Kevin's Count Down to Paris!
Published: 7 September 2015
Kevin's London to Paris Cycle for COT
On 9th September, Kevin Gallagher will be taking on a huge challenge – cycling from London to Paris, a 310 mile bike, starting in South East London, heading through towns and leafy villages in Kent, before boarding a Ferry and heading to Paris through quaint French villages and towns.
Kevin is raising money for Canterbury Oast Trust (COT), which is a local charity which helps adults with learning disability to live the lives they choose, through training, support and accommodation.
Kevin says “My Cousin, Russell is a resident with COT, and any donation you’re able to make greatly helps him and many others to live independent lives. I am a long-term supporter of the Canterbury Oast Trust, and also took part in the Prudential London to Surrey Bike Ride in August.”
Kevin’s cycling schedule…
Day one: London to Calais
A bright and early start from Crystal Palace, heading South en-route to the Coast. We’ll be cycling very close to the Rare Breeds Centre, the local farm and tourist attraction owned by COT.
Day two: Calais to Abbeville
La Belle France! Picturesque countryside awaits us, as we head South to Abbeville, an historic town which played a key role in World War II. Abbeville was also the birthplace of Admiral Amédée Courbet, whose victories on land and at sea made him a national hero (his statue in the town was damaged in a devastating German bombing raid during World War II). Abbeville was an allied base during World War II.
Day three: Abbeville to Beauvais
Following the River Somme out of Abbeville, we will head to Beauvais. A beautiful French city, Beauvais was extensively damaged during World War I and again in World War II, during the German advance on Paris in June 1940. Much of the older part of the city was all but destroyed, and the cathedral badly damaged before being liberated by British forces on 30 August 1944. The Cathedral remains the city’s crowning glory today.
Day four: Beauvais to Paris
Our final day of cycling, and the big push to Paris. Tired legs, but anticipation of the finish line will keep us going!
Kevin’s challenge is the penultimate in the COT ‘Three Cities, Three Capitals Challenge’ to mark 30 years of Canterbury Oast Trust supporting adults with learning disabilities.
You can donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/teams/3CITIES3CAPITALS
