Far from a Long Drag - well done everyone!!

Well, this past week has most definitely not been a 'Long Drag!!' Although the day's were hard cycling along some very hilly roads, a great time was had by every member of the team.
The choice of the tandem to do the ride proved to be a good move. We were able to scoot along the roads at a fair old pace, which enabled us to get to our destinations ahead of schedule each day.

James was introduced to the best parts of England (Devon and Cornwall) where we played beach football at Hayle and took in the sights of Penzance, Watergate Bay and Mawgan Porth. Being in Devon and Cornwall we were guaranteed to have fine weather as it never rains back home!!!!!.

As we travelled along the A303 through Wiltshire, James was intrigued at the pile of granite rubble dumped along Salisbury Plain that hundreds of people seemed to be interested in!! Yes you guessed it - it was Stonehenge.

It's taken a long time to get all the preparations sorted for the ride but because everything was in place, accommodation, equipment and all the planning taken care of (police awareness and routes etc) everything went so smoothly thus making it a very enjoyable and not just worthwhile week.

My personal thanks goes out to the following people: Will Brown and the team at the Sandy Balls Cycle Centre Fordingbride; Halfords; Haven Holidays; TA Centres Bodmin, Exeter and Farnham; RNAS Yeovilton; AAC Middle Wallop; Sainsbury's; Tesco; Morrisons; Cashbox; all the personal donations people have made online and lastly to the team ... Nick, Brian, James and JJ.

We look forward to collating all the money collected through the ride and collecting other donations to add it to the Just giving total to see what our grand total raised will be. One thing I do know, Winston's Wish are delighted that we undertook this ride on their behalf and it's a pleasure to raise money for such a worthy cause.

Thankyou ..

London Calling

As we enter the final day of hard cycling, the team would like to thank the Farnham TA centre for allowing us to stay overnight, it was very comfortable. Cheers lads!

We set off from an Overcast Farnham at 8.30 am, with high spirits as the finish line was very much in sight.

As we headed down the A3, the old girl was flying. (The tandem wasn't doing too bad either!) We crossed the Thames at Chelsea bridge and headed east past the Tate Modern and on to Parliament Square. We had noticed that the tree-huggers had set up camp outside the Houses of Parliament ready for the G20 protests tomorrow. It was reported on the radio that the Met had drafted in some extra 2500 Police officers to deal with the protesters and the Long Drag Team.

After Parliament Square the team became somewhat lost, with a rough idea of the London roads I managed to find my way to Buckingham Palace and onto Wellington Barracks. Unfortunately the same couldn't be said for JJ, James, Wayne and Nick.

James and JJ travelled up and down the Mall more times than the Queen during her reign as Head of State. Nick and Wayne managed to get to Buckingham Palace, only to get bombarded by tourists wanting photos and a kiss from Nick. Even Liz herself was spotted peering over the balcony to see what all the fuss was about.

Eventually the team were re-united at Wellington Barracks and then proceeded to Westminster, spreading cheer as they went as they headed towards the Battle Of Britain Memorial. At the Memorial, James read out a citation that he had researched about a pilot from New Zealand who survived the war and later went on to be a Station Commander at RAF Odiham. What a moving and fitting tribute the memorial is to all the brave men and women of the RAF who gave their lives so willingly. The long lists of name sums up the sacrifice's made.

As we made our way back to Wellington Barracks, we posed for more photos with some of the tourists and members from the Big Bus Tour Company (thanks for your support guys).

Well now the Long Drag is over and the team head home for a well earned rest. It just leaves me to thank all the people who have sponsored us be it financially or providing kit. A special thank you goes to the team down at the Sandy Balls Cycle Centre, the tandem was excellent much better than we could have hoped for. Guys you've done us proud! Although the ride may be over you can still sponsor us at www.justgiving.com/seflongdrag

That looks familiar

Its that way Blue.

Has anyone seen Buckingham Palace round here?

Smile Girls!

Not to Far-nam to go now.

Despite a cold, wet morning at Middle Wallop, we were able to collect lots of money for Winstons Wish. So a big thank you to all the staff at Middle Wallop who kindly donated to help raise the total.

Prior to the ride starting a quick game of corridor football commenced. All was going well as the Odiham all stars showed off their silky skills with the ball, then all of a sudden the contractors working downstairs cranked up their wireless so we could all listen to some crazy jazz/hip hop music. At this point James dropped to the floor and started busting some moves, this caused Wayne to kick the ball straight at Nick who threw his coffee all over JJ ruining his polyester T shirt. (The T shirt had been freshly pressed that morning in preparation for the days ride.)

As the day progressed, the weather seemed to improve resulting in us arriving in Farnham at 14.00hrs. As we cycled along the route to Farnham we spotted 6 dead badgers 3 squirrels and a flattened pheasant.

Spot the ball

He's gagging for it.

Not me mate, airframes.

