27/02/2010 - I'm back! Survived - Very tired, legs still shaking but high as a kite! I made it! I had the most amazing time, met some wonderful people, and learnt alot about mind over matter. Being in a group of 6 girls from GK was great fun, friends for life! Ash was as strong as an ox, Elaine motivated everyone, Hayley was a hidden jem, Sara made me less afraid of clip-in shoes & Rachel shared some of those weak moments with me. Girls it was a blast!! xxx
20/02/2010 - Bike is on the lorry! Next time I see it we will be in Paris. Weather is improving slightly. Partially packed but struggling to fit it all in. Excited but nervous. Thanks once again for all the support. My team were lovely on Friday, lots of support and yes I will be twittering as much as possible. Cheers Julie xx
13/2/2010 - Monday week we will be on our way! Weather is not helping last minute training but thank goodness for the turbo! Aiming to get out twice this weekend if it stops snowing but I having heard that Rome has had its first Feb snow for 25 years I think we just have to accept it's going to be cold. Forecast for stage 3 is an average temp of -3, great! Group ride last weekend was good and there was a great team spirit. We will get each other across the finish line! Excited & nervous. Thanks to all who have supported me this far!
The Date - 22 February 2010 to the 26 February 2010
The Route - Paris to Twickenham Approx. 442 km - Yes 442km!!!
Never cycled this far in the gym over a month let alone on the roads over 4 days!!
Lawrence Dallaglio challenge is to Cycle to each 6 nation stadium - Rome to Nice, Nice to Paris, Paris to Twickenham, Twickenham to Fishguard, Rosslare to Edinburgh - Total of 2,780Km, 24 days in the saddle, average of 115Km per day across 5 stages. £1million target,
Sports Relief and the Dallaglio Foundation will share the funds on a 50:50 basis of which the Dallaglio challenge will be donating to DebRA, Help for Heroes, Leukaemia Research and the PRA Benevolent Fund. Check out the web site for more detail and to see participants!!! www.dallagliocycleslam.com
DebRa is a charity which helps those with a rare genetic skin blistering condition (skin and internal body linings blister at the slightest knock), Help for Heroes was a charity set up in 2007 to help those wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq and PRA Benevolent Fund is the Professional Rugby Association Fund which provides financial support to those who are forced to retire when seriously injured.
My personal target is £3,000.
My training is at the elementary stage, ie. still on old bike (new one on order) but fully aware of how much training will be needed over the coming "Winter" months. I will update you on how things are going with the training and provide some pics to show progress.
Thanks in advance.
Jules x
