Cycling Schedule - 28th Sept to 5th Oct
Paris to Barcelona - 700 miles / 1126Km

THIS EVENT WAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED BY ALL TEAM MEMBERS.

Day 0, Thur, 27th Sept - Swansea to Paris (Support Vehicles depart)

Support vehicles are travelling to Paris with the bikes and spare parts a day early so that there will be no hold ups for the riders. They were due to leave at 9am, however the van wouldn't start, panic nearly set in, but the RAC came to the rescue just in time and towed the van to the garage to have a new alternator fitted. With a tail wind, the should get to dover just in time!

All the riders are flying from Bristol at 07:40 with Easyjet, landing in Paris at 10am and planning to meet the support vehicles at the Trocadero, take a few snaps in front of the Eiffel Tower and then we'll be on our way south to Barcelona.

Day 1, Fri 28th Sept - Paris to Orleans - 83 miles / 133Km

Todays photos can be viewed @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/10305922@N03/collections/72157602196598761/

Firstly everyone completed the whole ride (despite a few incidents, blood has been drawn already).

The day started at 4am for most of us, with a car journey to Bristol Airport. Everyone  boarded the plane on time, but it was delayed for 40 mins. On arrival in Paris CDG at 10:35, we headed for the RER B train line, which felt like we should have done a sponsored walk instead....sorry going to the bar now to watch England v Tonga.......looks like England did it! ....train terminated unexpectedly at Gare du Nord, which meant that we arrived at the Trocadero a little later than expected. The weather in Paris was quite miserable, and we were all wet within 10 mins of starting the ride.

We had 3 fallers today,  Justin was the first, who  made an amateur mistake, while ogling the local scenery! Second was Jamie, who apparently slipped on an oil slip. Third, Alan thought he was on a BMX and tried to mount the pavement but ended up on it after a really heavy fall.

Finally we arrived at Orleans on time with only 15mins of daylight left. All the boys went for a few drinks and a meal at the bar next door to our hotel. We plan to start riding at 07:30 in the morning.     

 
Day 2, Sat 29th Sept - Orleans to Chateauroux - 86 miles / 138Km

Day 2 photos can be viewed @  http://www.flickr.com/photos/10305922@N03/sets/72157602212389427/detail/

The morning started with breakfast at  07:00 with a 07:30 meeting time arranged at the van. No time to finish updating...got to go cycling!!!!

Day 3, Sun 30th Sept - Chateauroux to Treignac - 105 miles / 169Km

Day 3 photos can be viewed @
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10305922@N03/sets/72157602218539425/detail/
Bike and kit preparations started at 07:30, followed by breakfast at  08:00, departed from the hotel at 08:40.

Incidents:
Falls =1, Punctures =5, Gear Box =1, Chain Brakes =2, Tyre Blow Ups=1, Wheel Changes=1, Spokes=3, Knee Injuries=1, Car Accidents=1

Despite all of the above, everyone  got  to the destination safe and sound.

Day 4, Mon 1st Oct - Treignac to Figeac - 87 miles / 140km

Today's photos can be viewed @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/10305922@N03/sets/72157602225421886/detail/

Today's schedule 06:30 shower, shave etc 07:00 breakfast, 07:30 at the van, 07:55 warm up, 08:00 start cycling.                                                              Ride Stats:                                                                                                                                     Meters climbed = 1420M, Duration = 6hrs 4mins                                                       Incidents:
Falls =0, Punctures =3, Gear Box =0, Chain Brakes =0, Tyre Blow Ups=0, Wheel Changes=2, Spokes=0, Knee Injuries=0, Car Accidents=0
                                                                                                                                                One major incident happened when Richard P was near the top of the last very steep climb of the day, up a very narrow mountain road. A French cyclist who was descending at 30mph+ almost collided with him head on, while Rich was climb at 8mph. Fortunately the Frenchman hit the brakes and narrowly missed Rich, skidding into a ditch where he landed upside down. Fortunately, his only injuries were to his ego.

