Currently sat in Mr Rob Berry's house after a slap up meal.
Charlotte joined us today and the cycling was good, Ellie and myself are really beginning to get to grips with the bike and Charlotte is a great asset to the team. The three musketeers! Very much looking forward to having Dave join us to complete the group.
We've been through the wars a bit so far.
Day One
Left with an entourage and a banner beautifully made by Ellie's mum. Was awesome to have Dave come down to see us out and take a cheeky peak at how we packed out kit which is a total nightmare. You will soon see Dave!
Hard slog really, Somerset has a lot of hills and we experienced our first 15% incline shortly followed by a 20%. Outrageous. Demoralising to know that we will be facing %25-30 in the Alps.
Ended up gate crashing a 40 and 70 year old birthday party in a hotel garden who proceeded to feed us, water us and give us lunch for the next day. Massive shout to them - and the Wilton Pembroke Arms who let us camp for free!
Day Two
Feeling pretty rough in the morning. Smashed a massive Weatherspoons breakfast in Salisbury (couldn't blag a discount - booooo!) I then threw half it up into in the River that runs adjacent. Upon leaving some unsuspecting punters had sat themselves in my mess... Hehe.
We learnt an important lesson - Road bikes aren't good off-road. Took what we believed to be a tidy little short-cut and got totally lost in a forest, for two hours. Emotional. A Hampshire forest lead to a corn field and we sorely emerged from a hedge to the dismay of passing motorists.
Ellie has had some run-ins with foliage, usually of the prickly bush like variety. Complaints of a very scratched arse, much to the amusement of myself.
In all fairness I was still laughing too hard to actually help her out at the point at the time that picture was taken.
"Oh no - not the puddle"
I can't reaffirm how heavy the bikes are so Ellie couldn't get it out - but once again I'm laughing to much to help immediately with her predicament.
Meet up with Charlotte and her boyfriend Ben, who's parents sorted us out with washing and food and beds!
Day Three
Great morning, 10 miles flew by and had our first pint by 11 and a donation from The Gamekeepers Arms, Mapledurwell. Happy days.
Drama, my bike rack broke, completely sheered off above the bolt under the pressure of the weight. OH THE WEIGHT! Each one of our panniers weigh between 9-12k, to the point where we can't pick up the bikes. Somewhat convenient, often leads to an extra pint at pub stops but generally a royal pain in the arse. A particularly vicious bump lead to the said breaking. Kit had to be distributed amongst the troops. Managed to struggle to a Bike shop in Fleet and get it sorted (Cheers to the guys for the advice / discount!)
Stopped at Sandhurst for some pictures, huge thanks to the security who let us in for the pictures and the donation!
(So what it was only the home of the Royal Army Medical Corps)
Eventually found Rob just south of Windsor, conveniently at another pub. After a pint, headed to his for a BBQ cooked expertly by his mother and father. Sorted out some kit and Ellie's dodgy gears. Shortly time for bed!
Bring on what Surrey has to offer - a River to follow. PAH!
Many many thanks to those who have sponsored us, through the website (www.justgiving.com/cyclebavaria) or along the way please see a list of acknowledgements below!
Pembroke Arms.
WhSmiths Salisbury (for opening early so we could get our hands on some OS maps - road maps don't show contours)
Old Lady that stopped us at Podimore roundabout and gave us a fiver.
Evans Cycles (for general support / love)
Ben and his family.
The Gamekeepers Arms.
Sandhurst Security (for taking photos of three sweaty smelly punters)
Rob and his family.
Doing well guys, keep it up!
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