By John Hirst, chief executive of Destination Bristol. 
Well…we’ve made it and arrived in Paris after 430km and four days on the bike. I am sore in a selection of places – some of them quite a surprise!
Today we cycled from Evreux to Paris and it seemed it was my day to get involved with the French people…
Discussions with a French lady, who was hosting another group of cyclists, started very early on just after we left our hotel. She asked me if she could follow our signs to Paris and how many miles was our journey?
She then looked at me before saying to her Yorkshire cyclists: “Obviously his route avoids all the hills.” What a cheek! And as we know, not true at all.
My next dealing was with a French man who was heading for the shops. Hs very keen to have a long conversation which lasted for about 16km, but as my French is very limited most of my responses simply began with ‘pardon?’.
But back on to the cycle itself… Apart from getting lost once the journey today was great and I really enjoyed the team spirit – which was brilliant throughout the whole four days. 
As we approached Paris excitement levels were increasing, as was the traffic; quite different to what we been used since arriving in France as all the roads have been brilliant.
As we approached the end of our four-day challenge, we kept getting glimpses of the Eiffel Tower and eventually there it was sticking up into the sky marking the finish line!
It’s been a fantastic trip and I think a lot of people who made it this year will be back again in 2017.
With my recent adventures/injuries I have to report no cycling related injuries. The only injury was falling out of the bed on the first night and I have quite a sore arm as a result – a small price to pay for such a great experience. Next time I’m back on this challenge I really must do some training, it would’ve been so much easier for me!
Well done to everyone for reaching Paris safely after what was a fantastic challenge. It’s such a rewarding feeling to be here knowing we have all achieved so much.
Looking forward to relaxing on the Eurostar and reflecting back on a great weekend.
Eighty cyclists – including Bristol medics, business people and supporters – took part in the Bristol-to-Paris Cycle Challenge for local hospital charity Above & Beyond in a bid to raise £150,000 for the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.