We are now over halfway and have travelled 361 miles so far. Everyone now has to dig deep into their physical and mental reserves, with tomorrow's ride probably going to be the toughest one.

Swansea Bay Radio - 102.1FM are featuring us every morning on their breakfast show and all the guys are lifted by the text messages that we are receiving in support, along with the people who are donating and commenting on this page. So please do keep giving back home, we really do appreciate it. Its what is keeping us going.

(Hi to my kids Melissa and James).

Day 5, Tue 2nd Oct - Figeac to Toulouse - 102 miles / 164Km

Today's photos can be viewed @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/10305922@N03/sets/72157602267087850/detail/

Today's planned schedule 06:30 shower, shave etc 07:00 breakfast, 07:30 at the van, 07:55 warm up, 08:00 start cycling.

Report at 07:00 - on schedule, but everything is aching now, especially the thighs, Alan just asked me how are we going to get out of figeac, because mountains 2000ft high surround it! I suppose we're about to find out, see you later. RP 

Day 6, Wed 3rd Oct - Toulouse to Riversaltes - 99 miles / 160Km

Day 6 photos can be viewed @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/10305922@N03/sets/72157602254000521/detail/

The weather was awfull today, we had to cycle along straight featureless main roads into a 30mph head wind. The whole team worked together to get through it by alternating the front rider every  60 secs. We arrived at our hotel in Riversaltes at 20:30 tired and hungry, only to find out that the restaurant was closed and the nearest place to eat was a McDonalds 5 miles away. After a lot of persausion the chef agreed to stay and make us spagetti bolagnaise - which was the perfect finish to a long day.

We are now in the foothills of the Pyreenees mountains and we will be cycling over them tomorrow to get to Girona. 

Day 7, Thur 4th Oct - Riversaltes to Girona - 68 miles / 110Km

Today's photos can be viwed @ http://flickr.com/photos/10305922@N03/sets/72157602287441757/detail/

Day 8, Fri 5th Oct - Girona to Barcelona - 65 miles / 105Km

Today's photos can be viwed @ http://flickr.com/photos/10305922@N03/sets/72157602287642959/detail/

We all made it to the finishing line tired and weary, but in one piece. Some of the wives, partners and relatives were there to meet us and cheer us over the finishing line. 

Click on this link to see all of our Photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10305922@N03/

Fundraising Events

1. 20th OCT 2007 - CHAMPAGNE  RECEPTION AT THE LORD MAYORS MANSION HOUSE IN SWANSEA 

Click on the following link to view the photos taken at the Lord Mayor's mansion house http://www.flickr.com/photos/10305922@N03/sets/72157602820844490/detail/

The team, friends and family attended this welcome home and initial cheque handing over ceremony, which was held at the Lord Mayors Mansion House in Swansea.

The Lord Mayor of Swansea, Susan Waller attended the reception to welcome the cycle team home and thank them and everyone else involved for the tremendous amount of money that has been raised for the Maggies Cancer Caring Centres. 

A cheque for £40,000 was presented to the local representatives from Maggies.

Many thanks to everyone at the Swansea Building Society that have looked after the "Miles for Marilyn" account.

2. FRIDAY, 14th SEPT 2007 - GALA DINNER @ THE GLAMORGAN ARMS
£10,000 raised on the evening - THANK YOU TO EVERYONE 
200+ Gala Photos (most of them of Richard P) can be viewed at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10305922@N03/collections/72157601826906869/

The evening was a fantastic success and we'd like to say a big thank you to all of the 310 people who attended.
Special thanks should go to the celebrities who attended - Swansea's own WBO cruiserweight king Enzo Maccarinelli and former Welsh rugby international Alan Martin, our own Jack Nicholson and to compere Paul Fielding who held the whole evening together. Also to the DJ and the fantastic band Gareth,Taff & Martin from the group Like a Lion for getting the dance floor and stage packed all night long.
Also we would like to thank all the volunteers who prepared the marquee during the daytime and the management & staff at the Glamorgan Arms for making the whole evening a fantastic success.
Thanks also to everyone who donated items for the auction, which raised £5,450 on the night and a big thank you to Hefin Jones the Auctioneer who made sure that we got maximum value for the items.
Also Mike Evans should be congratulated for having the courage and conviction to make it all happen - Well done Mike, we never doubted you could do it!
Auction items:-
LOT No. Description Price
  
