Planned Mileage: 62.97 miles
Actual Mileage: 79.86 miles
Temperature: 30C
Top Speed: 48mph
Start Time: 08:12am
End Time: 17:40pm
Total Saddle Time: 9hr 28mins
What an amazing day. That was without a doubt, one of the best rides the lads have ever experienced and probably one of the toughest. Relentless climbs, awesome downhill stretches and stunning views. This is what the team signed up for!
Those followers of Luke, will be pleased and probably surprised to hear that he had no mechanical difficulties today. In fact the day started with a comedy fall of Rik. He was too busy playing with his Garmin to notice a huge drain in front of him and managed to stick his wheel inside it and fall on his backside - this was about 200 yards into the journey! One replaced damaged wheel later, and the group were on there way.
A steady climb out of Berga saw Gavin leave the group for dust, hence why he is missing out of the photo below, which was taken at the top of the climb. The other side of the tunnel was the first of an excellent descent.
What became obvious on the descent, was that Paul & Spike are as slow down the hills as they are up them!! Once the descent was complete, the group then embarked on a killer of a climb, going up some 5000ft. Lunch was taken at the top of the hill, and the views were immense.
Gavin then proceeded to have an arguement with a car - the car won and he is now sporting a bloodied elbow! 45 miles in, the back marker - Dave - decided to find his own short cut only for the outrider to have to call the van to come and pick him up! The relentless climbs became too much for Luke and Simon - they sensibly took a seat in the van and had a breather for a few miles. 50 miles in and the hills claimed another victim in the shape of Russell. Moments later, Luke had to have another break - a combination of the heat, lack of shade and never-ending stretches of steep climbs was simply too much.
The climb, then gave way to a good stretch of descent. However, Luke was held 'prisoner' in the van and had to just watch his colleagues charge down some 3000ft - and witnessing Russell career into a ditch and nearly lose control at 40mph!
As we neared Andorra, we had out first puncture of the day - Spike being the unlucky rider. We then crossed the border, leaving Spain behind. For the last few miles, the team had a good peleton going and then tackled one final killer of a climb, finally reaching the comforts of the hotel. In total, we climbed over 11200ft today - a truly remarkable effort by all.
Quotes of the day:
"Easy, Epic" - Gavin Mooney
"Awesome" - Rik Hawke
"The scenery JUST made up for the pain" - Russell Brown
"Painful" - Mike Crook
More photos and video footage will be added later - unfortunately the WiFi connection is very slow in the hotel at the moment.
Planned Mileage: 64.47 miles
Actual Mileage: 81.45 miles
Temperature: 33C
Top Speed: 47mph
Start Time: 08:10am
End Time: 16:05pm
Total Saddle Time: 7hr 55mins
If anyone had any doubts about the difficulty of this challenge, then today would of answered it for everyone. In hindsight, maybe an easier starting day would of been better, however, the group have managed to complete Day 1 successfully (well most of the group anyway!)
We left the hotel in Barcelona at 8:10am and we were just 50 yards into the journey when we had to stop due to Luke having Garmin issues. We then worked our way through the city centre, which was hard going due to the millions of traffic lights which decided to turn red as we approached them. 11 miles into the journey, and we had our first puncture - Luke was the unfortunate rider on this occasion.
2 miles later, and guess what happens - yes, Luke had yet another puncture. Those who predicted that everyone would complete this challenge except Luke could be onto a winner!
6 miles later, and Luke causes the group to stop again! Not a puncture this time though - instead a spoke on his front wheel decides to pop out - so after a quick change of wheel, we are back on our way. The team then tackled some steep hills before stopping for a bacon roll, only minus the bread; seems like bread is very hard to find in Barcelona on a Saturday morning. Instead, the crew substituted bread with Welsh Cake instead.
We then set off for what was one of the best parts of the journey - downhill, which was a welcome relief after the hills experienced earlier.
