Extra Mile Haute Savoie Challenge 2011

A ride of water and wine!

In its 9th year of fundraising, this year’s Extra Mile Challenge was for teams to cycle 500 miles between Fontainebleau near Paris and Annecy on the edge of the Alps. Heald Solicitors have been involved in three teams this year.

Martin Banham-Hall led out his team Heald Wheeled, David Dees was part once again of the Manic Street Pedlars team and I (Nick Crook) participated in Well Heald with other members Esther Marchant of Heald, Linda Plowright of Sports Leaders UK and Alex Gamberini of Entropie.

Last year’s ride to the Black Forest was all about water. It rained every day and we splashed through puddles.

This year the sun shone every day as we rode from Fontainebleau near Paris to Annecy on the edge of the Alps.

Arriving at Fontainebleau short of diesel, we had a diverting evening travelling via closed petrol stations to the restaurant deep in the countryside and getting lost en-route. Fortunately the restaurant proved worth it and we were ready for the early start to the ride on Friday morning.

Starting in the dark, as usual, Linda led us out and we rode towards water – no rain this year but the first point of reference was the Loire. Meeting the river started the quest for wine as we rode into vineyards around Sancerre and a succession of climbs and descents which went on all afternoon until we arrived at Bourges after about 180 miles. At Bourges we found what seemed to be an identical Novotel to the one we left at Fontainebleau!

All too soon we were out in the dark at 7.30 a.m. to start Day 2. Once again there was a pursuit of water – the road led towards the higher reaches of the Loire and some very picturesque villages. We saw the impressive engineering of the Loire Canal and the point of its water source from the river itself. But after water came wine – we were heading deep into Burgundy region towards tonight’s destination of Beaune. The second half of the ride crisscrossed up and down between vineyards before a picturesque ride into Beaune itself.

At Beaune we had the variety of staying in an Ibis Hotel but the following morning we were off to Annecy. To start with the roads were flat and the weather cold and misty. Then the sun rose and we started climbing – there were long hills and when we reached the top we discovered a huge reservoir and as we rode down the valley beside it after the reservoir dam emerged a further reservoir. Then it was time to climb again. The afternoon wound on in a long succession of climbs and descents in glorious sunshine and wonderful countryside. Eventually, we were only descending as the road dropped towards the Lake at Annecy and we approached water again. At Annecy there was a tumultuous reception at lakeside and then a confusing scramble through the town to find the right hotel. We then walked down by the river surrounded by houses and cafes like a little Venice and approached water at the lakeside. The final celebration dinner was on a lake cruiser and at last on this third day we found some wine as we opened bottles to celebrate our success.

The next day we were down to earth with a mere 639 miles to drive back home!

We enjoyed the Haute Savoie Challenge and thank all our sponsors for their generosity in sponsoring us for charity once again.

One-third of the money raised by all teams, including all the Heald teams, goes towards the Extra Mile organisers’ charities. This year these are Bucks, Oxon & Berks Air Ambulance, SSAFA Forces Help and Sports Leaders UK. However, the bulk of the money raised – two-thirds - by each team goes towards that team’s chosen charity. Heald Wheeled are supporting the Caudwell Children’s Charity who provide power assisted technology to help disabled children. Well Heald are raising money for Herts MS Therapy Centre who deliver therapies to help multiple sclerosis sufferers. The Manic Street Pedlars are raising money for Willen Hospice and for the Primrose Cancer Unit.

Many thanks to all our sponsors for your help and assistance. If anyone would still like to sponsor us then you can access our just giving sites. These are:

Heald Wheeled – Caudwell Children’s Charity

Well Heald – Herts MS Therapy Centre

Manic Street Pedlars – Willen Hospital/Primrose Cancer Unit