HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROCK!!

Before we get to the day, just a big shout out to Sandra (we know you'll be reading this) whose helping hands after a tired day on the road worked just great and we all felt 100% better for the time you spent on calves, quads, it bands, achilles etc. However it would still be a late dinner, andcwe all agreed to the early start - 7am, wheels rolling (ok.....7.45......ish).

So, what could a group of close bike guys do for their best cycling mates birthday - of course, buy him a big breakfast! So here's the team enjoying a big brekky in Tiverton town centre (have also included a second photo of him in close up - i did ask him to smile for the camera but he said "sorry mate am eating.....".) I don't know what had got into the team today, maybe it was the joy of celebrating Brock's b'day, maybe it was Sandra's healing hands, or maybe it was the Bob Martin I put in everyones water bottle, but the ride started with real energy as we followed Jim out of the hotel and directed by the "stat nav" in completely the opposite direction (not the riders fault). Quickly things were resolved and we were on our way. I did say "we" on purpose as I decided to give the ankle a ride out. It could have been Amjad's and Sandra's healing hands, it could have been my dogged determination, it could have been a deep desire to avoid another day in the van with Jim's jokes, but I was riding again.....it felt good, even if it took a good 20mins to start to believe it was achievable.

We powered into Devon, and the hills of Dartmore beckoned - no doubt this time, it was "all up hill from here". But the sun was out, the wind was down and the scenery was, well a bit like North Bolton - very hilly. "Macho macho man" was Brock's war cry; "What goes up, must come down" was Ste's; "Swing low" was Jim's as we hit the hills like a team - perfect. Unfortunately, we also got the bypass for 20miles, but soon we were back on the back roads and in Cornwall as we gave it one last drive to the hotel.....the plan was to arrive at 6pm - we got there at 6.00pm! The hotel was great, and an outside bar, coupled to Mark's 50th, that we had arrived on time, that we hadn't got lost, that team was back together, required some immediate liquid attention.

But this day belongs to Mark - and Jogle8 wanted to help him celebrate. The goody bag presented contained a pint pot, a four pack of Guiness, and a hand made Italian Bike saddel. We all sang Happy Birthday before retiring to the restaurant for a well earned dinner - except for Chris whoe's steak order missed the chef closing down the grill. Grumpy's complaints were assuaged when a lasagne was brought to the table FOC! Actually 2 FOC lasagnes arrived as Geoff, Chris's mate who had just arrived after driving down from t'north to join the last days ride was afforded the same complimentary service.....nice.

We decided to be sensible.......! We still have some miles to ride, and a lunch at The Lands End Hotel had been arranged by Uncle Jim, so it's a 7am wheels turning start to the last day so Brock's birthday celebrations will have to wait untill tommorow - that means the daily Blogg might be published a little late.........!!!

It's been a great day for so many reasons, but bed beckons.

But timely to say that we did this to raise money, and as of today we are passed the £25k point, with gift aid probably nearer £27k, so the end is in sight in so many ways - brilliant!

Stats for the day - 102.8 miles ridden; 7hrs 40mins in the saddle; road time 10hrs 38mins; average speed 13.3mph Punctures - 0; Falling off - 0; times lost - 0, injuries improving........seems like we've finally got this right. Shame we haven't got the time to ride back!!!

Brandon