The tears have been shed, the muscles have been stretched
way beyond where you thought they could go, riders have peddled 180 miles, crew
have organised every minute of every day and together we have spent 3
incredible days together.
It didn't make sense to write two separate blog posts so I
thought that I would do one final summary. No photos in this one as we will be
circulating every photo over the next few days so right now try and cast your
mind's back to day 2 and the cycle to Dieppe.
We promised the riders that it would be an easier day and so
it proved to be. (or at least sitting in the comfort of the car it seemed that
way) My own day started with my first attempt at signage. Now looking back I
can see how that was a 3 pronged approach to this task. A combination between
the games of dare and chicken topped off with a continual debate that would
rival question time.
The games of dare and chicken involved Paul our logistics
guru driving one handed down country lanes holding a map and pretending to know
where every sign should be mounted. The final part to the game involved an
abrupt application of the foot on the brake pedal. The door then being opened
at the same time as trying to jump out, attach a sign and jump back in before
the door swung back shut, Paul's foot hit the accelerator and the cars behind
reached our back bumper. I have to say that I loved every minute of it – it was
kind of my own version of the A team meets Starsky and Hutch and if you are too
young to remember either then I guess I really am that old.
The negotiation part was very simple. It always involved me
saying that maybe we should put up an extra sign here or there and Paul and my
son Aaron telling me to shut up. Negotiation over…
So with signage underway the riders all set off to enjoy the
beautiful countryside. Our lead rider Perry and his peloton were a little
slower to head off but it was only a matter of time before they reached the
front of Tour de Guts In Motion. Oh how wrong we were. A series of breakdowns,
punctures and general equipment failure meant that it took them 3 hours to hot
rest stop one. We weren't worried though as we knew the power and pace that
existed in our Day zero peloton and soon they started to catch the rest of the
field.
Everything continued smoothly, all riders passed through
rest stop one without the hint of what was ahead. Trin our lovely overseas
guest finally started enjoying the ride although it did have something to do
with Mike the Mechanic (sorry Flying Dutchman) fitting her with the right bike.
With less than six miles to a cold beer and the beach at Dieppe The Prof had
what can only be described as “spill of the ride” and so his legendary status
was confirmed.
Sadly though this spill wasn’t so minor and one ambulance
and three hours later a broken clavicle was confirmed. We thought that might be
the end for him but oh no. That grit and determination only associated with
legends kicked in and not only did he make dinner but he spoke and then made
that ridiculously early ferry ride at the start of day 3.
So with all the riders ensconced in Dieppe enjoying the sights
and sounds of the seaside having completed approximately 120 miles the majority
of the crew headed for the ferry and the glamour of Newhaven ahead of the final
push to Wimbledon.
I would like to say that the ferry ride was riveting but in
truth the highlight was seeing how many crisps we could store in Phil’s hair
without him noticing. We got to 7 before the giggles caught up with all of us.
Quote of the ferry ride though undoubtedly fell to Mike who proceeded to tell
me that the fish and chips he ate on the boat definitely put his “Guts In
Motion”
The final day started ridiculously early with a 4am alarm
call. To make matters worse for the riders a 4 hour ferry journey lay ahead. I
had it on good authority though that there was a huge amount of snoring on the
ferry and not a lot of talking. By 9am the ferry had docked and the riders
started to appear at the start line in Newhaven.
Prior to that happening the crew had also been up early – having
stayed the night at a Travel Lodge it was a quick breakfast and the Paul,
Laurence (making her signage debut) and Phil who headed off towards the finish
line and the last day of signing. As the day wore on it became clear that the
signage had undoubtedly had a female touch to them with pictures, love quotes
and creative wording appearing at regular intervals.
The remainder of us
ensured that the bikes were unloaded the rider jerseys were sorted and all the
bags were ready for the riders to get their cycle gear out and change. Scott’s
reaction to the fact that the lorry was heading home and he had to fit all the
luggage, spare bikes and everything else left on the back of his van was
priceless. If this wasn't a family blog I would quote him word for word.
