Day 1

Sat, April 29
Dover (UK) to Calais (France)
10 km

Yesterday, I managed to stay awake until about 2:30 by walking around the small village of Horely.  I had a nap until 6pm and then steak and ale casserole at the Gatwick pub in town.  (This time I knew to order at the bar.). After dinner, I read and watched TV until about 10pm.  I hope this means that I am now on local time.

This morning I got a taxi back to Gatwick, leaving my large bike box at the B&B for me to pick up on the way home.  From Gatwick, it took three trains to get to Dover.  After all of the trouble I had booking the train tickets from Canada, it was amusing to find the trains empty.  No one even looked at my ticket on the last two!

I met one of the other riders on the train.  He was wearing ful cycling gear and had a small, half-full carry on bag around his neck...vs my large treking backpack.  (Luckily, he proved to be the exception rather than the rule.  Although I had begun to question whether I really needed that 4th pair of socks.  He had done three previous trips with Bike Adventures, and had very nice things to say about them.  (Note: I'd give you his name but I'm forgotten it, so I'll have to ask tomorow.)

We met the rest of the group in Dover: 11 men, 3 women, 1 driver (who owns the tour company) and two tour guides who ride at the back of the group each day.  Sounds like a potential post-MBA career path to me.  (I can see my father growing concerned at the very suggestion.)

I am the youngest of the group by several years, but there are a few others in their low-30's.  A lot of the riders have been on several long tours before.  One has been across America 3 times!!!

It was a short ride onto the ferry at Dover, a 1 hour crossing (with lots of time for "white cliffs" photos), and another short ride to the B&B in Calais.

Th toughest part was cycling on the left hand side in Dover.  I can barely even cross the street in England without getting hit...despite the "Look Right Dummy" signs that are painted on thr road for people like me.  I also find myself playing "chicken" a lot with people on the sidewalk, as I try to pass them on the right.  The cross-UK trip in June will definitely require some adjustment.

After checking into the motel, I went for a walk around town with two of the other guys, and then had dinner with the whole group.

Its one of the longer rides tomorow, and they're calling for rain.  Better get some sleep now. 

The real cycling starts tomorrow.