Actual Mileage: 88 miles
Temperature: 16.5C
Top Speed: TBC
Start Time: 07:36am
End Time: 15:00pm
Total Saddle Time: 7hr 24mins
The last day of Project Rider arrived, and the mood in the group was one of sadness at it coming to an end, but also excitement about seeing family and friends once again. The ferry docked at 4:30am, but we were not allowed to depart until 6:30am. After checking through customs, the team retrieved their bikes and did some final checks before setting off. Gavin had a puncture that needed repairing and then we were off.
Phil had planned the route on his Garmin and he led the way. 8.2 miles in and Spike suffered a puncture, a mile and a half later then Gavin had his 2nd puncture - maybe it was going to be one of those days. Due to not being able to have breakfast on the boat, some of the team were rather ratty and were insisting they had food. The only problem was, the support crew needed to purchase bread. In the meantime they had to settle for Mars bars, however Luke wanted to stop so he could eat it without falling off his bike!
Finally bread was purchased, and it was bacon & egg sandwiches all round. Once we got started again, the Garmin navigation devices wanted to send the team down roads that did not exist, so we reverted back to following myself, and Gavin had a puncture!
The team then arrived at Braintree - in order to save time and cut down the route a little, they rode through the town centre, only for Rik to get accosted by an elderly lady who stopped him, tried to push him off his bike and whacked him with her handbag!
We then had our first crash of the tour. As the team rode past a pub called Kicking Dicky, they slowed down - Dicky is the name of the Support Crew head honcho. As they did this, it caused Shelley to lose balance on her bike which then led to Spike running over her head and Luke riding over the top of her! However, Northerners are a hard breed, so she got up and rode on.
At the rendezvous point in Hatfield Heath, where we were joined by Paul Anderson and Dan Yates, who were going to ride with the team for the last 23 miles into Hatfield. This final strecth was a combination of hilly country roads and very busy dual carraigeways.
Approaching Hatfield, Dan Yates fell off his bike outside Tesco's! The team then reached the Head Office, and the reception was superb. The amount of noise was tremendous as the team crossed the finish line, to be greeted by work colleagues, family & friends. For some, this was quite an emotional moment and one I am sure we will never forget, even if at that moment in time it all seemed quite a blur.
After a few photos, glasses of champagne, the team were presented medals, by Mike Norris, as a momento of their trip. For the next hour, the team were busy talking to people about the trip and also taking advantage of some well earned massages which were kindly laid on for them.
Finally, the team freshened up and met back up at China East for a slap-up meal and a few well earned beers before we all went our own ways.
Over the next week, this blog will be updated with more pictures, video, and thoughts from each of the riders on their journey so please keep visiting.
Thankyou to everyone who has supported the team over the past few months, and all the comments which have been posted have been really appreciated by us all.
Personally, I want to congratulate every single rider on what they have achieved. You all have my upmost respect - some of the terrain was very challenging but the way you all stuck together as a one unit was very impressive and you all showed what can be achieved when you work as a team. Thanks also to the support crew - Dicky, Geth & Dan - without you this would of been a hell of a lot more difficult.
Phil had planned the route on his Garmin and he led the way. 8.2 miles in and Spike suffered a puncture, a mile and a half later then Gavin had his 2nd puncture - maybe it was going to be one of those days. Due to not being able to have breakfast on the boat, some of the team were rather ratty and were insisting they had food. The only problem was, the support crew needed to purchase bread. In the meantime they had to settle for Mars bars, however Luke wanted to stop so he could eat it without falling off his bike!
Finally bread was purchased, and it was bacon & egg sandwiches all round. Once we got started again, the Garmin navigation devices wanted to send the team down roads that did not exist, so we reverted back to following myself, and Gavin had a puncture!
The team then arrived at Braintree - in order to save time and cut down the route a little, they rode through the town centre, only for Rik to get accosted by an elderly lady who stopped him, tried to push him off his bike and whacked him with her handbag!
We then had our first crash of the tour. As the team rode past a pub called Kicking Dicky, they slowed down - Dicky is the name of the Support Crew head honcho. As they did this, it caused Shelley to lose balance on her bike which then led to Spike running over her head and Luke riding over the top of her! However, Northerners are a hard breed, so she got up and rode on.
At the rendezvous point in Hatfield Heath, where we were joined by Paul Anderson and Dan Yates, who were going to ride with the team for the last 23 miles into Hatfield. This final strecth was a combination of hilly country roads and very busy dual carraigeways.
Approaching Hatfield, Dan Yates fell off his bike outside Tesco's! The team then reached the Head Office, and the reception was superb. The amount of noise was tremendous as the team crossed the finish line, to be greeted by work colleagues, family & friends. For some, this was quite an emotional moment and one I am sure we will never forget, even if at that moment in time it all seemed quite a blur.
After a few photos, glasses of champagne, the team were presented medals, by Mike Norris, as a momento of their trip. For the next hour, the team were busy talking to people about the trip and also taking advantage of some well earned massages which were kindly laid on for them.
Finally, the team freshened up and met back up at China East for a slap-up meal and a few well earned beers before we all went our own ways.
Over the next week, this blog will be updated with more pictures, video, and thoughts from each of the riders on their journey so please keep visiting.
Thankyou to everyone who has supported the team over the past few months, and all the comments which have been posted have been really appreciated by us all.
Personally, I want to congratulate every single rider on what they have achieved. You all have my upmost respect - some of the terrain was very challenging but the way you all stuck together as a one unit was very impressive and you all showed what can be achieved when you work as a team. Thanks also to the support crew - Dicky, Geth & Dan - without you this would of been a hell of a lot more difficult.
This has been such a good blog and really enjoyable to read. The team are a real inspiration! Well done to everyone!!! Teresa Bezeck
ReplyDeleteWell done to everyone, really enjoyed reading the daily blog... Very funny and informative. Carol Crompton.
ReplyDeletethese blogs have been brilliant i have loved reading them, well done to you all for raising such a fantastic amount for charity and giving this your all.
ReplyDeleteSamantha Barratt