Day 5 - Trentham to Blackpool

Well yesterday afternoon all three teams rolled into Blackpool after a cracking few days.

The day had started off quite dull but brightened up as the day went on. As we headed towards UU for lunch the boys stopped for a comfort break and were suddenly joined by a load of cows - we think Mike had made their acquaintance before by the noises the made when he left.

We had a great reception at UU and met up with Brainwave and Donna's dream House for photos before heading inside for lunch.

After lunch the teams set off for Blackpool with Team Simpson taking their customary position of last to leave and we our final team banter on the road before all the teams met up a few miles from the tower to ride to the end in convoy.

The end was really different from LEJOG last year as there was a welcoming party for the riders of family and friends and Len from Donna's Dream House. After the obligatory back slapping and photo calls (and noticing that the Start and Finish banner had Start on both sides) the riders headed towards the hotel for a celebration meal and few drinks.

The big question of who was the Puncture Queen was not resolved as we had a puncture free day so Rick, Jon and Tom all get to share the imaginary prize.

I'd like to thank Jon, Mike, Pete, Tony, Tom, Rick and the two Marks for a great 5 days of laughter, tears, punctures and crashes - driving without 8 lycra clad arses in front of you just isn't the same.

Finally a big thanks to Simon who spent 1000 miles, nearly seven days and six nights in my company without complaint about my farting, snoring, gutter humour and bike geekness -it's been emotional my friend.    

Everyone made it

Everyone made it to Blackpool. I'll do a proper write up when my brain function returns.

Day 4 - Oxford to Trentham

Another late start today for Team Simpson, which was great as I was feeling a bit rough today.

Right from the start it was obvious that there were some tired legs even though the pace was good. After a couple of hours we had the first break of the day before cracking on.

Tom had the only puncture of the day so tomorrow we'll find out who is the puncture queen as Jon, Rick and Tom have had two each.

Lunch was taken in the form of a roast and a pint and the riders continued on their way. Everyone seemed quieter today - it was even quieter in the van and no Primal Scream today.

An hour or so later as the riders slowed down for a set of traffic lights Mike suddenly went over the bars and didn't seem to move straight away. Jumping out of the van we soon realised his front wheel was jammed solid in a grid. Mike was okay if a little battered and bruised but his front wheel was buckled beyond repair so Mike and Tony have now killed a wheel.

After a long grind the riders finally reached Trentham after completing their longest day.

Stats.

Punctures: 1
Crashes: 1
Roast Dinners: 1

One day and two beds to go.

Lunch Time

Team Simpson aren't letting riding getting in the way of a Sunday Roast.
Stopped at the Hutton Arms for one.

Day 3 - Newhaven to Oxford

Night 3 (for the drivers) provided the accommodation and sleep on the trip so far made even better by Team Simpson's decision not to leave until 9am. After filling the van up with fuel (fuel gauge now working again) it was a quick clean of all the bikes, fitting new pads on Toms bike, truing a wheel on Tony's bike and adjusting Mark 'Daffy' Leyland's front mech.

The team set off at 0910 about an hour behind the first team off and we screwed up the navigation straight away (sorry guys). After a few early hills to test the legs it became obvious from the live tracking we were watching that the guys were making great progress then Rick had another puncture (Ricks Dad - he needs that puncture kit). A decision was made to have the morning break there and then and Ricks tube was changed.

The lads continued to crack on and reached Guilford for lunch which we took at the station and included a quick tweaking session on Ricks bike. Not far out of town the team passed the other two teams in quick succession and put the hammer down all the way to the end taking another 40 minutes out of them.

We had another puncture with Tom in the centre of Woking and a swift bit of teamwork resulted in the team being watered and the wheel changed in under 2 minutes.

To be fair to the guys they did try to be humble but it didn't last long.

The victorious team.

Stats for the day.

Punctures: 2

Crashes: 0

Day 2 - L'Isle Adam to Dieppe

Today was the only day on the event that had a time limit as we had to be at Dieppe for the ferry to Newhaven for 4pm.

Waking up after spending a night in our 'prison cell' Etape Hotel room the signs weren't good as we were woken up by torrential rain bouncing of the porch roof. After a very brief breakfast we were ready to go at 0730.

About a mile into the ride Tom declared that he hadn't put his bag in the van but had left it outside the hotel so a quick call to Team Cavendish got his back picked up.

The riders were soon in the groove but got a bit spooked by a dual carriage way so asked us to re-route them around it. Rick then had the first puncture of the day and a quick wheel change and we were off again only for another puncture a few minutes later when Jon had a front flat.

Eventually we were back on route and soon passed another team and the guys were making really good progress then Jon had puncture number three. In one town we came round the corner to see Tony dusting himself down after failing to bunny hop a curb - no injuries happily.

After a lunch stop for the finest egg and ham salad butty France had to offer we were off again making excellent progress mildly amused by the trouble Tom was having with his hayfever and the state of his eyes.

We arrived in Dieppe with plenty of time to spare to back the vans, the riders to get changed and for me to get assaulted by a temporary ex-pat.

The ferry trip was a little rocky but uneventful and we were joined by a load of riders on their cycle challenge - Paris to London so we told them we wouldn't get out of bed for that.

Once in Newhaven it was a few beers and bed for the best nights kip so far.

Ride Stats:

Punctures: 3
Crashes: 1

Day 1 Paris to L'Isle Adam

Well we arrived safely in Paris after an interesting drive via the Champs and the Arc.

Once the riders arrived and after a few photos they set off and thanks to the Paris traffic it took us 12 miles to catch them up.

Arrived at the 'hotel' to double bed and bunk bed room - I have the big bed tonight.

No mechanicals or punctures so far. Tomorrow is a 730 start with a 1600 ferry deadline so hopefully more than a 4 hour sleep.