The team then stopped for lunch, which was a very nice Leek & Potato soup with baguette - turns out the villages outside Barcelona can bake bread! After setting off from lunch, the team are brought to a quick halt again, as a chain came off one of the bikes - before you say it, this time it was not Luke but Paul Simmons instead.
We then proceeded to climb up even more hills - I think the team have completed about 7000ft of climbing today. Anyway, 68 miles into the ride, Luke suffers another puncture at the bottom of a hill. As the rest of the team were already far in the distance, Luke manages to thumb a lift on the van whilst his tyre gets replaced and is duly transported to meet the rest of the team. We think he needs to go out later tonight to make up the 2 miles he was sat in the van!
We finally arrive in Berga, just after 4pm and the team look well and truly shattered. They are now off for well deserved cold showers, before heading out for some food and beverage.
 |
| Before |
 |
| After |
Finally, this trip seems very real. We have arrived in Barcelona, after what was a very comfortable flight - the highlight of which was Simon getting chatted up by a 50+ year old woman, dressed in bright pink head to toe, falling head-over-heels in love with his toe hugging footwear!
The heat in Barcelona is in stark contrast to that of the UK, and some of us are already thinking we should be working out of the offices from here!
We arrive at the hotel before the bikes and luggage, even though they left on Wednesday, after checking in, and dropping off our hand luggage we decide to walk towards the Balmes office. En-route, we stop off at a local Taverna to sample the food.
We then head to the Computacenter office, for a quick photo opportunity. Unfortunately, due to the lack of bikes and clothing, we had to just improvise. Reema and Jessica rounded up some of the workforce who greeted us and wished us luck for the journey.
Reema then invited us to the local bar, where we sampled some of the local beverages which allowed the banter to flow! It is soon found out that within the group we have a tee-toal Northerner, a man who possibly requires a sports bra and two people whose actually ages are 13 years apart yet seem like only a year! All may be revealed later during this journey.
Finally, we get word that the bikes and luggage have arrived at the hotel, so we return and unload the equipment from from the van. Once I have retrieved my suitcase, I arrive back in my room, to find that the hotel staff have given me an exercise bike - I am not sure if someone from the group is having a joke or not, but I aim to find out!!
Early start tomorrow in order to build all the bikes and set off on our first leg to Berga.
The routes for the trip are as follows:
Day 1 (Saturday): Barcelona to Berga - 64.47 miles
Day 2 (Sunday): Berga to Andorra - 62.97 miles
Day 3 (Monday): Andorra to Toulouse Lavour - 111.63 miles
Day 4 (Tuesday): Toulose Lavour to Labastide-Murat - 76.53 miles
Day 5 (Wednesday): Rest Day
Day 6 (Thursday): Labastide-Murat to Limoges - 98.26 miles
Day 7 (Friday): Limoges to Chatereux - 72.30 miles
Day 8 (Saturday): Chatereux to La Chappelle - 83.75 miles
Day 9 (Sunday): La Chapelle Saint Mesmin to Paris - 77.12 miles
Day 10 (Monday): Rest Day
Day 11 (Tuesday): Paris to Saint Quentin - 85.44 miles
Day 12 (Wednesday): Saint Quentin to Brussells - 94.28 miles
Day 13 (Thursday): Brussells to Hook (ferry) - 86.94 miles
Day 14 (Friday): Harwich to Hatfield - 85.5miles
Driving From: Barcelona
Job: Senior Operations Manager
Site: Milton Keynes
Time at CC: 18 years & 5 months
Hobbies: Golf, Pool, Organising Stuff!
