The End: Biarritz to Home

To finish the trip, we enjoyed a couple of days and nights in Biarritz soaking up the best weather of the whole tour and exploring the warren of streets that made up the city centre. Our only pressing issue was buying bike bags and then dismantling the bikes to ensure that we could transport them home. After a couple of bus rides we found a decathlon relatively easily, and bought two bags that would do the job just fine. We then dismantled the bikes on the street outside the hotel, removing wheels, pedals, turning the handle bars and then chucking everything into the bag!

Bike bags packed and ready to go at Biarritz airport

The journey home was going to be something of an ordeal, with two flights, a night at a Manchester airport hotel, a train journey and then a final 20 mile ride on the bikes to overcome before we could say we were home! The airports were actually very accommodating of the bikes, and we were surprised by how painless the whole thing was really. Biarritz to Gatwick, then up to Manchester  we went, before checking into a hotel for the final night. 

The moment of truth however, came the next morning when we had the challenge of assembling the bikes again. With only Dad's front brake proving to difficult to reassemble, we set off for the train station where we would catch a train to Clitheroe. However here came near disaster, as we set off out of the hotel car park at the airport, and had gone no more than 20 metres when I attempted to ride right (now the wrong way) round a roundabout. Seeing a Volkswagen estate heading straight for me, I quickly stacked it into the middle of the roundabout to avoid an even worse accident! Brushing myself down, and believing that Dad hadn't seen (...he had), we made the train, and eventually rolled off at Clitheroe and began the final leg home. Feeling every one of the last 14 days in our legs by this point, it was by no means easy, however conditions were perfect, and after roughly 90 minutes, we were rolling down from Rathmell, across the bypass and along the last half mile home. 

Awaiting us was a welcome home party just as had waved us off 15 days previously, and a well earned afternoon of rest on the patio!. A final mention must go to everyone who has helped by sponsoring us. With the total standing just short of £4000, we thank you for your generous support. All in all, a hugely successful and enjoyable trip, and one that has given both of us a desire to take on another similar challenge in the not too distant future. 

Thanks,

Jack and Gavin

Home at last!