Day 16 to the finish line!!

I apologise for the lack of updates as time in Barcelona stressing about bike boxes coupled with having a good time has put back me updating the blog.

This excerpts are from Tom Arnold combined with the other guys renditions of what happened on the last few days of the ride.

Wednesday 18th August Quillan to Le Boulou

A dampener was put on an early morning start in Quillan with the news that Phil’s wallet had gone missing. After a while searching the rest of the team cracked on to leave the bike for life resident linguist to work his magic and try and resolve the situation. The morning’s riding took the team further into the depths of the Pyrenees and increasingly beautiful surroundings. The fresh morning sun soon rose over the hills and blazed down for the rest of the day making some of the considerable hills even more difficult. We made it to Le Boulou after a warm days work and enjoyed the swimming pool the campsite had to offer. Whilst enjoying the customary post ride beer, a very sweaty and penniless Phil rejoined the team. A big day awaited everyone with the Pyrenees and the Spanish border looming on the horizon.

Thursday 19th August Le Boulou to Girona

Another early morning start to escape the blistering ‘heat of the day’ took us into the midst of the Pyrenees. A stroke of logistical genius courtesy of Eddie Musson ensured that the Pyrenees offered surprisingly few challenges. After crossing the Spanish border and taking a pit stop, jubilant spirits filled the team, although this was now mixed with a cocktail of irritated truck drivers on the N-11 highway and the questionable aromas of the Spanish border towns in the midday sun. The team powered into Girona, the last major town before Barcelona and enjoyed a meal and a relax before deciding on a campsite for the night. The campsite was summed up by George Jennings as ‘the worst campsite in the world’. The mosquitos, hard ground and lofty prices were soon forgotten though as the swimming pool was taken over by the team for some tomfoolery. Further shenanigens followed as James Rudolph attempted to catch one of the roaming chickens to give George a welcome back from the shops in his tent. The team then settled down to a good nights sleep to prepare for tomorrows closing stages.

Friday 20th August Girona to Barcelona

After a brief stop for breakfast at a local bakery, which included Eddie Musson taking a pasting from the local baker who grabbed his belly to insinuate that Ed was perhaps carrying a bit too much timber to be a cyclist. Little did the baker know, he was addressing one of nine proud British Athlete’s who were now on the finishing stretch of an epic tour. After some slight route issues which had the team riding on some motorway-esque roads, they settled down to the final lunch at a supermarket. The satisfaction of knowing that this would be the last time the alleyway next to the local Lidl would be the teams dining option was great. However, the cycling gods were not on our side and appeared to have a particular bone to pick with Tom Bustard. The third puncture of the day sent him flying off the road on a steep hill, but he quickly recovered and after George unhelpfully applied some chaffage cream to his wounds and the team were up and going again. A quick stop off at the campsite we had chosen for the night and dumping of panniers left the team on course for their victory parade. With a mere 10 miles to go, poor luck turned into farce. After ten minutes of riding, James Rudolph picked up a sizeable puncture and with all the spare inner tubes back at the campsite, it was time for another pit stop. Fortunately this pit stop happened to be outside the local offy and a few victory shandies became the order of the day. Alex and Louis also pumped up the festival atmosphere with an extremely questionable Spain bandana and a whistle. The smooth victory ride failed to materialise and the ride into the city boundary brought further tests for the team. First came the fact that no one actually knew how to get into the city centre. Then came puncture number five as Louis’ bike which had made it so far despite the back wheel looking more square than round by this stage, finally gave in. Then Bustard’s ‘straw that broke the camels back’ moment came with puncture number six. However, after 1150 miles, the camaraderie in the team knew no bounds and in true ‘Cool Runnings’ fashion everyone dismounted and we carried our bikes the final mile to the finish line in Plaza del Catalunya. Euphoria swept through the team and the party began. Singing, dancing and all round riotous behaviour in the main square in Barcelona capped an epic journey. The team were joined by the two fallen soldiers, Stu and Tom and the party continued despite Stu’s bumbag. It had been a truly epic journey with many ups and downs, encapsulated in this last rigourous day where we had clocked up 90 miles. A big thank-you must go to everyone who has sponsored us and made the ride even more worthwhile in supporting the Sheffield Children’s hospital and for now, this is Bike for Life out.

Day 15 continued - I don't want to see Tom's phone bill after these updates.

Tuesday 17th August - Castelnandry to Quillan 45 miles.

