Sunday 26th (AKA the last day!!!!)

Well it had to come to an end sometime, I know you're all going to miss my irritating emails telling you that I've updated the website but dont worry, we'll do something else next year to annoy you all again!

We did at least go out with a bang today and I mean a BANG, I decided to stick a bit more air in Paul's tyres to make life a little easier as he was the only one of the four of us on a mountain bike, a combination of a worn rim and too much puff from me saw the rim litteraly blow apart, it was like a gun shot and I am just glad no body was hurt, a series of wheel and bike changes got him up and running but when he got to Bury Hill it all got too much and the support vehicle was too tempting, I have to say he got twice as far as I would have done on his bike so dont feel bad Paul.

A tinge of nostalgia on the day too, many of you will know that my late Father was an "Ace" cyclist in his day and whilst I miss him like hell, I can at least think of him every time I ride, added to this today was Bob's awsome "vintage" bike that has sat in Bob's garage since his fathers passing and this ride stimulated him into a full renovation of this 1950 classic racer his father used when he raced in the Wembley area in his late teans. 

Chestnut Tree House did not disapoint with their welcome either, first of all the garden that BALI South Thames built last year has been maintained beautifully by Shelly  and her team of eager volunteers, this is always nice to see as it means that our hard work was recognised and valued and the garden would not have wone its recent award if it had not been nurtured to such a high standard, great job team. Another nice thing to see was baby Maisy (sorry not sure of the spelling) she was just a bump on Shelly when we were building the garden and what a bundle of joy (and noise) she is now, congratulations.

I now need to thank the team that enabled me to do the easy bit, the riding. My wife Sue (the best wife I have) she has been through the thought, the planning (what little there was on my part) and of course the week itself, its not been the easiest week for her for a number of reasons but she didn't waiver in her support. The Greenfingers team, especially Helen and John who arranged, welcomed and pushed me off through the ride. Alec and Gail the Driver/Navigators who got me and Sue through London, Wiltshire & Sons in conjuction with Ssangyong for providing the support vehicle (which my wife loves so you had better give me a quote Baryy), Ella (my Daughter) who has been navigating, uploading photos to the web and shouting at me for not mentioning her in the blog. Viv & Al to day for your support when we needed it most. It was also great to see the Gardiner Clan out in force this morning to see us off from Guildford. Finally the team that rode with me on this, the last day of the challenge, Paul (so close) Cowell, "Vintage" Bob Hewitt and finally Brian (his idea of training is 12 pints the day before) Herbert, you made the last day (apart from Bury Hill) easy and fun so thanks for that guys.

That just leaves me to thank all of you guys for the support both moral and financial without which it would not be worth doing.

Thanks everyone, now its time for dinner, Byyyyeeeeeeee!!!

Richard

Saturday 25th

Thanks to Captain Gail (Ace Navigator) both my Wife and the Car managed to find there way from Barking to Guildford today in time to meet me there, Thanks Gail, as with Alec yesterday, it really is appreciated.

The ride started really well today, again I love urban riding and it didn't disapoint today, so much so that it was a little on the boring side once I cleared Cheam. I had forgotten the contours of the A264 from Leatherhead to Guildford but let me tell you that it's not flat!! So all in all pretty bushed by the time I arrived especially as I had forgotten to oil my chain this morning and on a warm day like today it was dry after 20 or so miles, how irritating can a squeek be!

I think I should have been judging the warness of each welcome at the hospices particularly with regards the home made cakes on offer, today's lemon cake at Chase was quite fantastic, close run thing between that and the banana at Helen house, no pressure for tomorrow then Chestnut Tree House!!

There are a few noble bruts joining me on the last leg tomorrow which I have to say I am looking forward to, A. Because its the last day, B. Because I will have company and C. Because I want to see the Meadow Garden in Arundel that we all built nearly a year ago.

It would be great if there was someone there to see us of at Artington Park and Ride in the morning about 09.45hrs or see us in at Arundel around 13.00hrs.

Thanks again for your support and I will draw things to a close on this site tomorrow night.

Cheers

Richard

Friday 24th

First of all a huge thank you to Alec who stepped in for Sue today in my support vehicle, she didn't fancy central London so Alec volunteered and it was really welcome, thanks so much.

Anyway I was looking forward to today, for some mad reason I like a bit urban biking and it doesn't get much more urban than Hampton to Barking, does it? Drove through rain to get to the start which by the time we arrived was sunny, until we ventured out of the car then it started and to be honest didn't stop until I reached about Clapham (that's South Chelsea for those that have property interests in the area). By the time I got to the city I had to loose the shades, no good for the look but I was afraid I was going to crash into a stationary tree coming in the other direction!!

