Friday 12th March - The Final Day - Who thought it would arrive. The start is late again 10am, not so far today, the faces of the new ones that have joined us for the last day, look a bit apprehensive. The climb out of the hotel everyones been talking about, 2 miles uphill, between 5 and 10%. We made it!, now the undulating road to Edinburgh, sometimes open and the remnants of the heavy snowfalls the weeks before. A short food stop at the highest point, before the gradual descent into Edinburgh. On the outskirts I catch the main bunch and we all head towards Murryfield. Over the finish line and the Jobs Done! Now the photo call in the stadium, after a few well earned pints in the pub. Lawrence and the core team cycle through the Bicycle Guard of honour and everyone congratulates their comrades. Will I ever get the chance to do this again, I hope so! I have met some wonderful people, they'll stay friends for life! 55klms covered today - times and averages are irrelevant.
Watch this space! will start cycling again on Wednesday 10th March
Saturday 27th Feb - Rest Day
Friday 26th Feb - Left Maidstone at 8.15, the final leg for me, had to be in Twickenham by 3pm for a photo call in the stadium with the rest of the team and Prince Harry. The weather has improved from yesterday and very pleasant cycling through the Kent countryside. Experienced heavy traffic coming out of Maidstone, so slow progress for the first 10k. The sting in the tail came when we reached Biggin Hill, (and it was a Bigun!!), then another one, 5k later, someone walked their bike passed me while I was still climbing, but I didn't get off and join in. Reached the lunch stop at New Addington. Now the run in, to the Elephant & Castle, London Bridge, The City, Parliament, Buckingham Palace and the Kings Road. One more hill to do in Richmond Park, against a ferocious wind, nearly at a standstill at the top. A quick pint at Richmond Rugby Club, waiting for others to join the group, then the last 1 kilometer to Twickenham. 100k today and some of the steepest climbing of the whole trip, 5.52hrs, average 18.7kph. Met Prince Harry - as I was the only member of my team to have done the whole distance from Rome, His comment - "So you haven't had time to have your haircut then"!!
Thursday 25th Feb - Off to Blighty today, the usual early morning rise of 6am breakfast at 7, briefing then start again at 8am. A slow start out off Montreuil sur Mer, some tough hills early on, until the lunch stop at 60k, did an interview with local French TV, I hope they understood the garbled commentary, weather improving, as did the terrain, down hill now to the finish, we must make the Eurostar terminal by 12.30. Today we have been joined by a Eurostar cycling team, a mixture of French and English employees. Made the Eurostar at 12.45, a weird sensation, being on the train, just cyclists, No cars, bodies laying everywhere, enjoying the rest and some welcomed refreshment. A short cycle to Folkstone Rugby Club to collect the teams together for the last part of the journey to Maidstone. Still 50k to do, torrential rain from here, 3 mechanical breakdowns on my team, all the same guy, (Ross!!). Finished in Maidstone at 5.30, drenched. The last 35k in record time, with Jullian and Steve, Thanks for the Blast guys! 134k covered today in 5.52hrs, average 22.8, fastest 69.3kph
Wednesday 24th Feb - Another early start, up at 6 ready for the off at 8am. Started the day with a short bus trip to the Thiepval Cemetery and Somme War Museum, with the monument created by Sir Edwin Lutyens. Pouring with rain on this very, wet, cold, emotional day. The wreath laying service conducted by Major Sally, one of the physio team and Lawrence. (This can be seen on the BBC website). Left the cemetery at 11, still raining. The first part of the journey in undulating exposed countryside, I can imagine what it must have been like for those poor B******'s (soldiers) in 1916. 92k to do today, at the halfway stage, bright sunshine and a flat run into the finish at Montreuil sur Mer. 98k covered in 4.16hrs, average 22.7kph. Fastest speed of the trip so far 72.1kph.
Tuesday 23rd Feb - Left St Denis in Paris after photo call outside the Stade de France with the new team of 75 people participating in this leg. Bus to Clermont for the start. Did 92klm and finished up in Albert (the place not the bloke!) - it rained all day, very wet. Two team members dropped out for medical reasons. Got the rest of the team home in 4.06hrs at a 22.4kph average - fastest speed 63.1kph.
