Charity bike ride for ovarian cancer

by Jamie Gold

In mid-September, 2022, Jamie Gold and brother Nick Gold announced that they were undertaking a 435 km. (270+ mile) charity bike ride from London to Paris from September 21.

Jamie and Nick are the sons of Jack Gold, lovingly commemorated in a blog post by their aunt Marilyn Bar-Or.

Nick (L) and Jamie (R)

Nick and I are striving to raise as much funding as possible for Ovarian Cancer Action. It was this form of cancer that took my wife, the inspirational Debbie Gold, from us in November, 2019. And it is in her name we are undertaking this massive challenge.

September 21, Day 1: After I had not be able to get any sleep whatsoever the night before, we and the other 29 cyclists met up in Greenwich Park in the early morning, but not early enough as it was rush hour and it took an age navigating the busy roads and traffic lights out of London. With the 31 riders sub-divided into smaller ability-based groups, our group leader shouted at us for not staying 'on his wheel' so that we may avoid getting split up. Nick shouted back: "But there was a red light!!" So much for the Highway Code in the eyes of our leader…

Then it was into the more rural environs and an easier ride. Unfortunately, at one point, our group leader misread his sat nav and we found that the road we needed was closed, this after descending a long steep hill for some considerable distance. We then had the option to cycle back up the hill and find an alternative route or to walk through a narrow overgrown country lane for half a mile before finding the original route. We chose the latter.

Onward into Kent, through small villages and some nasty lung-busting climbs, one or two of which meant we had to walk up pushing our bikes. We also had two delays caused by the punctures that befell fellow group members. As the light began to fade, we finally rolled into Dover and the sanctuary of our Premier Inn for the night.

With the evening meal at 20:00, we only had a very short time for a wash before eating. I had no appetite and barely ate a thing, whilst Nick consumed his burger and chips in no time.

Then bed!

I must admit having to share a room with my brother manifested visions of Steve Martin and John Candy in Planes, Trains and Automobiles - happy to say I didn't find anything untoward in the sink the next morning!

September 22, Day 2: After a second night with absolutely no sleep, little appetite and a number of visits to the loo, it became obvious I had caught a tummy bug.

At 07:15 it was off to catch the channel ferry to France. On board, I was in and out of the loo, and was not feeling good at all.

We began our 57-mile cycle out of Calais and although Nick was spinning along with ease, I was getting progressively worse and was struggling at the back of the group. By the time we finished 27 miles and stopped for lunch, I was feeling terrible and was advised by the staff that I was endangering myself if I continued and was also slowing the group down. With great reluctance, I decided to spend some time in the support vehicle. Nick duly completed Day 2, but suffered a puncture. This was the fifth in total for the group, with one group member being really unlucky accounting for three!

The comfortable Ibis Hotel was now home.

Bon nuit.

September 23, Day 3: The long 95-mile stage (with a coffee and lunch break to give us some rest and diversion from the tarmac), took all day. It rained lightly for the first time, but was not enough to cause any real discomfort. However, it was rather cold and the feet and hands really felt it! I was still feeling under the weather, but Nick breezed along on his 'super bike.' He described pedaling it as "cheating." I want one!

We we were booked in to the less than salubrious Campanile Hotel. The buffet restaurant around the corner was the size of an aircraft hanger with an infinite selection. This was the first time since our journey began that I felt like my appetite had returned to something like normal.

September 24, Day 4: A sedate 57-mile ride into Paris, with a break included at Auvers-sur-Oise, where Vincent Van Gogh had committed suicide;. Unfortunately, Nick lost concentration for a second and ended up hitting the kerb and taking a tumble over his handle bars - ouch!!

Navigating the increasingly busy Paris roads really now focused the mind and a few angry words from us to motorists who got too close!

We arrived around 2:00pm and posed by a certain tower!! We held up two large printed photographs of my amazing and beautiful Debbie and proudly wore our Ovarian Cancer Acton cycle jerseys.

Jamie (L) and Nick (R) arrive at their destination and hold up pictures of Debbie, in whose honor the charity ride took place

We quickly showered at the nearby Mercure Hotel and then walked off to get a bite to eat and a coffee.

In the evening, all 31 riders had a celebratory meal and a good reminisce and a laugh.

We enjoyed a good night's sleep, before catching the Eurostar home.

We undertook the charity ride to ensure awareness of the symptoms of the disease - more often than not, misdiagnosed as ‘women’s problems.’ If you haven’t yet donated and are willing and able to do so, it is not too late. Our sincere thanks to those who have already donated.

Click here to donate: justgiving.com/Jamie-NickGold