This weekend Joey, Mikey, Pete and Macca decided to squeeze in a 60 mile ride on Saturday morning so that they could get back in time for the Loins first test against South Africa in the afternoon. Guilford was the chosen destination as the team had been kindly offered some free electrolyte powder and water bottles from the UK distributor of Zym who are based in the town (visit www.gozym.com/). In the absence of "GPS Jim" (who was on holiday), Guilford was an easy choice since the team had ridden towards the town on a number of occasions and didn’t need Jimbo to guide their route... or so we thought!
Since we only needed directions to Guildford from Cobham (which we had ridden to on a number of occasions) the route planning was left to Mikey, but to great surprise he navigated the team through the most boring A-Road route most of the way from Putney (Michael obviously didn't realise Cobham was on the more scenic route towards Guilford). The route was extremely slow (mainly because of Mikey dithering over directions) that an extra hour was added to the journey. After a short chat to Zym's UK distributor (who, as it happens, has twice ridden LEJOG twice, with a best time of an astonishing five days!) time was duly running out and getting to the pub for the start of the Lions rugby match was in danger. The decision was taken (by Mikey) to ride back from Guilford along the A3.
Having ridden along the A3, one question arises – how on earth is a three-lane extension of the M3 not classified as a motorway?!?
After negotiating a couple of death-defying motorway-style slip roads with cars entering and exiting the A3 at 70mph, Mikey decided to flag down a taxi and get a ride home (granted he did have a double puncture from all of the motorway debris). Joe, Welly and Macca braved it out and made it home in one piece in time for the second half of the Lions game, with a smug Mikey waiting for them in the pub.
Three important lessons were learnt this week:
· Never leave directions to Mikey; · Never arrange rides around TV sporting fixtures; · Never cycle on a three lane motorway.
A select few, including guest rider Chris "Rambo" Ramsden, chose to cycle to the South coast and follow the official London to Brighton cycle route. However, this was only just under 60 miles and now the LEJOG team are cycling machines this wasn't deemed far enough. So it was decided to cycle back to London too! 115 miles in total, yes that's right, over the magic milestone of 100 miles.
The route takes in the picturesque Sussex countryside through some quaint English villages and includes several hills, notably "The Beacon" - a savage steep climb after 40 miles, Ditchling Beacon (3rd highest peak in the South Downs apparently!).
The sunny shores of Brighton were eventually reached where a bag fish and chips and a paddle in the cold English Channel were enjoyed, plus a rare sighting of the 80's wrestler Mike "The Madman" Johnson (see photos). The team left "Rambo" lying in a deck chair eating a ice cream as they began their homeward journey.
A highlight on the return journey was a stop in Fanny's Farm Shop; a small piece of organic heaven nestled down a country lane selling all their own produce grown in the gardens surrounding the shop. They also boasts the "world's best marmalade". Everyone was glad "Organic Ollie" wasn't there to see this home-grown homemade haven, otherwise the team would probably still be in the shop now! (www.fannysfarmshop.co.uk).
A couple of incidents of "anti-cyclist road rage" and encounters with angry drivers, no punctures and a top speed of 43.63mph (Jimmo) - this marker may take some beating which James claims was achieved because of his raw leg power, others say it is because of momentum and his weight!
Second major sponsorship partner announced, BNP Paribas Real Estate, the real estate property consultancy arm of BNP Paribas (www.bnpparibas.com).
BNP Paribasis a European leader in banking and financial services. The Group has one of the largest international banking networks, a presence in over 85 countries and 172,300 employees including: 131,100 in Europe - among whom 19,300 in Italy and 63,600 in France and in the Overseas Departments; 15,000 in North America and 9,400 in Asia. BNP Paribas was voted Global Bank of the Year 2008 (The Banker magazine).
BNP Paribas Real Estate, formerly known as Atisreal, provides a range of services solutions for public and private sector organisations, occupiers and investors. The groups' services include Brokerage, Investment & Asset Management, Consulting, Corporate Real Estate, Property & Facility Management, Valuation, and Work Place Solutions. BNP Paribas Real Estate's international Corporate Real Estate teams offers integrated solutions for clients with cross-border property requirements.
The LEJOG team are pleased to announce their first sponsorship partner, Arup.
Arup isa global consulting firm of engineers, designers, planners and project managers providing a diverse range of professional services to clients around the world and has over 10,000 staff based in 92 offices in 37 countries. Arup exert a significant influence on the built environment and are the creative force behind many of the world’s most innovative and sustainable designs including, the Sydney Opera House (Sydney, Australia), the iconic CCTV Headquarters (Beijing, China), the Beijing Aquatics Center (Beijing, China) (aka "The Water Cube"), the Scottish Parliament building (Edinburgh, Scotland), 30 St Mary Axe (London, England) (aka "The Gherkin") and Heathrow Terminal 5 (London, England). For more info check out their website www.arup.com.
The LEJOG team would like to thanks Arup for all their support.
Keep a look out for the Arup logo on the LEJOG customised cycling kit (to be unveiled soon).
An early morning start and a 100 mile route through the Surrey countryside was planned this weekend, then the rain came and we did what any real man would do - stayed in doors until the rain stopped! We eventually ventured out in to the cold and wet conditions but not until late morning - a luxury we won't be able to afford during LEJOG and will have to cycle regardless of the weather (orders in for rain jackets have now been placed!). The weather brightenned up and the team managed 80+ miles.
Continuing last weeks brush with Middle England this week we went one step further; a viewing with The Queen herself! Returning from a afternoon at the Gee Gees (Epsom Derby). As her cavalcade passed by Mikey and Jim stopped and didn't know whether wave or bow, they decided to wave and were greeted with a royal wave in return (although rumour has it, The Duke of Edinburgh also gave Mikey a cheeky wink too!). 1 puncture (Joe).
Over 80 miles through Royal County of Berkshire and an insight into how the other half live; cycling past the preferred residence of the Queen, Windsor Castle, followed by the latest outbreak scene of swine flu, Eton College, then on to a rowing Regatta at Eton College rowing lake, Eton Dorney, where we finally met the elusive 7th member of our LEJOG team, Grangey (proving he really does exist). The second half of the route saw a polo match at the Royal Guards Polo Club in Windsor's Great Park and numerous Sunday afternoon cricket matches being played on many of the village greens along the route.
A strong performance from all the team on a blisteringly hot day, particularly when Headwind Harry joined us for the return leg of the route. Sun tan lotion was a must today (apart from Mikey who apparently has special skin and doesn't need any). Macca suffered his first puncture but Jimmo currently leads the LEJOG punctures league table after a spectacular double blow out in both tyres at the same time (5 in total so far) - he blames the pot hole riddled British roads, but others say he's too heavy for cycling.
RSS Feed