Monday, 19 July 2010
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
One last puncture...
Cycling through London rush hour was huge fun.
I managed to miss the train I was hoping to catch in order for Han and the kids to pick me up, so waited around for Spencer and Neal to catch up (on the underground) so we could all travel back to Swindon together. The final hitch was that the train we wanted to catch had no more room for bikes, so I'm on my own for the final leg to Swindon. The good news is that my lovely wife will be able to pick me up from Swindon Station.
I'm really looking forward to seeing her again, it feels ages ago that I kissed her goodbye at Dover.
From Neal - A myth
The idea of amazing european rail service has been debunked. It left 15 minutes late and the supposed luggage area for the bikes was just about non-existent. We put them in an area in 1st class eventually and sat down on drop down seats in the luggage area. We were moved on because we weren't 1st class. You would be well put out if you paid for 1st class and had to sit on drop down seats next to the luggage!!!!
The train has finally picked up speed since leaving Liege.
Monday, 12 July 2010
Next year
We'll work out the details in due course but here's the idea:
A dawn to dusk race from Swindon northwards, around the time of the summer solstice. We'll equip ourselves with GPS and see who gets the furthest north by sunset. No support vehicles, carrying your own supplies.
I think that idea's got some real miles in it.
I think we have all probably had our fill of the multi-day, long distance challenge for now. Being away from Hannah and my kids has been tough emotionally. Doing day upon day of cycling is tough physically. Watching Spencer cycle off on his own without waiting for you again and again is tiring and frustrating (I lost it with him for a second year running). Constantly badgering friends and colleagues for sponsorship is a real pain, and not something I ever feel comfortable with. So all in all I think this thing has reached a natural conclusion.
The one beacon of hope in all this (besides the tremendous amount of money raised for good causes) was a throw away line I said to Spen earlier. He was talking about his mate Matt probably wanting to go riding when he gets back, Spen joked about Matt playing with the big boys. I joked saying Matt doesn't know that he's messing with a two-time veteran Tour de Amateur. In that one line though, I feel like this has taken on a bit of a life beyond this Tour. I'd like to keep challenging myself like this, there's something to be said for meeting a challenge head on, for not giving up when your body is begging you to. The most memorable points from London to Paris and from this tour haven't been the towns and cities we've seen or the food we've eaten (some of the most satisfying meals have been eaten sat at the side of the road), they've been being with my brothers pushing each other on when it's seemed impossible to carry on because of the heat or the rain, wind and hail, to climb the next hill when your legs haven't any more climbing in them.
Perhaps a race isn't in the spirit of brotherhood I've been extolling, but I think deep down we'd each like to see what the others are made of, and nothing will quite show you that like some 18 hours in the saddle!
From Neal - Catch up
This tour has been as much a battle against the elements as it has been physically. My saddle doesn't hurt like last time, I can walk properly, but the top of my shoulders have been the problem.
This morning was much like our night in Brussels, only much worse!! About a mile out of Valkenburg the thunder and lightening started, then the heavens opened up. The wind got so strong that trees came down, police and firemen were all over the place trying to clear them from the road. Hail the size of large peas came down. Yesterday got to 41 degrees, today we were hit with frozen rain, which by the way really hurts. On the plus side this reduced the temperature to a comfortable 16 degrees for a few hours.
German tarmac is the best in the world hands down. It was so smooth and meant that we could drive hard like the HTC Columbia train. We ate up the miles quite nicely. We did however find ourselves being beeped again by the German drivers who were pointing out that we did a number of miles in a 100kmh lane. We weren't going THAT fast!!!
Everything slowed right down when we hit the outskirts of Koln and ended up following a cycle path which took us on a large detour.
Adam seemed to be a little concerned about using his german language skills at the start of the tour. However, he has done a really good job on communicating with the locals and seemed to get into the more he has done it.
Tonight has been an evening of meat. Lashings of it. I had a drei konige which consisted of a lamb shank, pork ribs, pork knuckle all covered in a gravy with pan fried potatoes and sauerkraut!! A bit full now as you can imagine. Walking back to the hotel to sleep it off.
Beer with Fanta!!
I've nearly ordered a beer with Fanta. It's called Alster. I thought the Germans were beer connoisseurs. Another assumption dismissed.
Valkenberg to Cologne - The Numbers
DONE
There is nothing left to say. We're done!
Well actually I'm sure there is plenty more to say in the coming hours and days but for now thank you all.
I'd like to say we'll see you all again next year, but I'd be lying.
ANOTHER PUNCTURE!!
This time for Adam. Hopefully it will only take 10 minutes. We've just got through half way 33 miles. Another 28 miles to go.
PUNCTURE!!!
