Roland Garros Challenge
Some comments from riders on our trips to Roland Garros
2013
‘Team 2013, it was an absolute pleasure and a privilege to meet, to ride and to share a great experience
with you all. Any thoughts of pain and rain are already receding fast, but the memories of all the
laughter and team spirit will always remain.’
Andrew Barr (2013)
‘I don't know about you lot, but I am sad it's all over...Precisely a week ago, we were struggling up
Shooters Hill!’
Chris Perrin (2013)
‘I have never seen ‘comradeship’ like that before, everyone helping everyone, “all for one and one for
all”. Kieran Ryan (2013)
‘I would just like to thank you all for making the trip such a good laugh. I really enjoyed it all and thanks
again for making it easier for me - the company was fantastic!’
John Cunningham (2013)
‘I have a rich life, enriched further by the generous and funny people on the trip. It’s been one of the
best experiences of my life (and I’ve had a few). You all helped make the impossible possible and I am
proud to have been a part of it with you.’ Mitchell Fenton (2013)
‘My personal big ‘Thank you!’ to everyone for making it an experience of a lifetime. The overall team
vibe was nothing short of exceptional and the support crew were relentlessly cheerful, positive and
helpful – well done guys! Without repeating all the superlatives, suffice it to say it was an exceptional
experience enjoyed in the company of exceptional people.’
Ian Gordon (2013)
‘It was an incredible and often beautiful adventure and it’s been an absolute pleasure to have met and
ridden with all of you (on a massive variety of roads, hills and weather!)... It was a ride together never
forgotten!’
Chris Whitington (2013)
‘It has been great reading the emails and trawling through the photos which everyone has been sending
around. What a fantastic experience the trip was and amplified by the great people to accompany it. If
someone had told me at the beginning of this year that I would be cycling to Paris, I would have
laughed. Now that everything is said and done...it is an achievement that I will always remember and
look back in fond memory. It was an absolute pleasure to ride and socialise with all of you in RAIN and
shine. Thankfully, the pain of James’ four punctures on the coldest day to have ever existed (Fatal
Friday), is slowly fading and only smiles and laughter remain.’
Sophie Clarkson (2013)
2012
‘Thank you so much for a fabulous experience! The biking and scenery were great but it was the people
that really made it fun - with the help, of course, of the most incredible weather. Marty's legs are feeling
better - he was able to climb stairs today!’ Kate Mann (2012) – from Boston, USA!
‘Thank you all for such an amazing trip - what an experience! I loved every minute of it!’
Kathryn Thompson (2012)
‘It was an excellent trip, both on and off the bikes, made all the more so by such a great bunch of people
- so thank you everyone, for the company/banter/organisation etc to make it a memorable few days.’
Tim Murgatroyd (2012)
‘For me the ride was "fabulous stupidity" - a great experience, not to be missed, but never repeated.
Your company, smiling encouragement & banter was pure joy! Thank you all so much - it was a pleasure
to share the experience with you! PS I hate that bicycle ! ! !
Neil Robertson (2012)
2011
‘Had a blast and so enjoyed meeting everyone. What a great team - keep in touch.’
Peter Hannon (2011)
‘We also had a top time. Woody Allen said - Life is for people who turn up - and that pretty much sums
up the positive, friendly atmosphere that pervaded throughout the trip.’ Philip Rann (2011)
‘Fantastic trip all round and we could not have asked for a better ending in Paris with everyone safe and
glorious sunshine.’
Jeff McMillan (2011)
‘I'd just like to say that the last 5 days have been an amazing experience for me. Even though it was
tough at times, we all got each other through it and had a good few laughs along the way, so all in all SO
happy we did it!’ Adam Richman (2011)
‘Never mind the cycling, it was laughing at all your banter that was really exhausting!’
Andrew Barr (2011)
‘A big’ thank you’ to Sharon, because without the company, I would have been crying in a wheat field!
And to all of those who chatted to me at the back until they were going so slowly they nearly fell of their
bikes! Brilliantly organised - it really was a terrific 4 days.’
Alison Feaver (2011)
‘There are so many great memories over such a short space of time. Most rewarding thing I’ve done in a
long time.’
Peter Reynolds (2011)
‘Really good to meet such a great can-do bunch of people and really good to challenge the brain as well
as the body! So much more will come out of this than firmer thighs!’
Lianne Tapson (2011)
‘I just wanted to say how lovely it was to meet everyone and I had the best time riding with you all,
apart from Barry who I never saw for all the dust!’
Kim Sears (2011)
‘Thanks to everyone for making it a really enjoyable 4 days. I had 3 hours on the bike this morning...........
ish!!!’ Barry Cowan (2011)
‘Just on my way up the M40 - and sure that I have just seen Barry pedalling past us! A great few
days of exercise along with great company.’ Peter Verow (2011)
Overtaking the peleton!