Author: Dennis Dawson

The pressure must have been starting to tell on me as my health and mental state start to deteriorate markedly. Fortunately I was still alert enough to pull off some brilliant riding strategies to avoid getting drenched in the rain.

With the sun now shining brightly overhead, our spirits are now sky high as we continue our way to the Atlantic. Along the way we are surrounded by Gypsies, visit the famed gardens at Villandry, climb a big hill and dine at a Michelin Restaurant.

The Ghostriders somehow manage to self destruct within a few minutes of leaving Amboise when the women all become lost while trying to ride through a Sunday market.

Our our first free day the two groups combine for a memorable dinner at Lion d’Or restaurant in Amboise. The weather also finally improves and the sun breaks through.

The third day of our France ride again turned out to be another of four seasons in one day. Although it started fine, in the mid afternoon it all went pear shaped once again.

The Ghostriders discover that a feast of radioactive walnuts can give rise to an increase in the numbers of nocturnal barking spiders.

The 13 members of Group 1 somehow survived a day that will long go down in the annals of the Ghostriders (mostly for all the wrong reasons). But we all triumphed and actually are stronger for the experience.

We take the train from Paris to Orleans and then partake of our first of many mammoth French dinners.

The Ghostriders take afternoon tea with the rich and famous and also have a close encounter with the ruler of the new African Republic of Habongoland.

The stress of living in Paris is starting to take its toll on our elite team members.