And so, to the last day of cycling, and wow, what a day!
The scene in the camping barn resembled something from an ageing Sunday morning football team changing room; ointments and potions, supports for various parts of the body being applied, and masses of ibubrofen tablets being popped!!
Having had the obligatory team photo before leaving it was off onto the bikes and along the Pilgrims Way towards Gravesend to catch the ferry across the Thames. Today the support team were one short as Neil decided to join for the final push. The rest of the support team stayed on at the barn to clear away the empties from the night before!
With the sun shining, the scenery through the Kent countryside was beautiful, especially one field covered in red poppies. However, our opinions changed somewhat when we were confronted with a massive hill that reduced all of us to walking speed, literately.
After a short breather at the top it was on to Rochester at amazing speed. Arriving in the town, Steve T went off to source a part for his pedal whilst the rest of us took the opportunity to have a healthy breakfast of bacon and egg sandwiches at a local cafe.
Fully fuelled up it was off along the A20 towards Gravesend. As we are now all experts on tarmac and other road surfaces, we have come to the conclusion that the roads in this country are appalling compared to the surfaces in France. Most of us chose to avoid the “so called” cycle lanes and took our chances playing with the traffic.
We arrived in Gravesend at the ferry terminal with seconds to spare for the crossing to Tilbury. The skipper of the boat made a couple of phone calls and our passage across was given gratis. Special thanks to the Lower Thames and Medway Passenger Company for that.
Having disembarked in Tilbury it was off again through the Essex countryside. After three days of cycling we were beginning to look professional. We were cycling as a group and even had matching shirts on!
After a quick photo stop at South Ockenden fete with our colleagues from Essex Police, we made our way to The Queens Hospital at Romford. Waiting for us were the support team who had fought their way through traffic to get ahead of us. The ward sister from the neo natal unit where baby George was treated came out to me us. Members of the public showed interest in our arrival and a kind couple gave a donation to the cause. Sadly we didn’t get their names, but thank you, who ever you were.
It was then onto the final leg of the trip. Just for good measure the route took us up another couple of hills. At the top of the final hill whilst waiting for the traffic lights to change, just a couple of miles short of the finish, it dawned on most of us what we had achieved. Bearing in mind some of us hadn’t been on a bike in years and Syria, who had cycled only 30 miles maximum before starting in Paris; this was a massive achievement for all involved. We had contended with wind, torrential rain, burning sunshine, two punctures, a broken spoke and pedal, three or four of us falling off, 15 miles of diversions and wrong directions, some unbelievable snoring from Mr T, tendonitis, some painful nether regions, and the use of a hut for an emergency toilet for Sandy we had made it!!
As we were ahead of schedule and feeling extremely proud of ourselves we decided to have a swift half and debrief in the Ye Olde Kings Head in Chigwell before cycling the final 200 yards into the Chigwell Sports Club. This was a special moment and somewhat emotional one also. Enough said!
After being joined by DI Larry SMITH who met us in a marked Police car, the camper van decorated in Macmillan Cancer Support regalia, we made our way in convoy to the club. Entering behind the police car with twos and blues activated, we decided that Dan and Neil should lead us in, as this ride was about them and their families so it was only fitting that it should end with them.
Wow, what a greeting. A finish line had been put across the road held by some of our kids and with cheers and applause from friends and family we crossed the line.
Plenty of hugs and kisses all round and a well-deserved beer or three. Special thanks to Sue and Barney (Simon) Chapman who worked liked Trojans at the BBQ. To Tony Hopkins of Tonys’s Kitchen who provided the BBQ meat, thank you. Extra special thanks to Maura and her trusty camper van. We couldn’t have done it without her.
On behalf of the Barking Bloodhounds, to everyone who sponsored us, to those that sent good wishes and followed our antics on line, to those that stayed behind and organised the BBQ, to everyone who came out to meet and greet us, thank you so much.
