Sunday 9th May:
Set off for the Sports Centre where the whole trip is starting from. Had to be there for 8am. There were loads of photoshoots with us all wearing our sparkling new t-shirts. Lots of hugs and kisses all round and then at 9am we were set off on our way by my daughter with a klaxon. Just before set off I realised I had left my waterproof at home so Peter agreed to get it and catch up with us.
We were just getting into our 'stride' when Hailey had a problem with her bike. As it happened it was almost at the top of our road but I didn't have keys to get in. Peter, meanwhile, had problems with the car and was stuck at the Sports Centre.
Off we went again and we had gone a fair few miles when I changed gear incorrectly and lost my chain. Thankfully I had watched how someone else had put it back on previously so was able to do it in a jiffy and we were back on the road again in no time.
Eventually Peter rang me to see how far we had got. When I told him we were about 9 miles from Snaith (half way point) he nearly choked. He caught up with us about three miles after that and I was re-united with my waterproof.
We carried on to the pub at Snaith and had our sandwiches and a coffee then set off again. This is when I first started feeling tired. I took an energy gel but did wonder if I would make it to Hull.
Then things started to get a bit silly. Peter (not my Peter) zoomed off in front of our group and Hailey was having problems with her hamstrings (and thong I believe). Peter lost us. Richard stayed back with Hailey until the van picked her up. We stopped, Mike fell off his bike. Mark's wheel bearings went so he elected to go on Hailey's bike to finish the ride. The Sports group passed us and left James with us (17 year old who had done no training as he thought the whole thing would be a doddle) as he couldn't keep up with them.
All these little stops were quite good by now as it meant you could get blood circulating in parts that aren't talked about too much!!!
Eventually we were nearing Hull but coming through Hessle we were shouted and sworn at by a car passenger who didn't seem to think bikes should be allowed on the road as we don't pay tax!!! Dean, by this time, was seriously flagging but he didn't give up and completed the ride into the docks area.
A bit of confusion reigned over rooms but we got sorted. Showered, changed and socialised during the evening. 77.2 miles done today. Was sharing a cabin with Carla and Hailey and we were chatting for ages after we went to bed.
Monday 10th May:
It was Richard, our support rider's birthday today. We had to be down for breakfast at 6.30am and the time is one hour ahead of England so in effect we were up at 5am our time.
We got off the boat, sorted ourselves out and set off out of Europoort. Within a mile Hailey had knee problems and pulled out of that day's ride. Richard held back with her until the van came back to pick her up.
It was cold but not wet thankfully although it was overcast. Richard tried to catch up with us but didn't so got on the van to meet us further along. The van and ourselves were supposed to meet at a certain place but they couldn't find us so the break at 28 miles became a lunch break at 35 miles. Mike started stressing and complained we were going to slowly. He started his threats of making us go on the van if we didn't speed up.
At one point were were cycling along a country lane when Mike, our esteemed leader suddenly jumped off his bike, threw it down and ran off shouting something indistinct. Mark who was behind him repeated the process and I was next but didn't now what was happening so just stopped to find out.
Mike had spotted three half grown lambs who had got their head stuck through plastic mesh fencing and had fallen into a dyke. One was upside down and drowning. He jumped straight into the dyke and retrieved the upside down lamb before shouting for a knife to get the mesh off of it.
Mike our hero
By this time the farmer had come running across the field wondering why all these lunatic cyclists were peering into his dyke while one was splashing around in there.
Mike freed the three and passed them up to the farmer before being pulled free of the mud himself. The farmer offered him a shower but Mike declined saying we were already late. He jumped back on his bike and pedalled off again, we gave him a head start!!!
I started feeling tired and slogged on for a while but was getting further behind and knew that Dean and I were slowing the group down. I decided to get on the van at 62.5 miles and so did Dean. My quads were aching but not screaming.
The Sports group got lost and ended up doing 112 miles into Arnhem but our group also got lost and the vans were despatched to pick them up eventually. Peter and Phil had both joined the Sports group today and enjoyed themselves.
We stayed in a Best Western Hotel this evening, very nice. I know there was some hard negotiating went on to get a good price here. I was sharing with Hailey and Carla had a room of her own.
The Leisure group all went down the road to The Robin Hood bar for a meal and a few drinks. No idea what time we went to bed but it was late.
Tuesday 11th May:
Up at 6am, we got our breakfast in the hotel and then got our bikes prepped and ready to go. We set off at 9am, got lost getting out of Arnhem. We had to find the war memorial so that a couple of the ex-service guys could lay a poppy corsage there. I rang my daughter, Isobel, while we were stopped and we sang Happy Birthday to her.
Laying the poppy corsage in Arnhem
It was cool and overcast again and James pulled out of the ride at 16 miles. For a young lad he complains a lot. We were going uphill, but not steeply, for most of the day but we had a head wind. We spotted the Sports groups bikes outside a posh bakery/cafe place and ploughed on. This was quite a hard day because of the wind but we eventually got to a point where we had a break and during this time the Sports group caught up with us and were amazed that we were in front.
