Day 9: Cardiff to Cirencester

Day 9: Cardiff to Cirencester

As I begin to write this blog post the cyclists are currently stretching out from a long tough ride. As funny as it is to watch them wince as they try to touch their toes and Hannah saying she needs something to grab to pull her stretching out.

It has been a tough day, from crossing fences carrying bikes to having to walk up rocky roads with the bikes on their backs the riders have done it all as well as their 100 mile cycle.  It started with a grey day in Cardiff, where a large breakfast (not counting Mike who of course ate as much as the rest of the team put together) and Katie who ate a record six Weetabix ready for what looked to be a challenging ride. Three “badboy” hills (as described by Captain Trev) were there to dominate the satnav as the route was double checked and the RV’s put in place.

Moving smoothly through Wales the team were off to some of the RSM’s ‘inspirational’ music so they were off to a roaring start out of the gates of Wales OTC TA centre. Through the streets of Cardiff they streamed to the gazes of perplexed passers-by. One plus point of being the first team in this time-trial race is to be the primary team in every location; so their confusion is always amusing for the support team to witness.

Onto the first RV, a small layby in the Forest of Dean saw the rain increase and the introduction of a very welcome set of visitors.  Alex’s mum and dad appeared with his grandmother bearing two different kinds of cake, amazing brownies and some award-worthy fridge cake (made with Cadbury Chocolate nonetheless!). As we waited for the team to arrive, as the minibus arrived and we realised just how similar Alex and his Dad looked it was just looking down the soaked road to see when the team would come streaming in.

It wasn’t long before they appeared with rain streaked smiles which widened upon the visage of cake that awaits them. After wolfing down said cake to muffled compliments it wasn’t long until they were off to go and tackle the hills- this time on British soil. As the team disappeared it came to us to start discovering a new RV point, this time further into Gloucestershire as we waved goodbye to Alex’s parents and thanked them again for their support.

The RV wasn’t too difficult to find and we couldn’t really provide a sound system for the team as the roads were simply too busy, however it did mean we were at the RV- a pub in Seven Springs in Gloucestershire with a large car park that was perfect for our purposes. The Adjutant and our new driver to replace CSM Tuffs arrived, with the Adjutant’s dog in tow which promptly provided a distraction for the support staff who were waiting for the riders to arrive.

Whilst the RSM was waiting on the road in his luxurious hi-vis he received a phone call from the team who were insistent that they didn’t need the second RV point- it was only 18 miles to the finish line so they were going to press on. Much to the shock and awe of the support team so it meant that they were cycling about 40 miles without even a water break.

So it fell to us to motor straight to the finish line, with only a brief slow period to blast out more encouraging music. Moving to the base in Cirencester, whilst walking a dog trainer the team came streaming in. Finally for a brief cool down they cycled to the accommodation. The actual stretching session was the point of hilarity for all concerned as Emma seemed to lose all circulation in her hands and feet and resembled a zombie-like pallor.

However the team seemed in high spirits even finding the energy to mime out a skipping rope with Trev and Rob acting as the jumpers. It’s the last but one day of the challenge, and only 100 miles Is in the way before returning to London.

Please show your support on facebook, twitter and to the team members for this final push.