Having completed our first challenge on 10 July 2011, Jamie and Neil have decided to continue fundraising for Help for Heroes & Starlight charities, by static cycling in various shops across Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset. Jamie is also training to cycle stage 19 of the 2011 Tour de France (Modane to Alpe d'Huez) in the future. We hope to raise £20,000

All donations no matter what the size, will be graciously received and further add to our enthusiasm to raise even more money for our chosen charities. Donations can be made securely by following the links below. Thank you for your interest in our challenge, please pop back from time to time, to see our progress.

2 July 2011

Leg 1 Lands End to Oakhampton

Waking up at 0530hrs we promptly slammed the same doors that woke us at 2 in the morning by our RAF friends, and after a quick bowl of muesli and a cup of tea from the back of the van (nothing open, to early),  set off from RAF St Mawgan at 0630hrs, travelling the 50 miles (Via McDonalds) See You Tube clip of `Us on a bus`. After parking directly in front of the Lands End visitors centre & being duly reprimanded, we had some photos taken by Chris, then set off from Lands End a few minutes before 8:30am. Again, we couldn't have asked for better weather.  A glorious sunny morning.  The first 20 miles were staggeringly beautiful and we were met by our incredible support crew of Chris & Mark, who were there to look after our every need.  However we then hit the A30 dual carriageway which was to take us to Okehampton.  If you are in a car it is a lovely road.  On a bike its a different story.  Cars and trucks screaming past, all in a hurry to get somewhere, and missing us by inches. We finally arrived at Okehampton, but the camp where we were to be accommodated took us off of our route and sat at the top of a 2 mile hill.  After 98 miles, of which 70 was on the dangerous A30, not a welcome site.  The decision was made to log the exact position on GPS, load the bikes on the van, and drive to the camp.  We had booked a pitch to erect a tent and expected to cook for ourselves. Through the generosity of all Permanent Staff personnel within the camp, we are writing this blog from a warm room & with some very tasty food in our bellies. We would also like to thank the lovely couple who saw us having our picture taken at Lands End & donated & also to the people who donated along route. We were also inspired & encouraged by the many people tooting, shouting, hollering & waving support as we cycled.
We were less impressed by the one fool who shouted expletives & threatened to knock us off next time. I wonder if he understands the workings of Karma.  We have cameras on our bikes and have your registration number, so if you reading this, and it was you - we will find you.

Tomorrow, we cycle from Oakhampton to Chepstow, a distance of 116 miles. We`ll blog when we have sorted out all of our admin.

1 comment:

  1. Well done lads. I saw you near Penzance and spoke breifly from the car window - I had just completed the bike ride from the other end - you gave me a card - fantastic effort boys - its tough but keep going.

    Steve Payne

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