How long have you been driving: 23 years
Why are you taking part in this challenge: A few years ago, I completed the Great Wall of China charity challenge with CC, and had a fantastic time. I enjoy driving and thought this would be a good opportunity to support the team, take in the scenary and stock up on wine along the way
What are you most looking forward to: The views in the Pyrenees and lots of banter
What are you least looking forward to: Driving at an average speed of 16mph
Cycling From: Barcelona
Job: Project Manager
Site: Manchester
Time at CC: 18 months
Hobbies: Cycling, Walking & Camping
How long have you been cycling: All my life
Why are you taking part in this challenge: Previously I have raised money for charity by completing the 3 Peaks Challenge (Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike & Snowdon in 24 hours) as well as cycling from Coast to Coast (139 miles in 1 day) and also been to Africa to build houses
What are you most looking forward to: Finishing
What are you least looking forward to: The Pyrenees
Cycling From: Barcelona
Job: Senior Project Manager
Site: Edinburgh
Time at CC: 7 years
Hobbies: Cycling and not much else for the last 6 months
How long have you been cycling: Since I was a boy but I started taking it seriously about 25 years ago
Why are you taking part in this challenge: I love cycling and my father was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and successfully treated last year, so this challenge really resonated with me. I enjoy travelling and the opportunity to spend 2 weeks crossing Europe by bike is too good to resist. At the same time we are supporting 3 great charities and hopefully our efforts and the efforts of our colleagues in Computacenter will make a big difference to them
What are you most looking forward to: The mountains
What are you least looking forward to: The mountains - it is a love/hate thing! The sense of achievement from cycling every day for 2 weeks and covering 1200 miles will be amazing. Camaraderie and teamwork will also be a big part of this trip. Hopefully we will get a taste of some local cuisine on the way and seeing the countryside change before our eyes as we traverse the Pyrenees, France, Belgium, Holland and the south of England will be fantastic. This is a trip of a lifetime because without the support of Computacenter it would be very difficult to organise this kind of trip on our own
Cycling From: Barcelona
Job: IFS Commercial Manager
Site: Milton Keynes
Time at CC: 15 years & 2 months
Hobbies: Pianist (grade 5), Qualified Private Pilot, I chair the Bedford Orchestra & play the Cello
How long have you been cycling: I have only been cycling for about 3 years & 6 months and have really taken to it. It gets me out, keeps me fit and I have really found my calling. I have never been one to do something because it is good for me so, over the years gym membership have come and gone but now I do go to the gym (especially in winter). Earlier this year and as part of my training I spent some time in Mallorca and it was a great experience
Why are you taking part in this challenge: I guess when anyone is involved in a sport that they are truly passionate about and are given perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do something that really stretches you as well as supporting our key charities, one just cannot say no! It is highly unlikely that I would be able to do anything like this on my own and I jumped at the chance of taking part when it was first mentioned to me
What are you most looking forward to: Probably the teamwork involved. I have never taken part in team sports, and in fact, most of my career and achievements have been done from my own initiative and under my own steam. As we have got into the training and the group rides, I have come to realise how critically important it is to approach this challenge at a team level and the strong bonds that it builds between the team members. In cycling you have good days and bad days and on this trip, none of us know what will happen but we all know that we will have both good and bad. If we work as a team as we have, we will look after those who are having a bad day or simply need some time to recover and, having now done this in training I am looking forward to doing it for real
What are you least looking forward to: The possibility of awful weather and the unknown of the French winds. Wind is not the cyclists friend, in fact at 25mph 80% of cyclists effort is taken up pushing air out of the way, so if we find ourselves into headwinds for hours on end, that is going to be hard. Previously I would of said that I was apprehensive of the mountains but having spent time in Majorca over the summer, I am less fearful of them now though they are still to be respected and taken at ones' own pace in my view. I won't be the first to the top, but I will get there!
Cycling From: Paris
Job: CN North Commercial Manager
Site: Manchester
Time at CC: 11 years
Hobbies: Yoga and spending quality time with my family
How long have you been cycling: 3 years, but this is the first year on a road bike
Why are you taking part in this challenge: Each year I set myself a personal challenge, when this came up it was ideal
What are you most looking forward to: The sights and the sense of achievement
What are you least looking forward to: The hills!!
