Day 5 - WE MADE IT

Day 4

Kate has updated a bit on today so I'll keep in short.

What a scorcher! It was hot hot hot today, the hottest place in the country, a blistering 25 degrees. Luckily we have no serious burns but Kate has some cracking tan lines.

Today started with the staff at The Best Western a little frazzled as no one had told them that there was a group of cyclist wanting a 6.00am breakfast, luckily they whipped us up some cereal and the vital tea and coffee. We then set off and had a great run to our second breakfast. Everyone should have a second breakfast especially at a vegetarian cafe, which was exactly where we pulled up. All those expecting their bacon and sausage rolls were treated to a nice bit of wholesome tofu! Brilliant.

I think we were all a little apprehensive about the 9 mile hill we knew we had to climb and it was certainly a hill. It went on forever. Justin, part of our support crew, did the honorable thing and got naked holding a, 'GO TEAM STEELCASE' sign covering his modesty. It did the trick and when spirits were getting low it gave us all a laugh and a boost up the hill. Thanks for taking one for the team Justin. We arrived at the top and the views were incredible. The Lake District is very pretty especially in the sunshine, I've only ever seen it in the rain, probably like most of the residents.

When we got to the top of the hill it was a four mile down hill stretch to lunch. We had a good break, refueled and set off on the last 30 miles to Carlisle. They were a great last 30 miles along country lanes. Spirits were good when we pulled up to the hotel.

We were treated to an extra bit of exercise after we checked in as we clearly hadn't done enough today, the hotel lifts were out of order. Just what you want after cycling over 95 miles a climb up three flights of stairs with luggage.

Another brilliant day all round. Last day tomorrow and we cant wait to arrive in Glasgow.

We have seen the most amount of road kill today. Poor Peter Rabbit x10 and those not so lucky magpies.

A short blog before a well earned meal and Lucy's official end of the day update - you might like to know that the blog is written every night after dinner and read to us as a bedtime story. Today was all about the hills, which will be reported, but the response this morning to the topography - oh yes, we're all talking bike geek now - was, 'what, a 9 mile uphill, 9 miles, all uphill, up hill for 9 miles?', it only sank in after about 2 miles when already puffing like an old steam train. No idea if the views were worth it as my vision was half way up still with my legs.

We've seen some excellent signs en route, starting with Live Reptile Food, Pigeon Food (heading North at this point), Closing Down Sale - thanks for your custom and finally today's favourite, Preston - Home of the Massive Onion.

We're all still friends, but everyone has started to reveal their own phrases and quirks, some as follows....

Mark Spragg - 'I know the way, why is no one listening to me, I used to live here'

Zoe - 'I need a happy bush' - such a lovely way of describing an au natruel loo stop

Neil - says nothing, just blasts past at 100 mph

Nick Mann - a cycling repetoire of punk bands, complains the least but looks like he needs his batteries recharged over dinner.

Kap - the downhill destroyer, 'why does anyone brake down a hill?'

Alistair - 'it's a net downhill', right, so there are some ups then

Me - 'go past me, I'm scared of going fast'

Mark Stafford - too much to mention really but 'oh look, were climbing, we're 500 feet above sea level, this is really useful information'

All - No Mark, it's not, and if you mention it again you can cycle back to London

Last day tomorrow, over 100 miles still to go, wish us well!

Kate

Day 3

We are now over half way through our charity challenge and we're all feeling good. Spirits are high but legs are sore.

We have arrived at another Best Western! and we are looking forward to our beds. We have had another day of fantastic cycling the sun has been shining all day.

There has been a few hills to climb in preparation for tomorrow which will be the hilliest day but they wont beat us!

The morning flew by and we were soon at the Manchester showroom where we were greeted with Dominos Pizza. We had a good break and stretch. It turns out that the B free lounge is not just good for impromptu meetings in in-between areas but also a great piece of equipment for stretching tired legs.

We waved goodbye to Manchester and trucked on through Salford, Bolton and into the trough of Bolan and climbed over 1000ft. We finally made it into Chorley.

Along route, Guess who said said after breakfast: "Can anyone feel their sausage?"

Kate and I (Lucy) were offered the use of a toilet in a strangers home. Reluctantly we accepeted. As we left the man announced: "You didnt think you were getting off that easlily?". With imgaes of being dragged to the chaps cellar, all he wanted was a kiss on the cheek, a quick peck later, we were out of there like a rocket.

At a much needed Jock stop having just climbed hills for the last 20 minutes in the blistering heat and running low on water we found Jock holding his leg with cramp. Dont worry about us Jock desperate for water.

Another day done and looking forward to Day 4. Photos to come.

Waiting for Mark to finish his photoshoot - not that anyone's complaining!

This trip was worth it for this picture alone!

