Help for Heroes Big Battlefield Bike Ride 2011 Day 5 Bayeux - Evreux

Another early start and a rather more subdued group of cyclists set off from their hotels, many feeling the effects of the previous days cycling. Although spirits were raised by the mass of fancy dress outfits, from Leprechauns to 118 characters! It was a lovely sunny day and most of us had to cycle back down the hill we'd struggled up the night before. The first undulation approached very quickly which was a cheeky surprise so early in the morning. It was an 18 mile cycle to the first water stop where everyone stocked up on warm drinks and cereal bars before being treated to an awesome display by the France Parachute Display Team. We had some VIP guests who arrived shortly after the parachute display, Anne Ponsonby, Emma Parry's mother who had been a Special Operations Executive during the war, Tanis Szabo whose mother had been in the French Resistance and 2 FANYs who explained the role their Corps has played in the past century. It was a really interesting and, at times, moving talk from all of them, bring to light the crucial role played by so many women during WW2. A huge thanks should go to Unity Aviation for the use of the aircraft & DO Systems for paying for them to fly in.

During lunch some of the Battle Back & Operation Comfort teams told their stories about how they were injured -- Nathan Cumberland explained, "I'll keep this short & snappy, I was part of the British Diving Team and my legs were bitten off by a shark." It was a very light hearted moment but the guys were so humble, and with one leg between 4 of them, it highlighted that they all had a long journey ahead of them on their road to recovery.

Back to the bikes it was another 35 (long) miles back to the hotel with a water stop in between. It was pretty good cycling with more rolling French countryside taking us up (not so good) and down (so enjoyable!) getting closer to our hotels in Evreux and a good night's rest. Everyone we've talked to can't really believe that tomorrow we will be arriving in Paris. It seems to have gone too quickly but we are all looking forward to tomorrow -- though there have been warnings about some of the slightly crazy French driving in their capital!

We've both decided that we will get up earlier than the other cyclists tomorrow to do the final day with the Battle Back guys who are leaving at 0500, it should be the best way to finish the trip; with the guys who have inspired us all.

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