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Firstly, very embarassed I can't spell my username.... Uncanny how 7 blokes can all be the spitting image our our Nicole. God speed gents and look forward to the updates....

P.S Dogger is the best chef i know.

What an emotional send off... coffees and cakes being handed out by the boys' school PE teacher. The strangest part of the morning was a text from LePosisson in Sydney saying Tom Williams is running late. Good call Fishy. Good luck gents, I'll try not to lose the bags on the way over.

PS - lies, Dogger has nothing.

I feel sorry for Bones, seems that he has already been forgotten.

Good luck boys, give me a call when you stop for lunch.

I had a Posisson whilst on the continent... a sausage made with fish. Needless to say it was minging.

Allez les Poireaux - je reve de votre retour longue apres une grande farce par les blues - Allez Les Blues
...and I'm English!

Great work boys.
Bones i haven't forgotten you...at least until you give me my prize rosette.
Has Damo got the legs? Has Edwards got the beef? Has Dogger got the tickets??
Not as good as Neighbours but fantastic drama non the less

The photo is making me hungry. Thank God it's lunchtime.

Good luck with it all boys. I will be following tirelessly today though tomorrow, it will be more snatched visits to the interweb from an all day meeting.

I'll be thinking of you tomorrow when I shop in the Welsh market in London and settle in front of the big screen at my not-so-local to watch the match. Not even buckets of broken glass with which I could cut my hand (as happened last time) will keep me away!

The whole Welsh team could come on bikes. Given the (supposed) state of fatigue of the French players after last weekend's Top 14 matches, they are not up to much. That and an untried "charnière" (scrum half/fly half) without going into Sylvain Marconnet's return in the front row after an unconvincing game against Toulon. Or is this some French ploy ?

I was wondering what your route might be so tried the route planner on a well known map site (walking route - it only understands car or walk). It doesn't know you can cross the old Severn Bridge on foot (or a bike)!

Good luck with the rest of the journey.

You guys are bonkers, and I respect that. Cymru am byth! Have a safe journey, and enjoy watching our boys beating our French friends.

Good luck, it looks like you'll need it! I assume you'll be doing a sprint up the Champs Elysées before you finish?

best of luck guys, fingers crossed for the game!

GirlieRyderFan - Just wondering whether you respect me as well?

It was my brainwave some months ago to do this ride and got the boys on board, as it is, I'm really enjoying the coverage from my desk at work, having waved goodbye to them at 7 this morning.

I'll enjoy even more the journey to Paris tomorrow morning though, with a cheeky Bouteille de Beaujolais, a whole camamebert and some freshly baked baguettes.

Please could you find out SuperTed's secret magic word? I've been waiting 20 years to find out...

DeeOhDoubleGee - if only you'd turned this into some Jeremy Clarkson vs Hamster affair. I can picture you rolling up to the Stade Francais in a Bugatti Veyron havnig left Cardiff merely three minutes before, being settled down with a nice beer just as the match kicks off and the boys stagger into their seats...

To DeeohDoubleGee. If you're Welsh, and you had this brainwave, but THEN had the sense to journey in the morning with a cheeky Beaujolais etc, then RESPECT is unswervingly forthcoming. And I don't need to wait till the morning to know if I still respect you... we are not worthy.

Excellent wheeze. I'm in Paris but sans billets unfortunately, will be watching the match in an Irish pub in the 11th (unless anyone knows of a welsh pub in Paris?). Good luck to you all, suggest you try the local cider on your way through Normandy, not really wine country up there..

Richard @17 - obviously, they're continuing the trip from Paris to Rome. Only a mere 1445.2 km, says a double-lettered route planner, from Stade de France (Rue Jules Rimet, bien sur) to Stadio Flaminio. Their main trouble will be getting back for the Ireland match...

Gah! I've spent quite a bit of time today trying to work out the route on Google Maps. I think I've got it now though.

I guess I'll have to work late now to make up for the time I have (very usefully) spent doing that.

@15:45 - I was witness to a conversation last evening, between the Tom's and it involved Tom W. asking Tom F; "if it gets really bad, will you cream me up?"

After a tactical pause to absorb this brave invitation, Tom F duly agreed, so one can assume that for every km ridden, a stronger bond is developed between the boys.

Tedious; Prince William, Ben Foden, and Martin Fowler from Eastenders cycling to France. Is this all you have?

You know who I feel sorry for in all this - that poor chap Bones.

Speaking of Ben Foden, who is dating the hot Irish girl off of the girlband the Saturdays, do you think he introduced himself as the 'versatile Ben Foden'which won her over immediately?

That has just made me realise i meant Fogle not Foden.

Ben Fogle and one of the Saturdays just wasn't making sense.