Cycling From: Barcelona
Job: Client Director
Site: Birmingham/Blackfriars
Time at CC: 10 years
Hobbies: I love sport, particularly Triathalon & Golf
How long have you been cycling: Started cycling about 3 years ago as a result of getting into Triathalon. In training for an Ironman last year I spent a lot of time on the bike, clocking up quite a few miles and I really got the bug for this discipline in particular
Why are you taking part in this challenge: I like to raise money for a good cause and challenge myself in the process (win/win). Have previously been on trips to South Africa & India with CC - and under my own steam - to raise money and physically make a difference (building schools & teaching). This trip is a little more self indulgent as I get to challenge myself with something I really enjoy whilst raising money for our 3 great causes
What are you most looking forward to: I am looking forward to 3 things specifically. Cycling over the Pyrenees, riding into Paris and riding with the CC team through some great countryside
What are you least looking forward to: I am struggling with a few niggles and not really in the condition I would like to be in. I have had a very lazy 12 months having pushed my body last year for the Ironman (and then subsequently getting my social life back), so my own personal expectations about how I perform (the internal dialogue/frustration) is something I am going to have to deal with
Cycling From: Barcelona
Job: GSD Team Leader
Site: Milton Keynes
Time at CC: 7 years
Hobbies: Cycling, Obstacle Racing, Running, Spotting yellow cars before Luke does so I can thump him!
How long have you been cycling: As soon as I could ride a bike I have never stopped - from about 5. I took part in a lot of BMX racing when I was younger and this transferred into Mountain Biking. I have always followed the Tour de France, and 5 years ago decided to give Road Cycling a go, and got the bug. I love the freedom that cycling gives and you get to see places that you would never usually - see from a different perspective
Why are you taking part in this challenge: I have always wanted to cycle across Europe, I love a challenge and have always tried to support charities in the challenges that I take on. I also wanted to build on the enthusiasm that is currently being generated by cycling across the UK due to the recent successes in the Tour de France and Olympics. So with this in mind, I thought a charity event like this would generate interest and raise money and awareness for our chosen charity partners.
What are you most looking forward to: The 2nd day - Sunday the 22nd September we leave a small town in Northern Spain called Berga, and head north towards the Pyrenees. I am looking forward to the views, the challenge and the feeling that I would of climbed one of the most iconic mountain ranges of cycling in the world
What are you least looking forward to: The 2nd day!!!! The reason the views are awesome is that you are looking out from approximately 4000ft - and getting up that is going to be hard
Cycling From: Barcelona
Job: TRG Service Manager
Site: Hatfield
Time at CC: 10 years
Hobbies: Running, Snowboarding, Golf, going to the gym, reading & training for a 1200 mile bike ride
How long have you been cycling: Well I learnt to ride a bike when I was about 5 years old, but only wore Lycra for the first time 3 years ago
Why are you taking part in this challenge: I like to challenge myself and attempt things that push my limits. The last challenge I did was to run a marathon, so the cycle challenge seemed like the next step. Aside from the personal challenge, the most important reason for doing this challenge is to raise money and awareness for the charities as they all make real difference to people's lives. I personally know people who have been affected by Prostate Cancer & Alzheimer's and I am sure that too many of the people reading this do as well
What are you most looking forward to: No one thing in particular, it is all about the overall experience and doing something memorable
What are you least looking forward to: Riding in the wind and rain as this is not enjoyable. I am a fair weather cyclist
Cycling From: Barcelona
Job: Project Co-ordinator
Site: Blackfriars
Time at CC: 7 years
Hobbies: Mainly cycling & bike stuff - it's a bit sad really!
How long have you been cycling: 5 years
Why are you taking part in this challenge: I have never cycled outside of the UK and want to see as much of Europe as possible. I had set myself a target of cycling in the Alps or the Pyrenees this year. When the opportunity came up to join this ride and make some money for our three charity partners, it seemed too good to miss out on.
What are you most looking forward to: Riding downhill from Andorra into Toulouse & riding into Paris
What are you least looking forward to: Climbing the Pyrenees into Andorra (I'm a bit heavy for climbing the high mountains)
