Blog update, Saturday 6th March....

JOB DONE!

5 days, and c280 miles later, I know a bit more about how to cycle, and a bit more about myself. The Dallaglio Cycle Slam, 4th Stage, was a pretty amazing experience for colleague and friend Jonnie May and myself. For me, the 2nd day was always going to be the biggest hurdle to overcome, and so it proved, with an 80 mile ride being double what I had attempted in my 7 week build up to the challenge. Some very dark moments for me on what was fortunately a beautiful day - had it been into the wind and raining I really don't think I would have made it through to Old Sodbury.

But I did, and thanks in large part to the group of fellow riders, of which I was comfortably "The Weakest Link". Helped by some great advice from Pierre, our brilliant pro cyclist leader ("Catch the Wheel Mike", "Change the gear Mike", "Your saddle is too low Mike"), I didn't throw up or throw the towel in, and so Tuesday saw an improvement, cruising through more beautiful countryside, and over the bridge to Wales in the company of the great  Welsh winger Ieuan Evans, who joined our group for the "right" two days.

What followed was a huge reality check, two days where we discoverd there are more hills than sheep in Wales, two in particular will stick in my mind: day 4 somewhere unpronouncable, a village strung out over 2km (may have been 2 miles, it went on forever), which defeated me good and early. Hardcore riders of course got up it, but for the likes of me, it was a challenge to walk it - I've owned 2 cars which would not have made it without stopping half way.

The other was only 3 miles from Fishguard, just as you thought "there can't be a sting in the tail", there it was: a "20%" (that's 1 in 5!) sign, lurking round the corner, dashing my hopes of getting through the final day undefeated.

Another lesson learned, at the end of 5 days which I can look back on with quiet satisfaction.

It's Oscar time, so fitting to end with a few thank you's: Anka, and my family for goading me into it, Michelle for the 5 training sessions, advice and enthusiasm, and  Jonnie for wanting to do the ride more than me, then putting up with my snoring (I was better at this than him, but not riding), Pierre and the group of guys who waited for me on the Monday (especially Alan, who hung back and nursed me through), and of course, the whole entourage responsible for a brilliantly organised DCS. 

Thanks too, to all of you who have pledged money, and to all who are about to - please help get me reach the target of £5,000 that I have set. It would be really nice to get to this finish line, and do my bit for all those that are in a less fortunate position than me.

Finally, I've been asked whether I will keep the cycling going - ask me in a few weeks time!

Regards

Mike "Not the Weakest Link" Sears