The Big Ride Blog: Part 7
Discovery’s competition winner Andrew reflects on his Cycle Slam experience.
In his last blog Discovery’s competition winner Dr Andrew Moore reflects on what it was like to cycle alongside Flintoff and Dallaglio on Cycle Slam 2012…
3rd May 2012. Day 5
I was up early this morning and left my newfound friends as they slept so as to catch my train to Pisa and plane to Manchester.
Last night was a rather more subdued than I’d been expecting. I can’t help feeling that this stage took more out of the riders than anyone expected.
I can’t imagine how the core-riders will be able to saddle up and carry on tomorrow for another three stages – they certainly have my admiration for that.
It’s been the trip of a lifetime. The cycling speaks for itself – riding along the Italian Riviera and on some Strada Bianchi, through the Apennine mountains and Tuscan vineyards.
The rain, the heat and the punctures. It all adds up to a cyclists dream trip but there was so much else besides.
The evenings spent eating and drinking with new friends. Dallaglio’s fines and Flintoff’s one-liners.
Overall though, the most enduring memory will be of the bonds forged between people overcoming such a task. My teammates were incredible - Mike and Les took a group of strangers and had them riding like old friends within half a day.
Hywel climbed like a true grimpeur and Simon smashed out mile after mile on the front, in the wind, like a super-domestique.
Though the prize though has to go to Dave. He rode classily all week and when his knees gave up, he did not – it really summed it all up.
Chapeau to my teammates and fellow riders but especially those with another 1500km to go. See you in two years…
Related Links:
Flintoff and Dallaglio's Big Ride
Link to donate
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