1 Boxing Gloves - Signed  £ 400.00
2 Boxing Shorts - donated Enzo Macarinelli £ 100.00
3 Training Vest - donated by Calzhage Camp £ 200.00
4 Framed Welsh Scrum Half Jersey -Rob Howley £ 450.00
5 Framed Welsh Squad Tracksuit - Rob Howley £ 200.00
6 Trip to Roda Golf Resort Spain £ 950.00
7 Accomodation - Tower Hotel £ 350.00
8 Clay Pigeon Shooting £ 650.00
9 Rangemaster Cooking Range £ 800.00
10 Boots - signed Carl Fogarty £ 600.00
11 Silver Football donated by Leeds United FC £ 200.00
12 Framed Print - Ryan Giggs £ 200.00
13 Framed Print - Ruud Van Nistelroy £ 100.00
15 Framed Photo - Il Divo £ 250.00
  
 TOTAL £ 5,450.00

Also there were a number of items not auctioned on the night (due to time constraints) so we will sell them on eBay and publish the details later.

3. SUNDAY 9th SEPT, 5km WALK FROM VERDI'S, MUMBLES
Photos of the 5km walk: http://www.flickr.com/photos/10305922@N03/sets/72157601946530919/

Jan's 5km, ladies sponsored walk in support of the Miles for Marilyn cycle team and in aid of Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres, was held today with 20 volunteers turning up to walk along the Mumbles promenade and promote and raise money for Maggie's. The event was a resounding success with over £300 collected on the walk and several hundred pledged on sponsor forms. The final amount raised from this walk will be known by Friday 14th.
Contact Jan at eMail: jan.p.rees@btinternet.com (Ps. If you make a donation through this page in support of Jan then please mention it in your comments)

Media Coverage

The Wave - 96.4 FM
Badger and Emma featured us the day before and will cover us at various stages en-route, so please listen in to find out if there is any drama!

South Wales Evening Post
Thursday 2nd Aug - headline 'Cyclists' support from Lance'
Friday 6th July - headline 'Cyclist Gear Up for Cycle Challenge'
see weblink attached http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk and search for the headlines mentioned. 

Swansea Life - August 2007, page 32
Community Times Mumbles - August 2007, page 45