We had lunch at 44.5 miles and Dean decided he couldn't battle on any further. I felt okay to carry on but it started raining to add to the uphill and head wind problems. Thankfully it didn't rain for long. We went up a dual carriageway, that was quite scary as vehicles were papping their horns at us. It was legal for us to be on there though but we pedalled fast to get it over with asap.
Mike and Mark got their heads down and disappeared into the distance literally, while John, John, Richard and I were miles behind. At the next stop I decided enough was enough for today as the speed had increased again and having got quite lost the end wasn't in sight again. I had done 60 miles by then.
CARLA, one of our support drivers, having a bit of a stretch.
However the van then got horribly lost despite (or because of) the Sat Nav. We kept seeing the Sports Group who were also lost. We all re-grouped and James, Dean and myself got back on the ride again and we rode into Hamm together. We found the Youth Hostel in a woodland with lakes, wonderful. I had done 69.75 miles today.
The Youth Hostel in Hamm
The Germans laid on a small buffet and some beer and we had a good laugh, swapped stories etc. Got to bed at 1.50am.
At the Youth Hostel
A little bit of magic
John Snr, Not dead, just resting
Wednesday 12th May: A Day Off!
Despite it being a day off we were up at 7.30am for breakfast. We were picked up by minibus and taken to the Rathaus (Town Hall) to the Bradford City Fire Memorial (yesterday was the 25th anniversary of the Fire Disaster). Photos, speeches and a laying of flowers. We were then shown around some voluntary work offices and then taken to a Steakhouse for lunch. The Germans did us proud that's for sure, free lunch, free booze.
The Bradford City Fire Memorial in Hamm
The Oberbergermeister of Hamm
Carla, Mark, James and myself took a taxi to the swimming pool. The guys went off back to the hostel to get their swimming gear and Carla and I went swimming. It was a lovely pool, salt water but not unpleasantly salty. It was outdoor but heated. After that we tried the slides and the hot and cold plunge pools. Then back to the hostel.
We were picked up again by our hosts in minibuses. This time we went to the zoo. The trip ended with a barbecue, once again, eat as much as we wanted and free booze.
A little pussycat at the zoo
Our German hosts gave us all a blue hand towel embroidered with a white elephant and the words Stadt Hamm on them.
Back to the hostel and half went out again while the other half played card games, drank and laughed an awful lot.
Carla, Hailey, Jan and myself were altogether in one room this time. We were talking late into the night when there was a knock at the door. John boy, wrapped in his quilt asked if there was anywhere nearby that he could sleep as the phenomenal snoring from his room was keeping him awake. He ended up sleeping in our shower room.
Thursday 13th May:
An early start again but today we were getting our bikes prepped and then they were going on a trailer at the back of a coach. We were taken all but 30 or so miles from Utrecht, 6km from Oosterbeke. Everyone, except Mike and myself, fell asleep on the coach. I have the photos to prove it!
Dean looking like a condemned man (maybe he was)
We were dropped off and the Sports group disappeared very quickly. We stopped to look at a war-time drop zone (again, for the ex servicemen more than anything). Then off we went again. Peter is a keen photographer so he cycled off ahead and perched himself so that he could take photos of us. However this proved to be his undoing eventually as he got behind us took the route that we were supposed to do and we missed it so lost him. He was picked up by the van who met up with the Sports group and he carried on with them.
We eventually slid into Utrecht in the evening having done 37.43 miles. There was rubbish everywhere and we were surprised by this as Holland, generally, is a delight. Then we discovered the bin men had been on strike for three weeks!
This time we were in a backpackers type hostel. Us four females were sharing again. Someone nipped out, did a recce and found a place that could cope with all 21of us at the same time. It was a Greek/Italian place and boy, did we manage to confuse him. The owner gave me a bottle of wine to take home with me. No idea why as I am probably the lightest drinker of the bunch.
Then some of us went back to the Strowis and coffees and chat ensued. I do know that one or two people went to a 'funny' coffee shop that didn't sell coffee! When the rest turned up there was some guitar strumming and singing going on but nothing too raucous. To bed again about 12.30am where Jan and I chatted on for some time.
Peter strumming away
Friday 14th May:
Fairly basic but sufficient breakfast was downed by us all after we had all checked and cleaned our bikes. We set off after the Sports group at about 9.15am. We had to negotiate our way out of Utrecht town centre at rush hour. Rush hour, of course, meant bikes going in all directions at all speeds and we were confused as to which way we were going.
After a few false moves we managed to get out of the urban area and we crossed a bridge that spanned the river. This is where the first puncture of the day happened. James tried to change it quickly while Mike worked out which way we were going next.
James mending a puncture
Off we went again and a bit later there was another puncture or rather two. While we were waiting for them to be repaired the lads were eyeing up the pretty girls on bikes until one gave Dean a 'loser' sign. He was gutted but of course we rubbed it in for the rest of the day.