Day 2

An early start for Day 2. We were up, fueled and had hit the road by 7am. Mounting the bike was hard especially on the bum.

We have had another great day. The morning was beautiful cycling through country lanes in the sunshine, although it was fresh at 7.00am. A few wrong turns later and some nasty hills to climb we arrived at Stratford upon Avon for breakfast, which was where we awarded Mark Stafford quote of the day.

"Is there a river that runs through Stratford upon Avon?" to which we replied, "Yes, that would be the river Avon Mark"

We carried onto lunch and fueled ourselves up on some good pub grub!

After lunch we set off and said goodbye to the country lanes and hello to traffic lights, cars and potholes as we headed for Birmingham. After a quick hello to Amanda at the Steelcase Birmingham office, who greeted us with balloons, chocolate cake and tea, we were off again for the last 30 miles of the day. They were hard with lots of up's and down's, wrong turns and the first puncture!

A few hours later we had arrived at the hotel and not a moment too soon.

Day 1 Photos

Day 1

A good first day. We have covered about 97 miles, cycled through some beautiful countryside and eaten, in a day, more than I would normally eat in a week. We are all pretty shattered and looking forward to our beds.

There has been some great moments. Here are some highlights:

- Mark Stafford arrived at Steelcase at 6am with a vibrating massage couch in hand, We are yet to try it but all intrigued.

- We stopped for breakfast at 8.30 and ordered the usual scrambled egg, bacon roll. Kate ordered the classic English breakfast with a portion of prawns and rose Marie sauce. ( we have been assured it was delicious and the perfect combination of protein and carbs)

- 97 miles was not enough for Neil, who cycled an extra 25 miles, what a hero!

- Kap has cycled the furthest he has ever cycled

- Mark Stafford has just announced at dinner: "I'm so tired I really need my bed. I cannot be arsed to talk to anyone anymore"

We have some cracking photos that Jock has taken in a action hero style, hanging out the van as he drives past us.

We are all injury free, and after a nights sleep we will be raring to go on Day 2.

See you all tomorrow.

Count Down

I have packed, eaten a big dinner and set my alarm clock for 4.25am yes that is am in case you were wondering.

The plan is to meet the rest of the team at the Steelcase Worklife in Farringdon at 6am for a 6.30am start. My train, the first one of the day, gets into London at 5.55 so I'm cutting it fine. Then off we trot!

So nothing left to do now, I am ready, other than have another biscuit for energy of course.

Not long to go!

Today we have our final meeting before the challenge.


There is no pulling out we are all going and we are all going to get to Glasgow on our bikes! Come rain or shine...... please shine please shine. I really do not think that I can cycle 100 miles a day in the pouring rain. I mean, my mascara will run into my eyes! (only joking I'm no amateur I have waterproof)

Remember to keep up to date with us as we go along. I can guarantee there will be some stories to report!

Mark looks ready but are the rest of us..........................

My first training session

I recently met fellow cyclists at a party, they will be competing in the Dragon Run apparently, so agreed to join them for a practice run. We met at 05.45, early but by all accounts the best time to register best average road speed, no traffic you see. I noticed everybody wore black body suits, skin tight to reduce drag, therfore necessary, with wrap around death ray glasses, prevents full on bug impact at high speed, so a safety measure, therefore also necessary. Everybody had a Garmin satnav watch, they said they would keep me up to speed with the stats as we whent along, which would be usefull i thought. I could tell nobody was planning to stop for a picnic on route, clearly no where to keep the sandwiches, i had sensibly stashed breakfast and lunch under the tea towel in the basket on the front, imagine how smug i felt. My bike doesn't have any carbon components, but does have a nice gilded plaque on the frame which says Reynolds 531, which i am told means quality. I was given it by my neighbour who used to cycle to the village hall to do his stand up comic session for the pensioners, so hasn't done many miles, he has retired now, said the pensioners didn't get his jokes anyway, in fact most fell asleep. To cut a long story short i lost my fellow cyclists within 5 minutes of where we met, so i headed back home and back to bed. That was my first training session............ i can feel the raised fitness levels coming through already.

Will let you know how the next session goes, if i am invited that is.

Cheers

Nick Mann

Mark Stafford's training - I'm seriously worried

This is the face of Mark Stafford (aka - a pretty awesome cycler!)

I have just received Mark's training update and I am a little worried that I'm not going to cut the mustard!

Mark is currently cycling to and from work twice a week, that is 28 miles each way as well as doing TWO 50 mile cycles at the weekend. Mark has the right idea, perhaps this is why he is looking so happy in his picture.

I'm going to have to crank it up a gear I think. I have decided to follow suit and cycle from Hitchin, Herts into London on Friday and a couple of times next week too. That's about 35 miles each way, hopefully that will do the trick.

Thanks for the update Mark - keep them coming!!