Training Diary:6,564miles/10,564km,since June
23/09/07 - 47 miles - Mkie, Chris & Rich P - Rhos, via Cimla, Abergwynfi, 2000 ft, 2.5 mile ascent up the Bwlch Mountain, Treorchy, 2200ft ascent up the Rhigos mountain, Hirwaun, Glyneath, Aberdulais, and then picked up at Resolven by Jonathon as Chris had kicked his bike wheel and broke a spoke which buckled the wheel (he didn't kick it on purpose though although he might do next week)!
23/09/07 - 30 miles Jamie & Justin
w/c 17th Sept - 70 miles - Gareth & Paul, they have been doing spinning classes at the gym all week. I think its got something to do with the blond instructer60
16/09/07 - 25 miles - Mike & JQ - I received an email from Jon telling me all about the ride, so rather than me write something 2nd hand, here is his own account of the ride:-
Hi Rich,
Sorry, not able to call you until later. Yesterdays ride started off OK and then turned into a nightmare. We rode through Tonna, up over Cimla and planned to get to the top pf the Bwlch and decide whether or not to continue into Treochory or come back the way we went. It rained twice on the way to the top, but no major problems at all. At the top we decided to go for it, and then all hell broke lose. In a matter of minutes the weather changed, the rain started hammering down, the wind started gusting and the temperature dropped. By now we were over the top and down by the Ice-cream van. We could not see the town below us and the cloud was closing in, safety was starting to become a pretty major concern. We took the decision to call Sian and have here pick us up somewhere in Treochory. The trip down the mountain was hard work, my breaks were bloody hopeless and Mike was shivering like hell. By the time Sian got to us we were completely soaked to the skin and glad to be in the truck.
We did however learn a few things;
1. The waterproof jackets are not waterproof at all.
2. The waterproof socks are only waterproof from the inside out, making you feel like you had you feet in some icy cold swimming pool.
3. Chip shops don't open in Treochory on a Sunday.
What started out as a nice pleasant ride, turned into a bloody SAS survival weekend. I hope we don't encounter the same conditions in France.
Speak to you later
JQ
15/09/07 - 25 miles - Mike, Chris, Gerome, (Alan, Rich P, JQ - 15 miles), The day after the big Gala Evening. Considering some of us (Rich, Mike & Gerome) didn't stop drinking Gin & Vodka at the after event party until 5am, it was a remarkable feat just to turn up at Alan's house by midday. JQ had been waiting there for 90mins by the time everyone else got there, so we should have known that this ride was doomed from the start. After 3.5 miles, during the steep ascent to Cwmgors, Mike's bike fell apart and although he still had the pedals attached to his feet; they weren't attached to the bike! No tools between us to fix it, fortunately the lady in the house nearby came to the rescue. At the 7-mile mark, which had taken us 4 hours since some of us left home, Alan, Rich & JQ turned around to go sailing instead.
12,09/07 - 34 miles - Paul - Penllergaer, Killay, Welshmoor, Cefn Bryn,
Burry Green, Llanrhidian.
10/09/07 - 15 miles - Jamie. 20 miles - Jonathon & Roger. 10 miles - Alan.
09/09/07 - 94 miles (151km) - Alan, Jamie, Justin (1 of our support drivers) & Mike, same journey as the boys did the previous Sunday, but with a major incident due to Jamie's chain breaking! Fortunately the guys were within a mile of the mountain bike centre in Glyncorrwg or it would have resulted in a call for back up. Other than a few saddle pains in the a***, the whole group finished strongly in approx 6hrs 20mins cycling time.
09/09/07 - 49 miles (79km) - Jonathon, (with the other boys to the top of the Bwlch) fom Cilfrew, via Cimla, Abergwynfi, 2000 ft, 2.5 mile ascent up the Bwlch Mountain, Treorchy, 2200ft ascent up the Rhigos mountain, Hirwaun, Glyneath, Aberdulais and back home to Cilfrew.
