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London to Paris by Bike - JAC Petty Officer Rides for Charity

By Chief Petty Officers' Mess, JIOCEUR Analytic Center / Published October 06, 2008

JAC Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Steven D. Painter completed a 180 mile race from London to Paris which ended with him cycling under the famed Paris Eiffel Tower on Sepember 29, 2008. For the JAC petty officer this was just another challenge following completion of two Tokyo marathons during his previous tour of duty at Yokosuka, Japan. In completing the race, Petty Officer Painter helped raise money for the National Deaf Children's Society. (Photo courtesy of Steven Painter)
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JAC Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Steven D. Painter completed a 180 mile race from London to Paris which ended with him cycling under the famed Paris Eiffel Tower on Sepember 29, 2008. For the JAC petty officer this was just another challenge following completion of two Tokyo marathons during his previous tour of duty at Yokosuka, Japan. In completing the race, Petty Officer Painter helped raise money for the National Deaf Children's Society. (Photo courtesy of Steven Painter)

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ROYAL AIR FORCE MOLESWORTH, England -- Petty Officer 1st Class Steven D. Painter likes a challenge. Wherever he has been stationed during his Navy career, he has competed in athletic events.

With two Tokyo marathons during his tour of duty in Yokosuka, Japan under his belt, the young sailor was looking for a new challenge during his tour in the United Kingdom -- and one which would be easier on his injured ankles.

Cycling under the famed Paris Eiffel Tower on Sepember 29, 2008 after a 180 mile (289 kilometer) trek from London in just three days met his test for a new adventure, and raised money for a charity as well.

The National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) is the national charity dedicated to creating a world without barriers for deaf children and young people. The petty officer knows the importance of this work from personal experience in his own family.

London's Crystal Palace was the starting point for the challenge. The first day's ride took the group of thirty riders to the Southeastern England port of Newhaven where the group caught a ferry to Dieppe, France that night. After a 50 miles (80 Kilometer) ride through the Normandy countryside to Gourney en Bray where they spent the night, it was on to Paris.

After several uphill stretches, the group completed the competitive portion of the challenge on the outskirts of Paris before cycling as a group from the Bois de Boulogne to the Eiffel Tower. What's next for the JAC sailor? Petty Officer Painter is looking at future cycling events here in the UK.