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Arrival
We Arrived in Geneva and were very happy to find we were staying in a really nice hotel by the Lake in Evian. Once we were settled in we got the bikes ready and the atmosphere in the team was very calm, saying that there was an element of nerves especially amongst the firefly virgins.We had a beer in the bar outside under the canopy as there was torrential rain pour and dark clouds were forming... Was 2009 going to be a wet fireflies? Day One
We woke up and were relieved to find the weather had turned and the sky was bright and clear. We had our first climb today, the Joux de Plane. A very tough first climb! An 1800m baptism of fire for the fireflies’ virgins! The descent was great, a little nervy as it was the first of the ride. The descents are fast but everyone arrives safely at the bottom! Colombiere was next and it was hot about 30ºc plus and getting hotter and hotter. Last year we climbed Colombiere gently; it was the first climb of the day and it was okay. This year it is our second and this made it very different. It was SO tough!
A climb can be so different depending on where it is placed in the schedule. We descended together, all glad to be getting back but were unexpectedly faced with a cheeky little 15km climb up to the hotel. A real sting at the end of day! Happily we were greeted by a lovely 3 star hotel with a pool and a couple of beers (three large two small @ 28€!!) and a lovely meal. Finally we crashed!!!
The Mill is proud to have two Fireflies amongst their ranks for this year’s charity ride; Chris Batten aka Chops and Adam Scott.
This year's bike run is Adam's second and he had always dreamt of joining the Fireflies; amazingly Adam had not cycled since a child and had only began cycling again the Christmas before his first ride. He explains "Ben Hampshire (Mill LA) had lent/gave him a bike - which he described as a Christmas present this being the week before Christmas; Mr Hampshire then asked for £900 and the wheels back... the rest, is history".
Adam's first evening on the bike ride was shared with Chops who presented Adam with earplugs proudly assuring him that he has been told he snores! Although both Chops and Adam denied this! Adam was very impressed with Chop's worry for his potential lack of sleep and found the gesture very 'considerate'. He also discovered that Chops suffers from acute tidiness - which Chops happily agrees with.
Chops describes the atmosphere as 'Carry on camping comes carry on cycling'. But goes on to explain "The ride is serious and the team reach speeds of 55 MPH and nothing can prepare you for the Fireflies, it is invigorating, scary, hard work, amazingly breathtaking scenery mixed in with the most incredible camaraderie and team spirit. By the time you set up camp for the night, you eat; wash your kit and sleep. When we eat we are so ravenous there is never enough food!"
Chris describes the effort and pain of cycling uphill changing quickly to exhilaration when coming down hill. Adam agrees "it's a buzz". Both lads agree it can be dangerous, a large group of cyclists, no barriers and severe drops with stories of riders missing the hair pin and going over the side...
Both lads comment: "At the end of the race it all seems so worthwhile; with your friends and other riders clapping and cheering you on and all the riders coming in Cannes with sirens, music and cheering followed by a dip in the sea!"
The Fireflies support and ride for the charity Leuka, founded in 1982 by leukaemia patient Lester Cazin, Leuka is dedicated to raising funds to support research into the causes and team of leukaemia at London’s Hammersmith Hospital.. Their motto is 'For those who suffer we ride' and both Adam and Chops feel very passionate about the cause, Chops adds: "Sometimes while you cycling you forgot the real reason we do this, to help others that are in great pain". Adam agrees: "The pain we'll suffer going uphill helps to focus on the pain of the cancer suffers and keeps us pushing on".
Both boys raised over 2k each.
Initiated in 2000, the Fireflies gained their name during the first year, after a procession of glowing fireflies led the riders down a steep mountain in the pitch black. This same night-time ride will be completed again this year. This event has been supported strongly by RSA Films from the beginning as part of the sponsorship package.
Previous Mill Fireflies include:
Giles Cheetham
Ben Hampshire
Ant Walsham
Everyone at The Mill wishes all the Fireflies a great and safe ride.
To find out more or make a donation please visit:
http://www.leuka.org.uk/http://www.thefirefliesride.com/home/index.html