09/09/07 - 10 miles (16km) - Rich P (with kids in toe - James Payne & Harry Parish), along the Swansea sea front and up the Clyne Valley cycle path and back. small accident when rich's left cleate stayed in and he fell onto his previous wound and cut it open again. Why is it everything happens to Rich?
08/09/07 - 48 miles (77Km) - Mike, Chris & Roger, start at Llangyfelach, Clydach, Pontardawe, Cwmllynfell, Brynamman, Black Mountain, Capel Gwynfe, Glanamman, Ammanford, Llanedi, Pomtardulais, Pontlliw and back to Llangyfelach. First time for Roger to do the big mountain. How does it feel Rog?
08/09/07 - 52 miles (84Km) - Alan, Rich P & Paul, met at Alan's at 06:30am (very sad I know), set off on our journey from Rhos, via Cimla, Abergwynfi, 2000 ft, 2.5 mile ascent up the Bwlch Mountain, Treorchy, 2200ft ascent up the Rhigos mountain, Hirwaun, Glyneath, Aberdulais, Bryncoch and back to Rhos in 4hrs 3mins cycle time. The two big climbs in quick succesion hurt and Rich hit the pain barrier from Resolven home, Alan hit the energy wall with a mile to go. We learnt that we probably did it to fast and should have stopped for longer breaks. Plus I felt tired after getting up at 05:30 and only having 5 hours sleep, RP.
06/09/07 - 35 miles - Paul & Rich B, Penllgear, Cefn Bryn, Penrice.
04/09/07 - 35 miles (56 Km) - Mike, Llangyfelach to Pontyates (via Pontardulais, Llannon, Pontyberem) and back to Llangyfelach (via Llanelli, Lougher, Penllergaer).
04/09/07 - 32 miles - Paul & Gareth, Penllgear, Welshmoor, Killay
03/09/07 - 15 miles (24 Km) - Rich P, at 8am the morning after the big one. I just needed to get on the bike early, to teach my heart, lungs and legs what it is going to feel like everyday in France for 7 continuous days. Fortunately my brain has confused all of this as dedication and not madness.
02/09/07 - 92 miles (148 Km) - DONE IT! - Rich P, Rich B, JQ & Paul. 6hrs 38mins cycle time, 8hrs 38mins total time, 14mph average speed. From Cilfrew to Cardiff and back (via Cimla, Abergwynfi, Bwlch Mountain, Ogmore Vale, Brackla, Cowbridge, Culverhouse Cross, Barry, Cardiff Airport, Llantwit Major, Bridgend, Pyle, Margam, Port Talbot, Neath). I'm too tired to write anything else. RP http://www.flickr.com/photos/10305922@N03/sets/72157601821122932/
01/09/07 - 32 miles - JQ, Rich P, CK - From Fairwood to Rhossilli and back through the Fairy Hill lanes. 30 miles - Jamie & Rich B
30/08/07 - 32 miles - Mike, Gareth, Jon, Rich B & Rich P - South Gower again (seems that the Gower's natural beauty is ideal cycling territory). Mike had a bee in his bonnet, when one of the flying insects decided to fly inside his cycle helmet. JQ took a tumble in front of us all at the top of Penrice hill, when he forgot about unclipping his shoes.
29/08/07 - 23 miles - Rich P & Jon, hills around south Gower, Cefn Bryn, Oxwich etc
27/08/07 - 25 miles - Gareth & Rich P, around south Gower, Cefn Bryn, Oxwich etc
27/08/07 - 16 miles - Paul - Llanedi loop.
25/08/07 - 30 miles - Mike, Chris & JQ, Llangyfelach over the Black Mountain to Llandovery and back to Penygroes. 15 miles - Rich P (Rich & Mike, suffering from a mega hangovers).
24/08/07 - 15 miles - Gerome, moutain biking
23/08/07 - 32 miles - Rich P, Rich S, Mike, Gareth & Paul, from Ynysforgan to the top of the Black Mountain and back in 1hr 57mins. (Mike, Gareth & Paul did a bit extra by cycling from home and back to Ynysforgan giving them an extra 3.5 miles on the counter).
22/08/07 - 30 miles - Alan & Mike, from Rhos to the other side of the Black Mountain and then back again. Two big climbs in 2hrs 30mins. (So Alan who is not taking this seriously is now officially King of the Black Mountain).
21/08/07 - 30 miles - Alan, from Rhos to the other side of the Black Mountain and then back again. Two big climbs in 2hrs 30mins.
20/08/07 - 51 miles - Paul & Gareth, out past Kidwelly to Uplands Arms and
back - wind in our face on the way out - turning around after a 12% hill -