Tom,

I'm not actually sure I believe you are doing this bikeride.

Kudos to all the Welsh boyos, but you haven't featured in any of the photos yet.

Or am I missing something??

The 8.15pm from paddington last night, (25/02/2009)

I a sure two men dressed exactly like you guys with bikes were on their way back to Wales...

Not casting suspicions here...but

Bones4Byrne the Ben Fogle chat has given me an idea - why don't you welsh boys row to Paris in 2 years time? Mind you where is estuary of the seine?

Tom and the boys - immense respect even to get this far. Keep at it - rely on 'the mental' tomorrow morning!

Was Damian's anecdote anything to do with a vasectomy? The smell of my own burning flesh is the most vivid memory of mine.....

If it was, Damian wouldn't have had any trouble paying for it...... would you Dame?

I had a restless sleep wondering how the peloton was getting on. Congrats on finishing 'la premiere etape.' I'm sure a few pints on the boat and some gentle banter with the HGV drivers of the UK on the merits of cyclists on Britain's roads, will leave you fresh for tomorrow's efforts.......

Boys bach

Epic effort so far, keep up the good work.

But please, spare a thought for me; alarm set for 3.30am, quick shower and last minute packing, taxi picking me up at 4.10am to St Pancras, in Paris at 9.25am local time.

All this with my knees I hear you say - Yes, I am a martyr...

Very proud of you boys bach, I'm sure you're all taking it very easy on the ferry...Rob, how's le zob after all of those kilometers? Maybe this will finally correct the Roberto Carlos?
Will be watching the game with Poison, Venner and possible Greenup so we'll be keeping our eyes peeled.
Wishing you all the best pour le deuxieme etape...

right fordyce and gang, get yourselfs down to grands boulevards prematch and there will be a pint waiting. If you will arrive after 7.15 then go the stadium. If you arrive before then come to the australian bar. Nearly opposite the irish bar. head for exit musee grevin in the metro.

Just listened to the radio interview conducted by the legendary Phil Steele - pure genius. I hope you found that crate of Strongbow.

And Tom you are not from Crynant, remember - Epsom born and bred!

Hello Guys, i saw you at the service staition in winchester, at approx 18:00
well done, but if you were on your way to pompey you still had a good 2 + hours to go.

i thought you were on an audax at first, but realised it was a week day, so i knew it wasn't that.
good luck for the rest of the ride.

Excellent work chaps.
Bones, remember the Pastis in Marseilles?

We don't want to find you in the Nord being adopted by the local tramps when we get in.

Damo don't pile in now, think of the glory!

The support crew are on route....see you at the Stade with some refreshing cheese and Bow!

Allez Allez Allez. Glad you made it to France OK. Hopefully just riding in France will give you a boost. Has your seat in the stadium has a cushion? :-)

Well done lads, inspired to take this ride on myself (but from Twickenham perhaps!)

Good luck boys! Keep up the good work.

I am slightly disappointed you crossed the channel on a ferry though...pedalos anyone?

Brilliant. Your commitment to your country and your sport is truly inspirational, chaps. Best of luck!

I have a Welsh boss who loves rugby and cycling and would very much like one of your tops. Where did you get such stylish garments?

Tommy
Bitterly disappointed benders isn't with you on this one.

And where's yer tweets from the handlebars? Such as Eeek just missed a truck while writing this tweet.
Best

Why did you gain a "huge psychological boost" on leaving Wales ?

- it's not really *so* bad there is it ? ;-)


No, seriously boys, very natty jerseys, if I were Welsh myself I'd be wanting one and asking where you got them from.

Good luck.

stevieblunder

Do a search for foska and you'll see Wales cycling kit amongst others.

Thank you so much ian540

Well done chaps! Impressive effort.

Don't let Tom get hold of any facepaint in Paris. Definitely don't let him paint on your forehead.

Allez les rouge!!

Respeth to you all great stuff

Good luck with the final bit of your journey. Hope it goes well.

Thought you might be interested in the following site:

www.paris2london.com

My friend is running the Paris Marathon, then running from Paris to London followed by spending a week at university before running the London Marathon, all for Cancer Research.

I am sure, after your efforts, you will be able to understand some of his pain!

Matt

Fantastic effort, well done, hope the match lives up to your achievements, you all deserve it. Not quite sure though how you got through Portsmouth without at least one bike going missing!

ian540 I think you might have started something there...I'm up for the twickenham to paris jaunt next year if you are!

More! More! We can't stand the suspense.

Excellent, excellent, excellent. Very happy to see the support for the boys. 8 schooners, now on my way to bed. And for the important matter of the game, will be up at silly o'clock, am confindent our intrepid cyclists will make it for the anthems.