After possibly the worst night's sleep of the tour, the peleton managed to get out of the campsite at 9am. An amazing feat given George's narcolepsy. After pastries, the guys set off at a blistering pace towards the rolling hills in the distance. With the temperatures hitting 32 degrees Celsius, a stop was needed for water and they headed to Limoux. In scenes reminiscent of the allies in Eindhoven, they were welcomed into the town by lots of British tourists who wanted to find out how the guys were getting on. After the welcome distraction, James and Alex led everyone into the majestic foothills of the Pyrenees before Simon, Phil, Bush and George bombed on to the overnight stop in Quillan. They were made up to find a pool at the campsite and Ed 'Mad Dogg' Musson wasted no time in pulling out a John Smiths special to fire himself to bellyflop stardom (video to follow). This was accompanied by a number of controversial videos shot by Bustard around the kid's pool. However, they don't think he is at Gary Glitter's level yet. All in all it was a picturesque day as they move in to the business end of the tour. Even the sight of flames amongst the trees in the evening was not enough to dampen spirits. Louis claims it won't amount to much, so watch this space...

Day 15 - More Updates Unwind From Tom

Again I apologise for the lack of updates but I can only post what I've been told via sms from the boys.

This whole crap knee business and having to come home early is not recommended.

Anyway, the guys progress reports.

Friday (the 13th August) - The guys travelled from Cognac to Mussidan, I haven't been informed of any revelations during this day so I'm guessing the curse of friday the 13th didn't phase our hardened cycling giants.

Saturday (14th) - Mussidan to Montaiguy. A reasonably uneventful day in the sunshine spiralled into depression and depression upon trying to find the campsite. After a 3km detour to find the campsite in the middle of nowhere, the guys were confronted with every french holidaymaker in central France and a full campsite. Negotiations via a happy dutch camper and an irate Thomas Bustard proved futile. A particularly motherly British lady offered the guys her pitch but the fascist of a campsite manager was having none of it. The despair spread through the group, but a chink of light appeared as their new dutch chum got them booked into a campsite 8km away. The ride involved a gruelling hill climb, George stealing Ed's map and throwing it in the road to his own and Si's childish amusement and several infuriating stops for Louis due to his questionable pannier loading. We then arrived at an idyllic spot on the river where they settled down to a refreshing glass of wine and the sounds of some chirpy ducks, which Louis enjoyed a bit too much.

Sunday 15th August - Montaigu to Grisolles - 50 miles. After the drama of the preceeding night, the team took the morning off. This involved Tom Bustard taking part in the inaugural Montaigu triathlon starting in the lake. This was met with complete disinterest by everyone else. Further mellowness ensued as George treated everyone to story time from his new mountaineering book. When the guys finally set off, the French had turned against them. Perhaps it was Bush donning the Union Jack, or perhaps it was Alex's insulting intimation of a French man. Two motorists took exception to us, one woman nearly causing a pile up. George chastised the said woman by shouting in the Queen's English 'What are you doing WOMAN!??'. The rest of the day involved drizzle and dreariness. The campsite was questionable at best but the Bike for Life team marched on.

Monday 16th August - Grisolles to Castell Naudiery 62 miles. After some sound advice from two more upstanding Dutch citizens the guys took a break from the roads and hit the canals. Flat and shady, they ate up the miles, only stopping to get lost in Toulouse and bring the city to a standstill with their repeated ignorance of red lights and one way systems. The guys also conversed with a Frenchman and his wolf of a dog called Shadow, who Phil yet again befriended. Other ports of call included an intermarche to the displeasure of Bustard where the faint tunes of Kasabian where met with dancing in the cheese aisle. After arriving at Castell in good time they hit the town. First port of call here was the local kebaby courtesy of Louis' kebaby sixth sense. After a fine scouse impression, Adille, the kebab man treating them to some breakdancing after some bullying from Bustard. It was surreal. Phil enjoyed the local vino a bit too much and Louis went back for his second kebab and it was another athletic end to the evening.

Day 11 - Wind Down and Lets Have A Catch Up

Due to my injury, which has been diagnosed as strained ligaments, I have not been able to commentate and illustrate the groups progression across the French landscape.

Earlier, Bustard informed me of what I have been missing.

On Sunday (Day 7), they travelled to Segre, 76 miles for the day.

Monday, they travelled to Vihiers, 57 miles.

Tuesday, they travelled to Chavauex near Nihort, 74 miles.

Wednesday, they travelled to Cognac, 74 miles.

Thursday, the guys took a well deserved rest day.

Notable stories and trivia.

