The Last Supper

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The Bike Odyssey.

Day 1, 1st June
Werrington - Uttoxeter - Burton - Leicester

Last night at 6pm, all were assembled in the lounge for the “Last Supper”; Rory, Toby, Scott and Leslie. Harvey turned up with some beers and a strange present! Joy was there taking photos, and Kathryn phoned me from LA - what a lovely box of surprises she posted me today, the crystal ball I’ll take with me… There was a party atmosphere with everyone getting on just great. We had a sacrificial burning of the bike boxes up the garden, then drank beer in the garden till late. I spoke to my mum and dad before going asleep and gave them big hugs. They’ve been so supportive about this trip and without dad’s help it would not have been possible. So then I slept… not much.

Was up at 5.30am, showered, packed, and Kathryn rang at 6.30 to send me her love and to wish me a lovely trip, I will see her in 10 months! So… after much packing and double-checking we were ready after the Sentinel photo-shoot. I said a last farewell and “Thank You” to my parents, Harvey gave the start signal just after 9am, and we left for Singapore - the Odyssey and the dream had begun….?

It was overcast as usual, wind behind us, but thankfully no rain. I didn’t feel as sad as I’d expected, leaving home. Perhaps it’s ‘cos I’m with a group of super guys. Well, we went through Cheadle, stopped in Uttoxeter at the bank, then headed for Burton where we all had chips. Toby’s tyres were splitting so we had to go to a bike shop to get him new ones. We carried on towards Leicester, the goal was Market Harborough 15 miles from there. But the going was tough, Scott and Leslie were tired, and so was I, so Rory suggested we stop at his place he’s trying to rent out in Leicester. It took no convincing and I made dinner again. We seem to be a great team, all working together, what a strange concept - all meeting via the internet! I had a shower, and after emailing Kathryn, I crashed out at nine.

Note: At the end of each cycling day, especially for statisticians, I’ll include the total milelage for the trip so far, the day’s mileage, the average speed that day, and the time spent on the saddle that day. Today’s stats are as follows:

Total Miles: 56.57 Todays Miles: 56.57 Average speed: 12.1 Time on bike: 4:40

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Photos

Just Before the BIG OFF...
My local paper "The Sentinel" snapped this shot of us on Hillside Road outside my parent's house just before we set off. Leaving home was the most difficult part of the journey for me...

Mile Zero......
1st June, just after 9am, at my parent's home in Staffordshire - we start our trip to Singapore.

Burning the Boxes.
The night before we set off we ceremoniously burnt the bike-boxes to symolise 'No Return'.

The Sentinel
My local newspaper published a couple of articles to encourage sponsorship for the trip. I wanted to raise money for Children in Need or Cancer Research. But all charities distanced themselves from me with the line - "When your trip fails, we don't want to be associated with you"! So, Bollocks to them, let them beg elsewhere...

The Sentinel article #2
Another announcement - still not one company would help, not even to supply us with shirts to wear with their logo on!

Comments

[The Sushi Cowboy]

Starting from scratch
I've noticed your blog on the site for some time, and have read snippets here and there. Now I am finally sitting down and reading it from start to finish. I'll let you know when I'm done.

[china_by_bike]

I start reading today
I did the same. I started reading in china November last year. Then I red here and there.... Today I'll start from the beginning. In september I'will fly with my bike to china again.... I'll let you what's happen.