FINAL DAY

Day 10 and the aftermath

Day 10 began at Duke of Gloucester barracks in Cirencester, with the team gearing up for what would be the final 100 miles of the journey ending in Northwood Barracks in Watford, London. Pre-emptive mint-ease was applied, clif bars were primed and bananas and bagels prepped so that by 9 am the entire team was lined up on the start point and ready to blast the last leg.

Riders took a deep breath and off they were to the sounds of my personal favourite song which the RSM insisted on it being played at least three times a day. Whether it was for the team’s morale or the suffering of my eardrums I’m not entirely certain. They sprinted off into the distance, and without the threat of another 100 miles for the day after they could really give this last leg all their energy. With tired legs, sore backs and a few mysterious blisters on Katie’s elbow this would take their bikes and bodies to the limit but there was still smiles on all the team’s faces even with an early wakeup. Without CSM Tuff’s boisterous happy starts to the day it seemed slightly too quiet in the morning and with the faint drizzle the final day’s weather wasn’t off to as optimistic start as some of the riders.

Swiftly into Gloucestershire, moving to Hertfordshire it became swiftly apparent that the riders really were pouring their all into this last day as the recces of the RV points became a race against time to make sure we were ready for them. The first RV, a garden centre car park was lit up with sunshine as we arrived and this only increased for the rest of the day. With the sun shining, the riders pulled in, with a slightly leopard like comedic spattering of mud on all their faces. Of course the usual front runners, Mike and Rob were mysteriously clean whereas Emma and Hannah seemed to have covered themselves deliberately for the level of clean skin was far outweighed by the muddy.

They consumed cake and clif bars in quick order and it wasn’t long before they had mounted their bikes and moved off again. The sunshine had boosted everyone’s mood and the Welsh cake was finally consumed so Anna could stop going to supermarkets and hunting for the most morale lifting cake she could find. Moving onto the second RV, in the clown command vehicle we received several phone calls from the other vehicles telling us the team were moving a lot faster than expected and could we please hurry up and find the RV because they were scared the team would outpace us.

The trust old standby of lay by’s became the last RV, just before Hannah’s home town of Tring, and it was merely minutes before the team came cycling in, and with Anna on hand to stick some much needed mintease on tired knees and backs they only refilled their water bottles, ate a quick sandwich and were off again for the final part of the final leg of their 1000 miles.

Then it was to us to move swiftly to Northwood camp, where we were once again given a warm welcome and waited eagerly for the team’s arrival. Both Zoe’s sister and Hannah’s father arrived to cheer them on as they pulled in looking muddy, tired but overwhelmingly pleased to have finished what all can agree was a monumental challenge but something all the team could be proud to say they contributed to.

A final ‘hang-time’ and smashing of maximuscle recovery drink meant that the team had at least the last bit of energy to take a finishing photo and then move to the minibus to make our way back to Cambridge.

Moving in the clown car, we managed to get lapped by the minibus and subsequently came back to a team who were getting ready for a celebratory night out at a local Chinese restaurant. Surprisingly Mike didn’t eat his weight in food but a good time was had by all and afterwards the team celebrated in style. Unfortunately I went to bed earlier than them so journalistic integrity prevents me from telling the general public what they got up to. All I know is that there was some skipping with a rope made of glowsticks.

The morning of oxford return dawned bright and early (too early for some) and we moved leisurely to the minibus to welcome their return and receive the results of the challenge. After a brief journey to London, where I’m sure the RSM felt the loss of the Fiat 500 deeply we arrived to see Oxford had already cycled to the finish line. After congratulations and comparison of injuries were shared we moved to receive results.

Although Cambridge didn’t win, we all received some very nice medals and the RSM was given a celebratory bottle of gin to enjoy without the smell of mintease.

The challenge may be over but the reason to donate is the same. Please don’t forget how much our riders went through, with Captain Trev, 2IC Rich and Rider Mike having cycled the full 1,000 miles and Katie and Rob not far behind on 950. Combat Stress and ABF need all the donations you can spare, not to mention the team really appreciate any money you can donate.

A huge thanks goes to the team, all the support staff and all those who turned up en route to cheer them on. It lived up to its name as a challenge but the team couldn’t have done it without Team Manager RSM David Shaw’s efforts. From someone who observed him all week, the effort and time he put in before and during the challenge was tantamount to its success.

Await an update with a link to follow all the pictures of the challenge. 

Thank you for reading,

Rosalie.