After departing from Villedieu des Poeles and leaving me in the hands of the French (Marine in particular), Alex and Tom Brokebacked it up but caught up the rest of the guys the day after.

Back as a whole group, Bustard had a scare with a car and the french man driving the car wasn't very happy with Bustard's englishness.

George apparently walked along a pole over a raging river in a spectacle of daredevilness.

The guys bumped into a Bull with a rather large manhood. Bustard was jealous.

James is on France's most wanted for theft from a decathlon store.

Bustard has been trying it on with the local french girls but to no avail. It must be his fantastic french accent.

The guys met the president of a french cycling team. There are some national competitions in France at the moment.

One of the campsites was closed, instead the guys got invited into someones home and got showered and fed for free!

Phil has been a hero for translating, the guys would have probably been in a different country by now if he wasn't around.

Singing has got the guys through some of the rainy days, seriously rainy days.

Bustard had his ipod stolen when he was in the shower, he went mental but to no avail.

They have had a tour of the Martell Cognac distillery and it was good banter, and a bbq finished off the evening so they are refreshed for tomorrow's ride.

They are roughly just over half way through the ride but the Pyrenees are dawning...

Day 9 - Curvy Hills and Closed Campsites

The guys have texted me what has happened in France today.

I've been told it has been a pretty uneventful day but the terrain that has been covered has been of the hilly type. But luckily no injuries or punctures on the way.

However, once the guys reached the designated campsite it was closed therefore they headed into the local town where a very kind french couple welcomed the guys into their home. They have had a very warm welcome with showers all round and they are currently waiting for dinner, courtesy of the couple.

The town they are in is a tiny village called San Christophe near Chemille and the speedo says 50 miles for the day but due to the hard going terrain it has been a good days work.

Day 8 - Travelling on Trains

It would be a long day of travelling for me.

I woke up nice and early to meet Marine and headed to the train station.

After lugging my bike up the stairs over the track I soon spotted a level crossing I could have used, but never mind.

Marine helped me in buying the correct tickets for the day. And the journey started. We travelled from Villedieu to Argentan. Waited for our next train which was delayed to Caen where Marine helped me get on the right train to Cherbourg. I can not thank her enough for helping me out when I needed it. She even bought me a sandwich!

Whilst on the Cherbourg train a friendly homeless irish man decided to spark up a conversation with me. Informing me about many conspiracies about certain bad people in ireland and gave me newspaper cuttings to match the stories. It was informing but maybe a little intimidating.

After arriving in Cherbourg I found my way to the dock where I waited and prayed that my ferry was on time and hoped my dad found his way to Portsmouth well. He is a hero for picking me up from Portsmouth and I think it puts him in the super dad category.

The rest of the guys have had another good day of progress. All the way to Vihiers. I will try and find out some stories from them.

My summary:

I travelled 330 miles on my bike in 5 and a half days, but it was my knee that let me down. I'm already thinking about another bike tour but who knows when. I will just have to see what the doctor says about my knee and take it from there. Thanks for all your donations. I know I didn't complete what I set out to do but there are still 9 other riders who are still enroute and were all supporting the same charity.
Thank you.

Day 7 - Stiff Sodding Sunday

This morning wasn't as comfy as the night before.

I woke up with stiffness and pain in my knee knowing that one nights rest would not do it good with suspected tendonitus.

I got on my bike and rode around the campsite to evaluate the damage.

I was done. There was no way I could cycle fully kitted up without causing myself serious damage. So I had to make the right choice and quit the tour.

Being upset I had to discover a way I could get back to england easily.

Tom and Alex asked some fellow Brits where they were heading but it was of no use. Therefore we headed down to the tourist information desk to see what they could organise.

There were buses that travelled to Cherbourg but they wouldn't accept the bike. Therefore the train was the next best option to get to Cherbourg for the ferry.

In order to get to Cherbourg I had to take three trains in a country where I only know little bits of the language.

Luckily I had a Guardian Angel, Marine, who is a young lady who works at the tourist information desk and has a very kind heart. She needed to travel to Caen the next day which was on the way to Cherbourg. After agreeing to meet at 8.45am the next day I left to set up my tent alone at the campsite.

Alex and Tom were great support but now needed to head off to catch the others. We said our goodbyes and off they went.

At the campsite I read most of my book and had a few beers. I tried to get involved in the table tennis but the dutch weren't having any of it!

The Brokeback mountain duo of Tom and Alex made to Loiron before sunset and the others had made is Segre. A good 40 miles ahead.