Too true micromognol, beware the face paints and the bow challenge!

I knows that Adam's dad was from Barry - not Barry Island, but Barry proper like. A cracking place which makes Superted a cracking superhero who won't let you down.
What's occurring in Paris? - a big Wales win to celebrate your efforts!!

Keep on Rockin on!

Wales, Wales, Wales, Wales, Wales, Wales!!

Sorry flyingmelon62 but Adam's dad not born in Barry. Unfortunately Tom is mixing me up with Mike Young who is often credited with lots of Superted stuff. Adam's Dad made the TV shows.
I have the utmost admiration for those brave stalwarts as they pedal their way towards Paris - as like you I watch this blog for their progress.
They seem to have a long way still to go, it will be touch and go! Fear not brave ones I am standing by with the magic word :)

Boys Bach, I want to hear about the three Ps on the way into Paris, Pace, Power and Panache.

Allez, allez, allez.

Keep going boys. Just looked on the map - ouch! it looks a long way to go, and Paris traffic on a Friday night!!!!!!!!! Heroes all of you.

yes I've been looking at the map too and it does look such a loooooooong way still to go :(

What time do they need to get to the Stade De France - anyone know for sure?

I know the games at 9:0 local time.

Having bumped into Rob A at Billy Elliott last week I thought in this hour of need, he might want to look back at some lyrics from the show for inspiration:

Solidarity solidarity
Solidarity forever
All for one and one for all
Solidarity forever

Good luck and Cymru am byth!!

65km in 3.5 hours. It's going to be tight at the pace you're going!

I hope the game is half as exciting and entertaining as this wonderfully mad dash to the stadium. I'm not Welsh (and better yet, not French either), but you lot deserve a medal, a truck load of beers and a big bag of ice to sit on! Great stuff.

Strange feeling to this Friday night buildup I'm normally nervous the night before but it hasn't even kicked in yet and there are only two hours to go.

Hope the boys are being boosted by all the signs showing those Kms ticking down. Sure they will make it on time although I wouldn't like to be in the seats next to them after they have been cycling in lycra for two days.

nearly there guys. I reckon only c 15k to go. Hope you find somewhere to put the bikes!

go on lads not far now! the whole nation is behind you! quite literally...

Hey there boys,

Travelling home from a long day celebrating St. david's at school I was listening to the fantastic 'MrT' being interviewed on Radio 1 and I thought I would draw on his wise words "you crazy fools" ......are nearly there!

Keep going and I don't think I need to tell you to "get some nuts!" .......you obviously all have plenty of them even if they are now very saddle sore!
Well done all from adam's very proud mrs!

Well done lads, you must be nearly there by now!!! A sterling effort...........lets hope for a Welsh win! Well done all of you - Adam's Ma!!!

Whooopppeee!!! You have arrived! Beer on me folks (just ask Adam!!!).....
Fantastic achievement!

Absolutely top effort lads. That was a tough tough thing to do. Congratulations! Time for a drink now.

Oh! All that sweat and effort from you and then they lose...I can't bear it....such a thin line between triumph and diasaster!

So we lost the game, but we are now in les trois canards with Adam, Medz (x2), Damian, Rob and those that bottled iit like me and took the train.Adam is just getting out of the lycra and talc-ing up b4 he gets the drinks in on MumEdwards.

They were treated like heroes at the stade with lots of love and photos, great effort, amazing journey, lets get on it!!!!

ps - PARIS METRO IS HOPELESS, CLOSED AT MIDNIGHT, LESS THAN AN HOUR AFTER GAME 10,000 STRANDED - THE BOYS GOT BACK ON THEIR BIKES!!

I reckon you'd be mad not to push on to Rome. I hear it's lovely this time of year. Might need some snow chains for your bikes, but other than that - no worries.
Maybe you should keep riding to matches until you see Wales win one... just like those sportsmen that don't shave until they win. Instead, you'll just be the spectators that can't walk until their team wins!!

A wee tip for more comfort on the route to Rome instead of Chamois Cream place some French Sirlion Steak in the shorts instead. by the time you get to rome the steak will be nice and tender.

Good luck and happy pedalling

All seemed a tad self-indulgent to me.

How is this of interest if you're not taking part/ don't know anyone taking part?

Highlighted when you look at who's made comments...

You climbed Bonsecours without worshipping at the monument to the great Jean Robic? (google him). Then you continued to Paris to watch Wales lose? And now you'll be knackered for three weeks? I'm inclined to agree with comment 70

junior cycling sensation oldtoneye accusing the brave peleton of self-indulgence?

if oldtoneye and akatommySmith can manage to find a couple of mates I think there is good scope for a race to Rome here...

"peloton" is the word.