Firstly thanks to all who have already donated, i upped my target today as you've already beaten my target of £500. The whole thing is going really well and already by the 26th november(we havent even started yet) have raised more than £6'000 on the streets of plymouth city centre in only 2 days!!!

WHAT WE'RE DOING:

Myself and 10 other lads from 4 Asslt Sqn Royal Marines are cycling from Plymouth-Tavistock-Lympestone-Bristol-Worecester-Leicester-Sheffield-York-Redcar-Durham over 9 days clocking up over 500 miles  in order to raise cash for help the heroes and some local Durham charities.

All of us will be riding every leg and we have a support wagon to assist with any mechanical or safety issues with the bikes. So if you see us on the road dont hesitate to "get on the horn" and show some support

Please feel free to back this needy cause no matter how small or large, every little helps!!

You can find more detail and the PRESS RELEASE of the event at:

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.14354/changeNav/6568 

http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/defence/Marines-start-550-mile-cycle-marathon/article-510737-detail/article.html

http://www.tavistock-today.co.uk/tn/News.cfm?id=25714&headline=Music%20and%20more%20for%20the%20Marines

http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/inthemedia.html

http://ts10.gazettelive.co.uk/2008/12/wheely_good_effort.html

Day 1 Thu 27th Nov Plymouth - Tavistock 

16 miles - a cheeky little eye opener for the boys!!!                                   

Come join in at the Ordulph Arms in tavistock and watch a live Un-armed combat display and live band - All proceeds from the night kindly donated from the pub go to HELP FOR HEROES

And a big Thanks for all the support and free services on all our bikes from COGS BIKES in plymouth find our link on their website www.cogs-bikes.com

Day 2 Fri 28th Nov Tavistock - Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (Lympestone)

47 naughty ones across the scenic delights of less than flat Dartmoor

The day went quite smoothly after ironing out a few basics in cycling and those of us on road bikes laughing at the expense of those on mountain bikes with tractor tyres. And then finished the day of with a successful collection from the generous public on Exeter High St.

Day 3 Sat 29th CTCRM - Royal Marines Reserve Bristol

89 soul searching miles; born a phrase "its all down hill from here" - CHEERS BOSS!!!!!

Some of us may remeber this as their "longest day", i know i asked myself a few questions on this leg!!! i think it was at this point the saddle started to upset a few of the group. Lost the mountain bikes after todays slog and would like to say a big thanks publicly to the Bristol bike store www.bikeworkshop.co.uk for their kind lend of the red rocket, on on Mne "SCUD" Salter!!

Day 4 30th RMR Bristol - Worecester TA unit

67 looooooooong roman miles

This day was probably, or so we thought the easiest day, until we hit the roman road that runs all the way into worecester, what a soul destroyer; being able to see so much of what lays ahead!!! but morale soon took a raise when we were warmly welcomed into the warmth of the caretaker at the TA barracks, now, now, now, now what more can i say

Thanks for your hospitality

Day 5 1st dec Worecester TA unit -Training Ship Tiger (SEA CADET UNIT LEISCESTER)

75 Bone chilling large ones

The day started as it had ended the day before with a heart warming climb out of bristol where we followed the low ground most of the way up to worescester before finishing with a few climbs then a mad dash through rush hour traffic - i think SGT Geoff "youth, me duck, youth" Whinfrey, the dad of the group and also the support wagon driver bringing up the rear's heart skipped more than a couple of beats due to proximity of some local drivers. And to top it off - a night in a bunk onboard a mock of HMS Fearless!!!

A big warm Thanks for the hospitality to the gang at TS Tiger - 

Day 6 2nd Dec TS TIGER (Leicester) - Sheffield

62.5 miles

For me 1 of the easiest days, the group has now become quite slick and finally weighed of the art of staying as a group and keeping in each others slip stream to aid the cyclists at the rear. Although a few little niggles and pains are starting to show among the lads, the cold weather not helping on the joints!!! im sure its all good for you!!!

Day 7 3rd Dec Sheffield - York (Queen Elizibeth's Barracks)

60 Shockingly flat miles

Again quite a nice day but probaly 1 of the coldest, the group now has a good rythm (assisted by the mainly smooth roads on this leg) and is keeping a good pace throughout, averaging around 17/18 MPH on the flat. We made very good time on this leg, eating up the 60 miles in just over 4 hours, with much to our amazement no major hills "i thought we were in yorkshire!"

Day 8 4th Dec  York - Redcar

47 miles all under 1 roof

Sever snow and gail warnings isuued across humbre and yorkshire - wait out for update:

Due to a minimum of 7 inches of snow and ice along our route, Fitness First, YORK, kindly let us use there spinning bikes and 2 computer programmed resistance bikes to tick off the milage we needed to cover on this leg.

another kind thanks for the support we recieved at the centre. 

Day 9 Redcar - Durham Market Square (finish line)

49 speedy miles

A speedy leg this 1 as we were on a tight deadline to meet the runners from the ship, running in the last 3 miles into the market square to cross the finish line just behind us, quite hilly and fairly poor road conditions with the sleet and snow, and after the press photo shoot with the town mayor, the event was put to bed over a pint of Guiness - Cheers lads, it was a pleasure!!!

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Help for Heroes 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!