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Ride with Purpose. Ride with Pride.
- Geoff Green
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
The Objective
February 2026, I set out to cycle from Paris to London.
The reason was simple.
It marked 35 years since the Operation Granby “blue on blue” incident, where nine soldiers from my regiment lost their lives, and many more were injured. It felt important to do something that reflected that - not just to remember, but to raise awareness and support for those still dealing with the long-term effects of service.
The funds raised from the ride are being split between MindfulStep, which I set up to support veterans through shared outdoor experiences, and the Fusiliers Aid Society.
Setting Off
I started under the Eiffel Tower.
Once you are there, there is no more planning and no more adjustments. You just get on the bike and go.
The first part of the ride was about getting out of Paris and onto the Avenue Verte. It did not take long to realise the route was going to be a mix of everything. Busy roads, quieter stretches and sections where you had to work things out as you went along.
The Reality of the Ride
It did not take long for things to get interesting.
Punctures came early, which is part of it, but never ideal when you are trying to get into a rhythm. Finding food and water was not always straightforward either, especially when you are relying on limited French and whatever you can find along the way.
One night I stopped in a wooded area just outside Gisors expecting a decent rest. That did not quite go to plan. Between wildlife and early morning noise from a nearby woodmill I had not known about, sleep was limited at best.
Physically, it is exactly what you would expect from a ride like this. Some sections feel good, others do not. Downhill stretches give you a bit of momentum, but the climbs bring you back to reality very quickly.
Adapting as You Go
Plans changed as the ride went on.
I had originally planned to stop at certain points, but you quickly learn to adjust depending on how things are going. At one stage I pushed on further than planned to reach Dieppe, mainly to get proper rest and reset before continuing.
That balance between pushing on and making practical decisions is what gets you through.
The Final Leg
After crossing back to the UK, the final stretch into London felt different. Familiar roads, a clearer sense of the finish and the knowledge that the objective was within reach.
Arriving at Tower Bridge brought everything together. Not just the end of the ride, but the reason for doing it in the first place, arriving in time for the Operation Granby memorial event.
Time to Think
There is a lot of time to think on a ride like this.
Long stretches where it is just you, the road and your own thoughts. For me, it kept coming back to the same thing. The people we lost, the ones who carried on and those who are still dealing with the impact years later.
That is what MindfulStep is about.
Getting people out, together and back into environments where they can reconnect. No pressure, just shared experience.
What We Achieved
With the support of everyone who followed the journey, donated or shared it:
£2,912 was raised.
That support will make a real difference. Helping us take veterans out, fund future activities and continue building something that has purpose behind it.
What’s Next
This was never a one off.
The next challenge is already in place.
Ben Nevis, 3rd May 2026.
Get Involved
If you’ve followed the ride, supported it, or even just taken a moment to read this, thank you. It genuinely means a lot.
If you’re able to support what we’re building with MindfulStep, whether that’s through a donation or by getting involved in future events, it will make a real difference. Every bit of support helps us get more veterans out, connected and moving forward again.
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