Tommy and Jossie) and here in Jocotenango, Guatemala (Sophie, Jorge, Patty, Cecilia and 266 of the most grateful children in the world)
Thanks again
Dave
This may be a month late but well done all /reckon you should be declared the true jersey winners 07
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