Needless to say by rest stop one he had calmed and managed to find yet another
field in which to top up his bronzed Adonis like body.
A little weary the riders set off and all reached rest stop
one in one piece and with a few smiles on their faces. I say all but that wasn't
strictly true. It became clear quite quickly that Alex was missing. A few
mobile phone calls appeared to put all our mind’s at ease as we assumed he was
relatively close by. Oh how wrong we were. Alex somehow decided to head for
Brighton except not on the roads but across fields and only some quick thinking
by Andy and Carl tracked him down before he reached field number 4.
So with that drama over it was on to rest stop two and
everyone safely through. Now rest stop two is a very big deal for the ride as
it is the last pit stop before the famous White Hill and lunch. So usually when
a summary blog post it written it is all about White Hill but this time the
drama unfolded just two miles out of the rest stop. Perry was assigned rider
mentor to Jake and Nathan and was cycling just ahead of the two boys when he went
over a manhole cover. Nothing unusual there I hear you say except that cover
was not level and according to the boys they watched Perry wrestle to keep the
big under control as the manhole cover had thrown him completely off balance.
After a few meters even his bike skills couldn't prevent him falling and
skidding right across the road. When we got the call that there had been an
accident involving Perry our first thoughts were “oh my gosh what about his bike..”
No in all seriousness it was probably his bike skills that
prevented a worse accident and the fact that Justine and The “legend" were on
the scene quickly. Much of his skin down one side was left on the road but
after a clean-up and bandaging Perry was up, walking and smiling and THE Bike
was rescued in one piece.
And so we moved on to White Hill. Now if you are a family
member or friend reading this you are probably wondering what all this white
hill lark is about. Well it is the hardest hill on the whole ride. The prize
for getting up there is lunch at a lovely pub and so the challenge to get up
without stopping had been set. Now let me say this we don’t set that challenge
it has just become the Guts In Motion nemeses.
It would be wrong to single any of the riders out but the
prize for guts and courage has to go jointly to Katie and to our tandem duo Zoe
and Ben. How those guys climbed the hill was amazing – I am in awe….. And then
there was lunch and the final 20 miles in to the finish.
Fortunately that went untroubled and all the riders gathered
around the corner from the finish line so that we could complete this epic
adventure together. And with Hey Jude being sung and the crew leading the way
on foot the ride entered South Park Gardens and 180 miles was complete.
The pictures that will follow tell the story far better than
any of my blog posts could. But let me end with this.
To the riders – you are simply inspirational, a truly
special group of people who I can’t thank enough. You have given of your time,
pushed your bodies harder than they have probably ever been pushed and done it
all with a smile (and the odd grimace). From the bottom of my heart a huge
thank you. And a plea…..come back and do it all again next year and bring your
friends.
To the crew – my son Aaron, Mel, Laurence, Phil, Spencer
(our very own photographer extraordinaire), Scott, Mike The Flying Dutchman, my
darling wife Justine and our end of ride party co-coordinator Richard – You are
simply amazing. You selfless give up your free time to get up early, go to bed
late, lift, lug, carry, run, drive and generally organise everything for
everyone else. Thank you just isn't enough…
To Perry for leading the ride with your usual class. I will
never ever forgot three words Hydrate, Hydrate and Hydrate. Thank you for being
so fantastic over the course of the ride. I won’t hug you as it probably hurts
at the moment but consider this a big virtual hug.
Finally to Bern, Paul and Andy – words are inadequate
because whatever I could write isn’t enough. Thank you for just being so
selfless, so committed and so incredible yet again. You are the ones that
really bring everything together. Thanks to all of you I got to fulfill my dream
of actually being a part of the ride. You are 3 special friend.
Thanks to our fab sponsors Squire Sanders, WPP, Berroca, The
Light Fund, Giant – can we count you in for next year??
And the last word is this – so far this ride has raised over £64,000. That is AMAZING – now got
share your stories and shout about what you have done and I suspect that we can
hit that magic £70,000.
And if you really want a laugh check out this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgX0-pRH2Vk&feature=youtu.be