I thought it'd be my body that gave up first before the bikes.
I'm going to ignore these prompts to give up.
Once more into the breach my friends (as soon as we've got Neal's wheel fixed)
So here it is - the last day.
I'll be honest it's only a metre plus of German sausage at the other end that's keeping me motivated for the day ahead.
Carb Bomb
The first half of yesterdays mammoth effort was rather testing to be honest. Still we ploughed on. At the 60 mile rest point I decided it was "medication" time. So the only "Carb Bomb" I had was ingested. Well what a revelation!! The next 15 miles became a complete breeze. In fact at one point I got up to 27mph on the flat, which is quite a feat.
The come down/energy crash was inevitable though and the last 5 miles were horrible.
Sunday, 11 July 2010
What a day!
Today was a crazy day. I'm really gutted that I left my charger in Brussels. Spen managed to get a travel plug from the hotel, so we shouldn't be without blog writing capability tomorrow on the most important day.
I saw a sign showing 41 degrees C today, it felt hotter, especially with the humidity. I ended up getting Spencer to throw water over me at one point. The heat really was today's biggest challenge. The hills we were fearing (our first chevrons) weren't as bad as we'd feared.
Spencer is now 3 without reply on the sprints, after I challenged him to an uphill sprint.
By 50 miles Spen and I were really feeling it. The heat was outrageous, our water was hot, making it at best just replenishing our fluids lost. Sweat wasn't doing its job. We had to stop in the shade every now and again just to try and cool down.
By the time we reached Maastricht, I was very tired with very little water left. Valkenburg seemed to evade us, we kept cycling and it never seemed to to get any closer. We eventually headed in the right direction and met up with Neal at the hotel, but I was exhausted and unbearably hot.
The knee felt much stronger today so that's a positive.
After a long cold shower to cool my body down, we headed to a Chinese, to find ourselves the only people in there! The food was pretty good.
We then headed out to find somewhere to watch the game, which passed without incident, we headed home at full time to watch the rest from our incredibly hot and stuffy room. There is no aircon so we're in for a sweaty one. There is some consolation though, because Spain won, the Dutch won't be keeping us awake, it'll just be the heat.
Spencer said it first, but I agree. I can't see me putting myself through all this again.
Into Germany tomorrow. I'm looking forward to that, just hoping the rain stays away. Though it may cool things down a touch, eh?
Good night one and all!
Brussels to Valkenberg - The Numbers
Miles: 80.85
Start time: 07.52
Finish time: 18.30
Average speed: 12.5
Max speed: 31.1 mph
Calories: 3791
We're in Holland!
My backside is hot (you knew that already though, right?)
Now to find Neal!
Left the charger at the hotel...
In doing our stock check before leaving Neal to walk to the train station, I realised I left my charger and our only travel adapter at the hotel in Brussels!It seems that everywhere is closed here in Belgium after lunchtime, so I am a bit concerned for our chances of being able to buy more water. I have two almost full bottles and Spen has about the same (having taken Neals).
By going back for Neal (neither Spen or I heard him so carried on riding) our odometers are now not showing the correct distances. I'm not sure how much further we have to go, but I'd estimate another 40 miles.
We've stopped at the only open place to buy food - a kebab shop - and ordered two large chicken kebabs. They use the same bread for their kebabs that they did when I lived in Germany. Frankly, I'm looking forward to this.
It's the humidity that might kill us today
Well now we're 9.74 miles out, (having taken the roads this time) and went through some woods, with stunning rays of sunshine cutting into the ground mist.
We've stopped at what is effectively a Tesco Express in a petrol station. There is some park benches where we'll be tucking into something or other.
Woke up feeling tired this morning, but the knee seems to be holding out so far, and we've already had a quite long climb out of Brussels.
Saturday, 10 July 2010
The Moules were alright
It was expensive for the other options but mine were alright. Could have done with some more food though.
From Neal - Disappointing food.
We had one of the biggest lightening storms I've ever been caught it. Absolutely hammered down, which then turned into very large hail. I caught it all on camera.
Big day tomorrow, which is going to be the toughest one yet. Four single chevron hills and 75 miles. Not really a holiday hey.
Moules (not Mools)
As I sit here, a very big storm is brewing over our heads, and the rain is REALLY coming down. Hopefully this will be the end of it, and we won't get it tomorrow. We're sat under the awning, but it's coming through! :)
We're going to get SOAKED walking home, and that's really all we're capable of!
The tunnel
So we headed right, and under what we all thought was an underpass.
I had this horrible recurring thought going into the tunnel that a car was going to come around the corner and flatten us.