wind assisted ride back to make it in 3hrs 6mins. 40 miles - Gerome, moutain biking.                                                                                                                                            19/08/07 - 48 miles - Paul, Gower ride as Thursday except back across
Welshmoor and a quick stop at friends caravan in Horton for a cuppa &
bickie ! 2hrs 55mins riding not incl. bickie stop.
19/08/07 - 26 miles - Alan & Rich P, 2200ft ascent from Pontardawe to the top of the Black Mountain and back down in 2hrs 8mins.
18/08/07 - 40 miles - Gerome, moutain biking
17/08/07 - 30 miles - Gerome, moutain biking
16/08/07 - A) 20 miles - Alan from Pontardawe. B) 32 miles - The 3 Richards, Mike, Gareth, Paul, Jamie, South Gower hill sets, Kittle, Penmean, Oxwich, Horton, Reynoldston, Cefn Bryn and finished with a pint at the woodman in Blackpill.
15/08/07 - 25 miles - Rich P & Gareth, short sharp shock hill treatment around Caswell, Langland, Newton etc.
14/08/07 - 10 miles - Gerome, moutain biking.
13/08/07 - 15 miles - Gerome, moutain biking.
12/08/07 - 41 miles - Gareth, Paul & Jamie - around Carmarthen/ Llyndysul with some big long hill climbs. 10 miles - Rich P, hills around Bishopston, Caswell, Mumbles.
11/08/07 - 63 miles, 4hrs 12mins - Alan, RP, JQ, Mike - from Tregoyd nr Hay on Wye to Llandovery then the 2200ft ascent over the Black Mountains to Brynamman and finishing in Rhos. All the guys managed to cycle all the way to the summit - Well done guys, good training for the Pyrenees! 30 miles - Gerome, moutain biking.
09/08/07 - 30 miles - Rich P, Alan, Rich S, JQ, CK, Gareth, Jamie, Paul - From Swansea to Highest point on the Gower at Cefn Bryn, around Fairwood to Killay and then home. Top speed of 47.5mph was reached by RS, with everyone else 1 or 2 mph slower. You wouldn't want to fall off at this speed!
08/08/07 - 22 miles - Alan, Pontardawe to Mumbles lighthouse. 22 miles - Gerome, 2400ft ascent up the Alps. Cycling around Mumbles doesn't quite have the same ring to it now! 25 miles - Gerome in the moutains (3000 feet ascent)
07/08/07 - 15 miles - Gerome 1200ft up around the lakes in the Alps. 13 miles - Rich P Caswell/Mayals hills, 18 miles - Gareth hill sets.
06/08/07 - 35 miles - Gerome (+ a friend) In the Italian Alps, training with a friend, 35 miles of uphill, 6000 feet ascent, going through a 5900 feet peak, and then going downhill like crazy :). Top that one guys?
06/08/07 - 13 miles - Rich P hill sets from S'gate to Blackpill, through Mumbles and up Newton, Caswell and Kittle hills. 54 mins, avg 14.1 mph, top 39.7 mph.
05/08/07 - 50 miles - Paul, to Carmarthen and back to Penllegear.
05/08/07 - 20 miles - Gareth, hill sets.
04/08/07 - 63 miles - Alan & Rich P, from Tregoyd nr Hay on Wye to the Gower. 4hrs 25mins, avg speed 14.3, top speed 35mph. The climb over the Brecon Beacons to Cray reservoir was not as bad as we thought it would be. At Cray, a spoke broke on alan's rear wheel and it buckled, however he continued on riding against the force for another 30 miles. Well done Alan!
02/08/07 - 40 miles - Nearly the whole team (10 out of 12, well done guys). Action Bikes to end of Llanelli Coastal Path. On the sprint back along the coastal path, there was lots of jostling for positions with Paynie making the first breakaway attempt, only to be quickly caught by Gareth, Rich asks for co-operation only to be told where to get off! A mile later, during the second breakaway rush led by Paynie again, Paul runs Alan off the path and nearly wipes him out at 30mph. Paul & Gareth quickly catch the breakaway rider and they all sprint for home. It was a great effort from the whole team tonight as no one suffered from fatigue etc.
31/07/07 - 24 miles - Paul & Gareth, Llanedi loop x 2
29/07/07 - 50 Miles - Gareth & Paul, out to Kidwelly and back, 2hrs 20mins, averaging 22 mph. Well done guys!
28/07/07 - 40 Miles - Mike, Chris, Roger & Rich B - Same route as 26th.