Monday 22nd Feb - BONJOUR PARIS! - Left Chablis at 8am by bus a little worse for wear after the party the night before. Started the last day at Nangis, wearing the yellow jersey. First 25klm in very strong cross winds, which improved once we were cycling by the Seine. Lunch stop at 51klm then mostly fiat going through the suburbs. The last 10klm was in heavy traffic. Finally reached the finish, a cafe near the Eiffel Tower - £8 a pint! Then a photo call under the Tower. Did 99klm today in 4.20hrs and an average speed of 22.8klm. Now got start Stage 3 tomorrow at 8am and home on Friday. Job done!
Sunday 21st Feb - Left Nevers at 8am. 139klm to do today, the first 50klm were long straits and undulating countryside. Tough going on the legs. Split from the team again, as the pace was too much. After lunch all downhill except for one climb near the end. Superb roads and very picturesque. Went wrong 25klm from the end, finishing in Chablis at 3pm. 155klm in 6.18hrs with an 24.6kph average speed for the stage 4 the stage. Two wine tastings later and dinner, now feeling a bit wasted.Two challenging days. I did get awarded the Yellow jersey, to rapturous applause by Lawrence for best rider of this week. A real honour, he's my bitch for today. Just under a 100klm do to the Eiffel Tower tomorrow.
Saturday 20th Feb - Left St Etienne at 8am on the bus for 2hrs to Laplisse. Started cycling to Nevers. The first 50klm at a crippling pace, 29.8kph until the lunch stop. Blew my legs away in the afternoon. Got to Nevers at 4pm, 114klm. Came in 2 minutes behind my team but still intact!
Friday 19th Feb - START OF STAGE TWO! - First team off from Pertuis with Lawrence and I heading the field out. Rain for the first 80 klms which was a fairly flat stage with one climb to 220mtrs. Averaged 26.6kph at that point, then confronted by a strong and biting 50kph Mistral wind. I was the only one in shorts; probably not the best choice! Went through the Cote du Rhone vineyards of Vacqueyras and Gigondas. Finished in Grignan 135k from the start in 6.18hrs cycling time. 21.8kph average for the distance. Now on the tour bus to St Etienne for next day's start point and a well earned beer! Or two!
Thursday 18th Feb - Left Mandelieu to Pertuis, on the coast and now heading up a new team (Gandolf) with the big man Lawrence Dallaglio. Left at 8.20am - first 50klm by the sea then inland for a 12klm climb to 590mtrs. Lunch 90klm and then mostly down hill for the next 70klm. Today we did 173klm in 7.22hrs at 24.3kph. A cruel pace for me hanging on the back. Off in the morning first team out.
You can see photos and live tracking of our progress at the following links:
Photos - http://www.dallagliocycleslam.com/gallery/
Live Tracking - http://www.dallagliocycleslam.com/live-tracking/
Wednesday 17th Feb - OOPS, A LITTLE WOBBLE THERE! - Genova to San Remo . First hour was a bit wobbly (drink induced), then very wet conditions all day. Achieved 126k in 5.26hrs. Staying at a swanky hotel in evening with a reception at £20million villa near Nice - Stunning!
Tuesday 16th Feb - La Spezia on the Italian Riviera heading inland. Climbing for most of the morning with one climb 12klm to 600metres then the rest down hill. We did 138klm in 7.12hrs to Genova. Hit Genova at rush hour! In the evening at a hotel where the Grand reception was held by LDall pasta company. As the team leader I had to award the yellow jersey to the best rider in the group. Best speech awarded by many. Stu won! Got very very dunk and eventually went to bed at 3am only to be up again at 6am!
Monday 15th Feb - YOU CAN'T KEEP ME DOWN - Set off from San Gimiginano with steep climbs for the first 1.5hrs. One climb at 19%! Then downhill for 25klms managed a top speed of 67.7kph. Flat for the next 100klm at 30kph average. Got to Pisa then suffered a puncture. 25klm further on I touched someone's back wheel and came off at 30kph. Grazed arm and bruised ribs again. Now on medication from doc. Total of 171k in 8.5hrs of the day. Tomorrow 138k in the Mountains in the morning then a flat finish in to Genova.
Sunday 14th Feb - REST DAY – going to watch the match - come on England!!!