With the sunglasses on it was VERY dark, and the cars were flying by at 70kmph+
Initially it was quite scary, the following thoughts kept going through my head:
None of us have lights
I wish I'd bought travel insurance
I'd like to know how fast we're going, but I'm not taking my eyes off the road
I hope there are no potholes or bumps in the road, because I wouldn't see them
Why are we STILL going downhill?
How long is this tunnel!!?
Are we going to end up outside of Brussels?
Have those cars that are merging seen us?
I hope Spen's filming this
We're all going to die
I want to see where I'm going but I'm not taking my hands off the handlebars for ANYTHING.
Should we stop? No it's too far, and there's no way we can go back now
What DO the car drivers think we're doing here, having a laugh?
Ok, we haven't died yet, this is ridiculous and actually quite funny.
And finally, is this a way out? Yes it is, get out QUICKLY.
I can't wait to see Spen's video of the experience. None of us made a sound throughout, I think we were all caught away in our own thoughts.
As soon as I came out, and maybe a bit before, I can't remember (it was SUCH a rush), I couldn't stop laughing.
For me, it more than made up for quite an uneventful ride and especially the dreadful cycle lanes. Just before we reached Brussels I gave up riding on them and had joined the main road which was much smoother without an inch step every 5 meters or so.
The hotel is very nice, and the shower was wonderful, I'm laying on the bed watching the Tour de France (though I think we'd all prefer the Tour de Sloggi) in my thick bath robe, getting very hungry but not really wanting to move.
From Neal - Our hotel
Our hotel in Brugges is nice. They upgraded us and the view from our room is amazing. We are on the 20th floor and have panoramic view of the city.
From Neal - Just glad to be alive!!!
I'm sure each one of us will blog on what happened when we got into Brussels, so here is my take. I had an internal monologue going on which became a loud vocal monologue which was 'I am going to die, I am going to die, I am going to die!!!!
It was without doubt the scariest moment of my life, no joking, and I've jumped out of a plane!!
We were coimg up to a basilica and the map said we needed to go around it, so we took a right. This funnelled us down a tunnel and we all realised quickly that the sign on the tunnel meant cars only. Our next thought was this should only be a short tunnel. It wasn't!!! It just kept dropping down and down and getting faster and faster. The tunnel was not well lit, particularly in sunglasses. The sound was incredible and frightening as it had large industrial extrator fans and cars coming past us all beeping their displeasure in finding cyclists in the tunnel!!! Those idiot english!!!!
As it got faster and faster, partly the slope but also us pedalling furiously in order to get out, there were a couple of slip roads which merged into the main traffic flow at full speed. I nearly had a heart attack!!
We managed to get upto 30 miles an hour in our adrenaline fuelled state. My body is in a state of exhaustion now the adrenaline is leaving my body.
Family and friends I'm glad to be alive.
Bruges to Brussels - The Numbers
Miles: 64.13
Start time: 08.15
Finish time: 16.00
Average speed: 13.3 (that's exactly what happens when you ride 60 miles on the pavement!)
Max speed: 31 mph
Calories: 2542
Halfway through and the moaning is now in full swing
I'm sure the blog will be full of it before bedtime. I'll start. See my last blog.
What a beautiful day.....
....for burning yourself red raw and passing out with heat stroke!!!
Nasty.
Bruxelles
From Neal - It ain't half hot mum
Cheerio!!
Lunchtime
It's 12:20 and we've stopped for some lunch. We are flying today, fewer stops although a more hilly than yesterday.
Slight update, the place we stopped for some sandwiches were incredibly slow, so we decided to cycle on to Aalst.
Spencer and Neal have popped in to Delhaize (seemingly the only supermarket chain in Belgium) for some supplies.
So far we've covered 46 miles, so in theory less than 20 to go.
It's probably inevitable that I'm drawing comparisons with last year's ride, and Aalst seems to be last years Grandvilliers. In that it's very warm, we were flying along and weren't far from our destination. I only hope the comparisons end there, because last year it was painful getting back on the bike and the last leg was a killer.
Spen's achilles is still sore, and I think it's giving him some gyp when we do go up the hills. My knee is sore as well, but its just a constant dull pain, so I can manage it.
Spen challenged me to another sprint, which is a good way to break up the day, unfortunately for him it's 2-0 to me.
Saw a couple of great town names so far, so whilst I still remember them Plopsaland yesterday and most appropriately for this morning, I spotted a sign as we were leaving Bruges for Assebroek.
The bike's been good, despite (I think) being the oldest. I did ask the guys to stop at a bike shop to see if they'd pump my front tire because it felt (going over the rougher surfaces) as though it was a little flat. I went into the shop, spoke to very kind lady who kindly agreed to let me pump it up. It turns out I'm just soft, as it was already fully inflated!
