In 2007, I met Steve Prescott for the first time. I was so inspired with his personal strength and drive and his unselfish nature to help others even though he was suffering badly himself that I joined his Charity walk accross the North of England totalling a distance of 211 miles. In 2008, I once again put on the walkng shoes and superseded the previous years efforts by covering 250 miles and raising money for two amazing charities close to Steve's Heart.

This year we are undertaking a mammoth challenge in which we will cycle from Perpignon in the South of France to Wembley stadium incoporating a 24 mile dragon boat trek and running a half Marathon. This will be achieved in just 12 days!.

The two great Charities which we are raising funds for are Christies and the RFL Benevolent fund.

The training which has taken months and has taken us all away from our families has been hard and intense and the mental strength required will push us to our limits.

Please can you support me in my quest to raise funds for less fortunate people than ourselves.

My sincere thanks and appreciation

Rich.

 

well , I am now well into the Journey and have found 5 minutes to write.

Day 1.

We left Perpignon on Monday the 17th and made our way to Carcassonne, at the hottest part of the day temperatures reached 42 degrees in a heat wave that realy took its toll on the group.We arrived extremely tired but in good spirits, Carcassone is extremely beautiful with the town enclosed in a medievil castle, we briefly passed through it after dinner at the hotel and was fast asleep by 10.

Day 2.

THE BIG ONE!!. after the first day completing 75 miles we anticipated 92 miles, we actually did 96 miles in amazing heat. I would like at this point to say thanks to our support vehicle, all the competitors are drinking 6-8 liters of fluids whilst on the road, the support are constantly buying water to supply us.

Day 3.

A bit of a grueler!!. 80 miles of hills, beautiful scenery but very hot and difficult. tired today.

Day 4.

The Hardest so far!!, 78 miles of extremely tough rolling hills and some unexpected climbs. arrived in great time but it took a lot of effort, lets see what tomorrow brings.

Day 5.

Still Hot but arriving in Chatereauroux made it worth it, 78 miles today and cycling at some pace, averaging 20 miles and hour, had a nice lunch break with a coffee and a beer.

Day 6.

Well today a little bit of a rest bite, just 65 miles we set off a little later this morning, an 8 am start on the road saw us arrive on Blois in the afternoon which gave us the opertunity to have a walk around and samle some of the local wine.The heat is still around and I rally could not get to grips with the fuzzy Duck game, even though Gary Connely tried to help me I was still useless!!. ha ha. a good evening.

Day 7.

The weekend was supposed to be slightly less miles but the 6 am starts are not easy day after day. I wish I could move my alarm an hour forward to 6 , these 5 am wake ups are taking there toll. a slower pace today for every one. some repairs to be made as some of the lads havent managed to learn the art of using their brakes!, went into Chartres to look for a cycle shop and had a coffe under the magnificant cathederal, an amazing building and I even had a moment with the big man upstairs to ask him to ensure we all got home safely and with less repairs.

Day 8.

The heat is slowly reducing as we head North, a 95 miler today into Rouen, quite a big city and its fair to say we are all extremely tired, more repairs after dinner and in bed for 10.

Day 9.

84 miles today from Rouen to Abbevlle, I can nearly smell Roast Beef and Yorkshire puddings!!, The Roads are becoming more busy as we approach the Channel but all motorist are very respectful of cyclists. A very fun day today to help us get through it, we were split into 3 groups and had to perform certain tasks during the day,  a naked photo and a swim in a River, a beer on route, a funny photo, a photo with an old lady, certain items to be collected including balloons, onions and poppies. What started as a fun day soon brought us back down to reality with some extremely long and tiring hills, becoming more and more tired now!.

Day 10.

Today was the hardest day for me, 124 miles, a ferry crossing and a blown tire. We set off from Abberville with 90 miles to cycle before arriving in Calais, extemely hard hills towards the end. We then cycled onto the P&O ferry and had 2 hours rest before rolling off in Dover to cycle to Ashford, 800 miles to date and not a problem with the roads, as we were crossing the Channel the French support vehicles had been abandoned in Calais and all our spares were put onto the Royal mail support truck. Just my luck to be 15 miles from Ashford and my carbon tire blew out. My spare wheels are now not with the support vehicle so I had to wait by the road side for it to be brought to me, I have to thank the lads who waited with me, we are now a very strong team who is supporting each other day in day out, Anthony Sullivan, Chris Joint, Shaun Keenaghan, Paul Barow, Many thanks!!, we all cycled at breakneck speed through the rain to get to the Hotel befor dark. absolutely Knackered tonight!!.

Day 11.

Yesterday really took its toll, I have never seen such tired bodies, Steve Prescott just about collapsed as he made it into the Hotel car park, I saw today the extent of what it means to everyone to complete this challenge, nobody was prepared to give in and as result have put themselves through the mill. The cycle into London was tricky and it took an hour before my legs would really work properly, just under 80 miles today to make it to Windsor, we had a couple of beers at the finishing line as we had completed the first of the three diciplines.

Day 12.

Dragon boating was always good fun over 500 meters against anouther boat in a race , but 27 miles along the Thames !!!, give me strength, The last 5 miles which felt like 55 miles realy hurt us all and we really had to dig deep. A near capsize and in very blusterry conditions didnt deter us from our goal,  Johny Vegas joined us for a leg and raised our spirits for an hour, but its very dificult to paddle when your laughing. Our helm was knocked uncontious and we had to make an emergency stop to get him safely ashore. but we reached Teddington locks around six o clock and made our way back to the hotel for a quick shower before a feed and bed.

Day 13.

The Run, running was never going to be easy after 900 miles and my legs felt like lead, in normal fashion we got lost but ran into Wembley to rapturous applause by all the support who have been following us over the last 2 weeks.

To see all the team complete the Challenge was quite emotional , Steve Presscott, hero!!. what more can I say about a man who unselfishly dedicates his life to raising awarness and funds for people who are suffering.

To walk around Wembley stadium on a lap of honour was the icing on the cake in the presence of such amazing people. a truly amazing experience in which I have learnt more about myself and have made some friends for life.

Many thanks for all those who have supported me and the team.

To Steve, his family and all the team "god bless", we did it !!, lets think about the next challenge.

 

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