SEE FOOTAGE FROM START OF CYCLE SLAM ON BBC iPlayer (only available until Sunday 21st Feb):
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FOOTAGE
or copy and paste this link into your browser:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00qvgzr/b00qvgyp/Six_Nations_Rugby_2010_Italy_v_England/
Time - 0.06.49 - Start of segment
Time - 0.07.08 - See the back of me just over Lee Dixon's left shoulder!
Time - 0.08.09 - Pause or you'll miss it! I'm the one 4th in from the left on the front row.
Saturday 13th Feb - At the end of Friday 12th I was voted to be the team leader of my group, a bit daunting as they only gave me the maps for the next days cycle at 11.30pm – we set off from the town Square in Bolsena following along the lake – at 33kms we went wrong cycling 18kms more that we needed and going to an altitude of 930kms – 400kms higher than we should, when back on the route we realised we were only 11kms further than when we left it – missed lunch stop but caught up later. The weather has been cold and misty but after 60kms became brighter – reached hotel at 6.30pm in the dark.
Time for a drink, catch up and good laugh and something to eat!!
180.1kms covered – 5 major climbs – 8hours 21mins in saddle – averaged 21.5kms per hour.
Friday 12th Feb - SO IT BEGINS - Started late from Flammini Stadium in Roma at 8.45 in snow. Police escort for 20klm then better weather for next 20klm on flattish road. Went wrong by 2klm with bunch of 5 riders. Started snowing again very heavy at the start of 3klm climb. At the top the snow was 35mm deep. The 4klm decent had to be abandoned. Trip at Suitra 51klm so too dangerous to carry on. In cafe for 1hr waiting 4 others and bus back to the hotel at Bolsena. 167klm tomorrow with the weather forecast looking better. More tomorrow!
STOP PRESS - Now leaving for Heathrow and the flight to Rome tomorrow. Ready to start the journey on Friday at 8am, from Rome back to the UK. Watch out for the updates. Because I have now started, the fund raising doesn't stop, it still goes on. Please, Please, donate it's not too late.
PLEASE Donate if you haven't already done so!
(Thanks to those that have already donated or pledged)
Thank you once again to all who have supported me !!!
Watch out for my daily update blog while I'm on the road
DEDICATED to my father-in-law -
Frederick John James - who died of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia - 21st October 2009
Yes,
I must be Mad…
In July 2006 I unexpectedly had a heart attack, something that came totally out of the blue. But this made me realise that life’s too short and it’s not a dress rehearsal. So after my rehabilitation I decided to pack as much into my life as possible.
My first fit of Madness… in 2008 I cycled solo from Alton in Hampshire to Malaga, southern Spain for Breast Cancer Care and my Heart Rehab Centre… a trip of a lifetime, 17 days, 2300 kilometres and a whole lot of memories.
Since then I have kept up my cycling passion and now train regularly.
Better to be Mad than dull…
Recently whilst visiting my friend and client Paul Collins at Reynolds… the next phase of madness was about to unfold.
His acquaintance, Lawrence Dallaglio had asked him to take part in the Dallaglio Cycle Slam 2010. This event is linked to the Six Nations Rugby tournament throughout February and March 2010. Each stage (5 in all) taking in an International match enroute – Rome - Nice... Nice - Paris... Paris - Twickenham... Twickenham - Cardiff...
Paul did the sensible thing, he declined…Yes you’ve guessed it, madness prevailed, before I knew it, I was at the inaugural Cycle Slam meeting in London, fully signed up for the next challenge in my life.
Admittedly I had been looking for another challenge since the ride to Spain and it seemed a great event to get involved with. It’s now more poignant, because as I write this blog, my father-in-law is desperately ill in hospital with terminal Leukaemia, (one of the charities being supported) so the Ride has taken on another dimension for me personally.
Although the main charity is SportRelief, 50% of the donations made, will go to the Dallaglio Foundation, this money being split between five other charities the Foundation is supporting-
DebRA – Help for Heroes – Leukaemia Research –
Cancer Research – The PRA Benevolent Fund (the Rugby players charity)
To find out more about the Slam, visit the website – www.dallagliocycleslam.com
Now be Mad yourself!!!
I know you aren’t silly enough to join me on the ride, but keep an eye on my page and be Mad Enough to support me and all the worthy causes the event is helping.
Dig deep and Help me raise £6000+… the more I raise, the further I ride.
Please donate as much as you can… It’s not for me…It’s for them!
