Details of the final day

For those following this blog from afar, please accept my apologies for the delay in posting this. Three days into the acclimatisation process and all I can say is it's going to take some time longer. But anyway; the final day.

As I cycled the two miles from my B&B to Boston branch I was contacted separately by both Rich (a fellow sufferer - err I mean supporter - of Northampton Saints) and Steve (husband of a work colleague) to say they couldn't find the branch! Fortunately the three of us left more or less on time - after some last minute jettisonning of items from rucksacks and panniers as we realised that Liz (Steve's wife) was going to drive a support vehicle for the journey. The wind was much milder than in recent days so the 35 flat miles to Grantham was thoroughly enjoyable. If you'd have driven past us you'd have been hard pressed to work out which one of us had been practising for 6 weeks (although Steve's lack of cleats and Rich's mountain bike tyres would have been the clue - neither seemed to impede them unduly).

The reception at Grantham was wonderful (large sign and balloons) - made more so by the fact that they've only been in the property for a week. The three of us cyclists were joined by John S (see the end of week 2 for details) and Samantha (another good friend). At one point on the road to Scraptoft, I was behind the others and seeing us all in the same Samaritans T-shirts (well nearly all - I'd messed up so we were one T-shirt short) I swelled with pride. These guys were doing this not in some small part for me.

For part of the route we'd stumbled across some other cycling event (possibly a time trial of some sort) so we encountered some suspicious, turning to curious looks from various marshalls as "Team Samaritan" all in green passed by. Although there were a few slopes to split the pack, we kept together pretty well and our timing was close to impeccable as we arrived at Scraptoft more or less exactly at 4:30pm.

I have no regrets about the tour but of course, with the benefit of hindsight, there'd be a few things I'd have done differently. One of which would have been the planning of the last 5 miles. These turned out to be just about the most difficult of all of them (certainly from a logistics point of view). I hope everyone's photos came out because I cannot adequately describe the scene at Scraptoft. But there must have been (including spectators) 50 people there.

In addition to the 5 cyclists so far, we were joined by work colleagues, Sam volunteer colleagues, friends, family and family of all of the above. Cyclists varied from young to old(er); some wore jeans some had child seats on the back and there was even one of those two seater child carts (propelled with admiral perserverence by Claire).

Then there was Lawrence (publicity) and Norma (director) in our new Samaritans van and of course Jeremy (responsible for so much that is good on this website). Jeremy decided not to cycle the 5 miles and instead to film it in progress. I hope someone has captured Jez lying prostrate along the folded down seats of his hatchback while his wife Jane drove along and prayed for no policemen to pass by.

The problem was that keeping such a group together was not easy and as I'd not bothered to explain the route in any detail to anyone else there was no-one at the back to keep everyone together. So we quickly lost two cyclists (mercifully they found their way to the branch) and there was more than one more stop for dropped chains etc. We also lost most of the vehicles driven by spectators; altogether not my finest hour. After doubling back twice (up hills that I'd promised, myself as well as everyone else, that we would only be going down) I was quite tired.

So, quite a bit later than the planned 5pm, we arrived to an even larger gathering of people at Elmfield Avenue. Various Sams had joined with Norma to make it a great homecoming with food and drink aplenty. Amidst the crowds it was all very touching.

It's going to take a long time for me to absorb what it all means but, for now and before people turn off, I'd like to finish by thanking everyone who has helped to make it happen.

Week Six: Day Seven

It's over and I've done it!

Wow - what a final day. I have so much to be grateful for and so many people to thank but it's late and I've come over rather tired so I think I'll keep this blog running a few more days so that I can say thank you to everyone properly.

But please know that all riders on the last day made it safely - as I say; more details to follow in the next couple of days.

And just to keep it consistent - Pre-tour estimated miles: 72
Actual miles: 74 (my digs were a couple of miles from the Boston branch)

Week Six: Day Six

A long and very involved day. I left Brid slightly later than planned and the strong southwesterly meant I was never going to make up much time. Hull branch was very welcoming in spite of their basement still waiting to be tackled some three weeks after the flood devastation - a reminder of why they need funds. Still - I left Hull in good condition.

Now, those of you who've been following this blog will know that I am prone to getting lost from time to time but surely not even I could fail to find the Humber Bridge; it's massive after all. Seeing it was no problem but I seemed to cycle under it three times before I finally found the toll-free cycle path. Worth it in the end though my photo skills don't do it justice (hence the reason for showing you me outside Hull branch rather than the more obvious photo op of the day).

It was on the way to Grimsby that I began to realise that a) I'd undercooked the estimated mileage for the day and b) I was going to arrive very late unless I got a wriggle on. So I took advantage of the westerly, tucked myself into a Bradley Wiggins style time-trial position and just pelted down the A180 dual carriageway doing 12 miles in just half an hour.

I still had a lot (50 miles) to do but the sun shone and I arrived safely in Boston (114 miles in total; my tour record) at 7:30pm - with all my thoughts on tomorrow; the last day.

Pre-tour estimated miles: 100
Actual miles: 114

Week Six: Day Five

A good morning today - crossed the Tees on the Transporter Bridge (pictured) at Middlesbrough (something I'd never done before).
But then ...just before Whitby it started to rain (sound familiar at all?) and it didn't stop all day.

Fortunately a good reception in the Middlesbrough, Scarborough and Bridlington branches helped to brighten the day.

Nearly there now! If you want to join me on Sunday then see the 'Final Day' page. We set off from Boston around 10am, Grantham around 1.30pm and Scraptoft around 4:30pm. Hope to see as many of you there as possible.

Pre-tour estimated miles: 80
Actual miles: 78

Week Six: Day Four

A quiet day and successful inasmuch as I managed to avoid the showers. The Tyne cycle tunnel (pictured) was a bit of a disappointment as it meant I missed some of the best scenery. This area is close to my old stomping ground as I used to swim around here but of course I still managed to get lost a couple of times.

Pre-tour estimated miles: 85
Actual miles: 91

Week Six: Day Three

Bernie (from Edinburgh branch) insisted I wear my Sams T-shirt for the occasion of the Forth Bridge.

Cycling across the Forth Bridge was a real highlight today. Everyone at Edinburgh was very friendly. Great weather as I made my way through the Borders and into the first chunk of Northumbria - even a tailwind as well. So as the journey nears its end things are looking good. The bike has a new rear tyre but unfortunately another water bottle has been lost along the way!

Pre-tour estimated miles: 90
Actual miles: 92

Week Six: Day Two

Really good day today with more good weather. We made good progress to Dundee, arriving at lunchtime so John had chance to shower and change at the very plush Dundee branch before being waved off on the train home (in case you're wondering whether John normally wears such clothes when on a bike). Big thanks to you John for the company and help over the last few days. I got a warm reception from the Kircaldy branch when I arrived in the evening. My last full day in Scotland today - the end is drawing nearer...

Pre-tour estimated miles: 95
Actual miles: 91