We were on a fast flat route today and we were going at a good pace as we had a ferry to catch. That is until we came to another bridge but it was closing as we arrived to lift up and let water traffic through. That was interesting to watch. Then we carried on again until we got to a cafe where the support team were waiting. A delightful coffee was consumed and some sandwiches etc and then we went on a little ferry that took about two minutes to get to the other side.
The Little Ferry
The views today were stunning. Just as you imagine Holland to be, beautiful waterside houses, windmills etc. The sun was shining too, making it a perfect day really. We were all in good spirits and there was a lot of banter going on.
Typical view for me!
We got to another bridge that was closing this time the middle section raised vertically to let the boats through. Then we were off again.
We came across the sports group who were just recovering from a pile up. Someone had gone over their handlebars but wasn't badly hurt just shook up. We carried on again and came through parkland and alongside the river. This is where the next surprising thing happened.
We had a short stop for a breather when Mike announced that if we could raise £30 there and then, then he would jump in the river.
Like father....
....Like son!
Mike isn't known for his frivolity so money was hastily agreed upon and Mike stripped to his undershorts. He walked along a jetty and jumped in!!!
Mike about to jump in the River
We were only about 5 miles from the port by then but he got dressed and once again carried on his way. What a guy! We also decided to ride in box formation partly for a laugh and partly to help us weaker riders.
The last few miles were quite hard going really. We'd had a head wind again for quite some time but we were now starting to flag. Dean was seriously flagging but I kept telling him and myself that we could do it. Our muscles were aching after the best part of a week of cycling.
We pulled into the port to find the Sports group at the nearest bar consuming copious amounts of falling down liquid. After lots of jokes, photos and ribbing we loaded our bikes and went and checked in for the return journey. 79.07 miles done today.
After a wonderful meal onboard the ferry we all met up again in the Irish bar for a few speeches. The girls on the support van had been doing a survey of the shapeliest bottoms in each group. So they announced the runners up and winners and a small prize was awarded. In our group Dean came third, I came second and Richard, the support rider was the winner. I was chuffed to bits as I didn't think I had a chance. Lots of chatting until late again before Carla and I went to our room to find Hailey virtually comatose.
Strange to think that after tonight we probably won't be together as a group again apart from an odd socialising event. We are a group of people that come from different backgrounds, ages etc but apart from James annoying several people we all got on very well. There was no sniping or backbiting or moaning (apart from a few curses at the snorers).
Saturday 15th May:
Got a bit of a lie in this morning as the clocks went back to BST. Down for breakfast at 7am and there was a lovely view from where we were sat. The sea was flat and the sun was shining.
We all got sorted and packed and off the ferry asap. Re-united once again with our trusty steeds we set off for the last day of cycling back to Bradford. Dean and I agreed we weren't looking forward to it as every muscle seemed to ache before we even started and we knew there were a lot of hills today. Sod's law meant we once again had a head wind sometimes quite a strong one too. John boy, John snr and Peter all tried helping by shielding me from the wind.
We ploughed on until we got to Snaith which is about halfway. Mike gave me 'the stare' and asked if I was alright. I admitted I was tired but not ready to give up yet. Dean however gave in and got on the van. He was nearly sick with tiredness by this time. I am so proud of him as despit doing little in the way of training he ploughed on a lot longer than I expected him to on the journey. James had already got on the van at the first morning break.
We set off again, the hills were hard and after a long climb I was way behind the rest. They waited at the top and Mike surprisingly said we'd only got 22 miles left and no more long hills. I disagreed as I knew the route from here and knew there was a lot of climbing. A little further on we met up with the van for a refreshment break and that's when I decided to get on the van. I was really tired and knew I would hold the others up.
As I went to get on the van, Dean was going to get off and re-join the group but I warned him that this was the worst part. We got a lift for about 7 miles and then waited for the group to get to the top of the hill. We re-joined at this point.
On we ploughed with an occasional idiot throwing abuse at us. We had just crossed a really nasty roundabout when 'off the back' was heard. Richard had a puncture. We carried on up the bypass and met up with the Sports group at a pub on the outskirts of Bradford. We all changed into our team t-shirts. High spirits abounded but we all re-mounted and carried on.
As we got to the top of Westgate Hill, near where I live, I saw our Land Rover parked on the grass with a 'congratulations' banner held aloft by Isobel. Lots of waves and on we went.
We had a van at the front, a van at the back and we all rode into the Sports centre grounds together. James and I were at the front as we did a lap of honour. Lots more hugs and kisses and meeting up with family and friends. Then we had photos taken and a buffet and lots of tale telling went on. 67.35 miles done today. My personal total therefore was 393.30 miles.
That was hard work but what a fantastic time we had. Roll on 2012 when hopefully I will do it all again. Must train even harder next time especially on them there hills.
A really BIG, BIG thank you to all who sponsored me. It's what makes it all worthwhile after all.
A tired but happy team
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