Weather aside it was a great run, I know London quite well and I have to say I love it (maybe its because I'm nearly a Londoner) so navigation even when not perfect was easy, whilst riding down the A13 I couldn't get the song out of my head (a little in joke for all you Billy Brag bods out there) and it is the A road the okay road its the best.

Did the trip in 2 hrs and 45 seconds and beat Alec there just like the Top Gear programme where Hampster beat all comers to London City Airport 

Easy days riding really, not too many miles and beat some buses down the A13 so all is good, just time for a massage before dinner now (yes I am joking) speak to you all tomorrow, oh and Marmite your donation was not anonymous, thanks to all those donations and Kathy I can tell you that the cream is good!!!!!!!!!!

Bye for now

Richard

Thursday 23rd July

Slowish start this morning, thought the hills of Bucks & Oxon had gotten to my legs but they came back to life after 15 or 20 miles so all was well!

Some great countryside today, rolling hills (yes more hills) and beatiful little "leafy lanes" then into Henley Maidenhead and on into Surrey, made good time didn't get lost hence no rows!!

The garden at Shooting Stars Hospice is really fantastic and due to the design of both building and garden it gets viewed from just about everywhere so even if the kids cant get into the garden they can still benefit from it, the landscaping around the new wing is really complmentary to the rest of the garden too, great job. 

Thanks for a great day on the donations front and I do love the messages they are great to read during the breaks, nice to know there is someone out there.

About half way now and the old backside is getting a touch tender but I'll leave that there before I give you all too much information.

Thanks again for the comments and donations.     

PS. from yesterday, I meant to say that I saw one of John O'conner's gangs out and about in Wendover yesterday, they were doing a great job John and I'll collect my secret shopper fee when I next see you!! 

Wednesday 22nd July

Oh boy, what a day! If day1 was wet and flat, day2 was pretty dry, full of hills with more wind than you can shake a stick at. I was riding into a harsh, relentless, energy sapping south westerly all day long. It knocked my average speed down from 17.6mph yesterday to a cumulative 15.3 mph by the end of today, probably an average of around 12mph for the day.

Anyway once we finally made it, there was a warm welcome, some much needed refreshments and a tour of the great "Greenfingers" garden waiting for us.

Head down now for a long one tomorrow.

Regards

Richard  

Tuesday 21st July

Hey guys, we made it!

It took a while longer than it should (47 miles instead of the planned 34) but we got there in the end!!

Unfortunately it meant we couldn't make our appointment at Downing Street which was a blow but we are staying at Auntie Marie's tonight which is always fantastic.

Getting set for the morning now, Luton to Oxford, should be about 35 miles but I'll probably manage it in around 50+  

Please pray for better weather I'm sure it would be quicker in the sunshine!!

Till tomorrow.

Richard

Monday 20th July

Last day of prep, I collected the Mission Support Vehicle (MSV) from Wiltshires today it has buildt in sat nav so it wont get lost even if I do!! Thanks must again go to SangYong and Wiltshires of Farnham for their support in this venture.

I cycled just a few miles to make sure my legs were working and have packed up the vehicle with the important things like bikes, spares and accesories.

Just need a road to ride, so until tomorrow byeeee!

Sunday 19th July

Spent the afternoon playing a bit of footie at the annual Backhurst bash, just the thing to take your mind off the 245 miles ahead (too busy nursing the bruises!) Thanks guys and safe trip home!!

(see pictures for a bit of a laugh!)

More tomorrow as we set up for the journey!

Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.
Not long now before I cycle 245 miles in aid of "Greenfingers" a charity associated with my industry as it builds gardens for childrens hospices, this will take place from 21st to 26th July 2009.

I will be visiting 7 of the 27 gardens already built by Greenfingers more than anything I would like you to sponsor me and if you would like to, YOU can join me for the last leg of the trip, a picturesque 35 miles through the Surrey and Sussx countryside and, on a ‘sunny’ Sunday in July, what could be nicer?!?! For more details please email me richard@norg.co.uk

Thanks to Wiltshire & Sons and SangYong who are providing my support vehicle and to those who are joining me on the last leg, your support may be needed by then!!

I have decided to to run donations through Justgiving as it is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Greenfingers Charity gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now!

Thanks in advance, Richard Gardiner