Just finished my ham baguette and a spot of potato salad, so I guess we'll be heading off to Brusells.
See you later!
From Neal - Update
On being downwind from my brothers...
That's not too bad
06.30 alarm call - check
Legs working - check
Dry cycling kit - almost
Excitement for the day ahead - surprisingly yes
Friday, 9 July 2010
End of Day 1
Well the first 80 miles is in the bag and the body is tired and ready for bed. I guess it's at this time the excitement for the start has gone and the idea of another 3 days with a tired and sore body begins to dawn on you. It's another 65 miles tomorrow and I'd like to be on the road tomorrow rather than bike lanes. It just doesn't feel right doing miles and miles on the pavement like some 9 year old!!
To those that said this was just a holiday...
If last year is anything to go by, tomorrow is going to be harder.
Today was an interesting one, with the crossing into Belgium, the 20 or so miles where it seemed that everyone was crossing the road to get to the beach and the lovely Bruges.
Dinner was nice tonight, simple and good value for money. I have a vegetable soup to start, Chicken, salad and chips (not very Belgian, but we decided to do the Moules in Brussels). I've been ready to sleep since I showered, so I'm off to bed.
See you in the morning!
From Neal - Brugge food
We had a little walk around Brugge and discovered that you needed a second mortgage to eat. Spencer had a hankering for rice, then pork and lashings of bread. I fancied something belgian.
We found a little place which we sat outside. I had a traditional beef stew, flamande, with salad and frites. Adam and Spencer had the set 15 euro meal. Soup to start, Adam had half chicken, Spencer the pork chop he wanted, both came with a mushroom sauce. Dessert to come........
I'll sleep well tonight.
From Neal - Belgium King of all Cyclists
From Neal - Today's report.
Calais to Bruges - The Numbers
Miles: 80.23 (the second longest distance we've ever cycled)
Start time: 08.13
Finish time: 17.00
Average speed: 13.7 mph
Max speed: 27.3 mph
Calories: 3233
In Bruges
From Neal - Lunch
Suddenly
We've stopped in De Panne for a bite to eat.
From Neal - So far so good
We know where we are
Spen's been having some soreness in his achilles, otherwise we're all feeling fine. The average speed so far is 14.5 and it's been ok so far.
1/3 of the way and it's only 10:45, as despite Neal and Spencer moaning at me for setting the alarm this morning for 6:30 it did mean we were on our way by 8:00 as we'd planned.
To Laszlo and class 1B from Laszlo's dad.
Have a great day and wish us luck. I love you Laszlo and when you are older you can come too.
Neal
No holiday
For those that think this trip is some sort of holiday please note the time of these blog entries!!!
THIS IS IT
So all the planning is over and the talking can stop. Time to man up and get those legs moving. 76 miles today to Bruges. Dead flat today. Bon chance everybody!
Thursday, 8 July 2010
From Neal - Food report
When we got back to the hotel, Spencer suprised Adam and I with a sight that which should have had a parental warning attached. We have pictures, but know that children will be watching, so won't publish them at this stage. Suffice to say that you would need to be a private member to enjoy it. Underwear and the smallest old school cycling cap ever!!!
Bedtime now, we plan on and early start tomorrow, see you all then.
Tomorrow
It's weird being in Calais, in the same hotel even. Because my abiding memory of being here was of being completely knackered and being slightly trepidatious about the next day having just ridden close to 100 miles.
Perhaps that s why I feel so relaxed? Being here without being completely knackered? Don't know, but I'm looking forward to tomorrow, and glad that I'm riding lighter than last year (having learned what was necerssary and what wasn't).
See you in the morning!
From Neal - A better night in Calais.
We are sat outside a restaurant in the town centre having tracked down a proper French restaurant. Will report back on the meal. So far so good though.
I am hoping that we have learnt from our mistakes last year. The panniers should definitely help. This is the calm before the storm.
Report on meal to follow.
Swindon to Dover
Beautiful day today, much nicer than being sat in the office.
I managed to forget my bike bag for the train home, but thankfully that's all (so far anyway!).
Calais is now in sight
Despite my doubts Hannah Hurley has delivered us to Dover as expertly and as quick as the HTC Colombia "train"
We're off!
Admittedly an hour later than planned so it's now a race to Dover. Come on Hannah! Ignore those speed awareness courses you've been sent on!
Friday, 2 July 2010
The Numbers
Total distance: 278 miles (assuming we don't get lost)
Average distance per day: 69.5 miles
Calais to Bruges: 76.7 miles
Bruges to Brussels: 63.9 miles
Brussels to Valkenburg: 75.8 miles
Valkenburg to Cologne: 61.7 miles
Hours moaning about the aches, pains, weather etc: 37