Cycling Day 10 - Northampton to Twickenham

Two down, one to go

A bright Sunday morning, a leisurely breakfast (for those who could be bothered to get up) and a 9am – well 9.15 – start this morning with Nick who had come up by train from London last night joining the Ironmen for the last day’s cycling.

It was a Sunday morning-like first session with a quiet B road, flattish terrain and a tail wind and the guys were in no hurry and sauntered through Newport Pagnall for their first break at the Wavendon Arms after 22 miles. The target for the day was 115 miles to complete the 1120 miles of the Deca-Ironman and the next ride to Hemel Hempstead made a nice dint in this total as it was almost 30 miles to the Tesco store. Our route took us past Woburn Abbey onto the A5 and then cutting across on the A505 to the Hemel road. At the Tesco store, Lesley, Ann, Sue and Karen from the local Leukaemia Research Branch were collecting. They had a table, banner and bright balloons on sticks to give to the many children and were doing a great job. Sandra and I had met Lesley Lee at the LRF Conference in Nottingham when I had mentioned the Triathlon during my presentation and Lesley had said afterwards that they would come and support us – THANK YOU SO MUCH – and thanks to all the Leukaemia Research volunteers who had given up their own time to collect. We were well received by Michelle and the team at Tesco and, all in all, it was a very good stop.

After a relatively flat ride so far, the third session which started back at the Hemel Magical Mystery Roundabout and took in Chesham, Amersham and Beaconsfield had 3 stiff climbs and some rough road surfaces. Nick started to blow hard up the hills but the toughened veterans just kept on going and arrived at the Loudwater Tesco around 3pm. Here Brian and Kate were collecting for Leukaemia Research and manager, Andy arranged for Rob and Dan to sit down in the quiet customer restaurant and prepare for their last 43 miles to Twickenham.

At this point I took over in the Volvo to guide the cyclists back along the route we had taken on an earlier training run to High Wycombe. However, the first few miles went badly wrong with first Dan cycling up, back down and up again a steep hill and Nick taking a wrong turning and getting lost. Pressing on I led Dan and Rob into the Burnham Beeches area and they proceeded to fly down the hills towards the A4. They seemed to have so much energy and were enjoying themselves – a far cry from the pain and fall of the previous Sunday and the hard climb up to Shap on Tuesday. Nick had tried to rejoin the pair but couldn’t handle the pace and having hitched a lift to Windsor, set out alone to complete his ride.

Meanwhile the triathletes were miles ahead and through Dorney, Eton and Datchett and down to the A30, the A308 and the A316 to Twickenham they flew, averaging well over 20mph. Knowing they were short of miles, they decided to turn off the agreed route and lost the support vehicle, leaving us to drive to the stadium and wait with the other 15 or so family and friends, who had gathered to welcome them back and celebrate their achievement.

It meant that no one knew where they were or when they would appear but appear they did around 5.40pm to loud cheers and applause and a very well deserved day's rest.

It has been an incredible journey around the UK, part of an even more amazing journey and it’s hard to put into words my admiration for the effort and determination that Dan and Rob have demonstrated – good work men. It is a privilege to travel the hard miles with them and gain some appreciation of the scale of the physical and metal challenge that they are facing up to. I know their commitment to helping to raise awareness and money to help the ‘forgotten tribe’ of teenagers and young adults like Tim – you are both crazy and you’re my heroes.

I’ll continue with the diary, after a day off, as we start the last leg of the journey to Paris and hope that the facilities of the byways of France allow me to update it daily. I hope also that the weather is good for running, French wine and food is palatable, that England win the World Cup but most of all, I pray that Dan and Rob arrive fit and well in Paris on September 6th.