I'm thirty, flirty and extremely dirty!

What you looking at ya poof!

Crash, Bang, Wallop!

Before we go any further the team would like to take the opportunity to thank all the personnel at RNAS Yeovilton for all their generous donations, I'm sure this will make a massive impact on the total amount of money raised.

Talking of impacts, we had some clown in a Mercedes sprinter van who was to busy yakking on his phone to notice all the warning lights on the Galaxy warning of the slow moving tandem. Luckily the Safe Style driver (you know the one, you buy one, you get one free) decided to undertake Nick on the grass verge, rather than a rear-ender.

In a fairly uneventful day, the team arrived at AAC Middle Wallop well ahead of Schedule. As usual the Army offered a warm welcome, cold running water. Thankfully the gym had hot water and we could all have a hot shower.

After a burger and a beer for £4 in good old weatherspoons (Wayne had the gourmet burger), we returned to Middle Wallop for an early night. Thanks to the Army for putting up with us tonight, hopefully we can raise some more funds on the gates in the morning

Tomorrow we head for Farnham as we return to familiar soil, so check back for an update.

A'llo sailor

Another early start brought cheer to the masses in Exeter as Wayne and Nick were waving their hands (Nick his sausages) and ringing their bell to anyone who dared to look. Wolf Whistles could be heard from burly road workers, even a few confused locals could not take their eyes off Nicks posterior; Derty Betches!

The highlight of the day for Wayne was stepping back into 1984, when he saw a young lady in Exeter who looked as if she had just stepped out of a Duran Duran video.

As the miles were crunched and we headed into Somerset, some locals became less than amused. One individual was that unhappy, clearly running late for the start of her shift at McDonalds, she decided to pull along side myself and JJ and give us a piece of her mind. I could not help but be dazzled from the midday sun, reflecting off her lonely single star name tag. If only she could adopt a more friendly attitude, I'm sure more stars would be awarded and one day she could crack eggs and maybe even a smile. On the plus side another passer-by in a H reg Austin Montego Countryman (in British Racing Green) thrust out his hand and passed James a fiver for the cause. Good on you fella!!!

We eventually arrived at Yeovilton early afternoon much to the delight of several matlows who cheered and whistled, clearly amused by the spectacle of blokes dressed as birds. They thought we were mental when we decided to go for a game of football and were dazzled by our silky soccer skills.

Thanks to everyone at RNAS Yeovilton for their hospitality putting us up for the evening and allowing us to collect on the Main Gate tomorrow morning.

Check back tomorrow for updates of day four, RNAS Yeovilton - AAC Middle Wallop 55 miles

Hello Fellas, like what you see?

Ere, what time is it blueski?

The Longest Day

An early start at 07.30 hrs from Bodmin saw us get on the A30 and miss the manic, morning dash that is the morning rush hour.

The early good work was nearly spoilt by a Boring, Middle-aged, W****r, yes you guessed it the good old BMW driver. In typical BMW style he decided to under-cut the tandem, after running out of slip road.

Not to be deterred by this, James (Flying Scotsman) & JJ (Brighton's Bitch) decided to put the pedals to the metal and clocked up a new event record of 45mph, only for the BMW driver to change gear and get away.

On entering Exeter the locals decided to show us a few customs, including lighting up an old dog-end found on the street and modeling the latest candy floss hair style, even the lookie-likie Yoko Ono cycled past singing her latest song Imagine. This evening we were all treated to a tour of the highlights of Exeter by Nick, hence to say it took all of 2 minutes. Luckily we came across a pub and had a great meal courtesy of the RAF (we love JPA) Thanks to the staff here at the Exeter TA centre for letting us overnight in their accommodation, cheers fellas. Well another day over time to give the old girl a good going over and the tandem a quick lube up enjoy the photos more to follow tomorrow. (depending on 3G connection)

First Day Of Hell

An early morning start at the Haven site in Hayle before the drive down to Lands End. Waiting there was a few seagulls a passing tumbleweed, Simon and Thomas. We started off at a right old pace, cut up a few locals and made a right impression on the population of Penzance. After Parading up and down the promenade several times, Old “Francis Drake” Pedler finally got back on track and we continued to make good time down the A30.
Next on the Bike of dreams was James and Nick “Smiling Fag”. They got into such a rhythm (At the Copacabana) that they even managed a pose whilst passing through a 30mph speed camera at 40mph, luckily Nick managed a “Hollywood” smile and bounced the flash back, blinding the occupants of an Austin Maestro.
Brian would like to personally thank the lady who offered him a tenner in a lay-by; this was a milestone, as he has never been offered money before. He didn’t even have to flash the lights, he’s so cheap!
Having arrived in Bodmin ahead of schedule, the team headed to RAF St Mawgan for a well-deserved hot meal and a nice cold beer.
Tune in tomorrow same time, same place for an update…….