Cycling in England and France is very different from rides in hot weather in Malaysia. Wind robs you the speed apart from the windchill effect. You need more energy to overcome the cold, as it was hovering below the 10 degC mark. Luck was on our side, no rain (some 2 minute drizzles, maybe) and no punctures. Managed also to get the bikes on the plane back to Coventry from Orly Airport without any bags or boxes! Weather back in England after the end of the ride was dreadful (4degC and rain). The ride had its toll -- I had diarrhoea and fever arriving in Paris, while Fahmi vomitted after the plane ride home. Iterinery: Chatham (London)-Dover-Calais-Abbeville-Beauvais-Paris-Orly. Total riding time of 26 hours 30 minutes in 4 days.
Incidently, two great cycling events were taking place during this period: The Tour of Flanders and the Paris-Roubaix.