26/07/07 - 40 Miles - Rich P, Mike, Alan, Rich S, Rich B, Paul & JQ. Ride stats:- Start at Action Bikes, Swansea Centre, Blackpill, Clyne Valley, Gowerton, Llanelli Coastal Path. 2hrs 30mins cycle time, 15mph avg speed, Paul hit a top speed of 35mph on the coastal path. JQ had a hunger attack on the way back and bought all the Mars bars that they had in the Texco garage (see pics).
22/07/07 - 11 miles - Jamie & Richard B. This was their first training session, (after receiving their bikes yesterday) around the block in Newcastle Emlyn.
21/07/07 - 45 Miles - Rich P, Mike, Chris, Roger & Gareth. We upped the miles again today in the wind and rain. Ride stats:- Start at Action Bikes, Swansea Centre, Blackpill, Clyne Valley, Gowerton, Llanelli Coastal Road to Pembrey and back. 3hrs 20mins cycle time, 14mph avg speed, 30.6 mph max speed (down hill past the Airport). This ride is about half of what we are planning to do each day, aren't we glad that it looks all down hill from Paris to Barcelona!
19/07/07 - 38 miles - Gareth & Paul (+ special guest "Ironman" Kevin) -
Penllergaer to Southgate (Rich wasn't in...) back to Kittle to knock on
Kevin's door. More than happy to join us as he's off to do an Ironman
triathon in Canada in 4 weeks - caused a domestic and set off to Three
Crosses and across Welshmoor - great views. Weather took a turn for
the worse and Paul's decision to bother to carry a waterproof proved
inspired as we churned it back past the Airport on North Gower road. Arrived
home wet and cold - but it's good for the soul !                                                                   14/07/07 - 40 Miles - Mike, Rich S & Chris. Longest ride so far.
12/07/07 - 20 Miles - Rich S & Alan. First time for Alan to try the cleated cycling shoes and peddles and just like everyone else on their first attempt with the cleates, he fell and did some minor damage to his knee.
12/07/07 - 23 miles - Gareth & Paul - Penllergaer, Fforest, Llanedi,
Pont Abraham (Fforest, Llanedi loop twice) - some good hills...
10/07/07 - 25 miles - Gareth & Paul - Penllergaer to The Geyhound,
Llanrhidian and back. Bit blustery along the estuary - good workout.
08/07/07 - 36 miles - Mike, Paul & Chris K - weather is half decent ! -
out along Fabian Way - through some glass, first tube change - glad Mike
packed the extra one. Not quite F1 but away in 5mins up through Jersey Marine, Skewen, back along the canal and down to Mumbles. Stop off at Verdi's for a Cappuccino and allow Chris to strut his stuff in lycra.
05/07/07 - 30 miles - Gareth & Alan
02/07/07 - 30 miles - Paul & Gareth. Gareth trained on two consecutive days, just to see what it felt like. Apparently it hurts!
01/07/07- 20 miles - Alan, Jonathon, Gareth, Mike, Rich P. The wind and rain again that forced the Gower bike ride to be cancelled didn't deter our team and we set off for our scheduled training session. We learnt some valuable lessons today as our in-experience and enthusiasm nearly got the better of us. Richard had a nasty fall at the side of a fast road. Fortunately a kind hearted sole, saw the accident and offered to take him to the hospital. Doc Katherine at Morriston A&E stitched his knee up and he limped off to ride again.(http://www.flickr.com/photos/10305922@N03/866550372/in/set-72157600933121142/)
28/06/07 - 20 miles - Rich P, Alan, Gareth, Mike & Paul. Wind & rain all the way to Mumbles then around Langland/Mumbles twice, finished with the descent down to Caswell Bay and then the steep climb up the other side. Everyone made it without stopping to get off and push. Not bad for a bunch of old guys! Only problem was that a couple of car drivers hurld abuse at us to get off the road, especially the guy in the black BMW. If that was you then maybe you should make a donation into our swear box (next time we'll publish your number plate)!
24/06/07 - 16 miles - Paul & Gareth, Llanedi loop
24/06/07 - 35 miles, 4 riders. 21/06/07 - 35 miles,6 riders. 14/06/07 - 35 miles, 6 riders. 10/06/07 - 35 miles, 4 riders.