Bristol to Weymouth

This was a big decision.  There were several options:

• Go home
• Stay in Bristol and wait for Jake's ankle to be passed fit
• Take the train to Yeovil or Weymouth
• Cycle regardless of the advice

At the hospital, Jake had really wanted to cycle, it was almost more of a shock to be told he couldn't than to have the accident.  

In the hotel room, the team were very down.  All options were visited and dismissed.  

We were NOT going to cycle.  Going home to rest was seen as the most depressing option. Stay put or move on?

We had commitments to lots of people in Weymouth, 2 schools, 1 venue, a major sponsor photo shoot and a local newspaper.

Distance 82 miles Bristol to Weymouth.  

Decision:  Take the train to Weymouth (either revisit the stages later in the ride OR make up the distance later in London).

Jake reflecting the mood of the whole team.
It is the right decision but sitting on the train was not
good for morale. 

The day's cycling destination
as seen from the train.

Bikes travelling down to Weymouth

Having bought the tickets, the team were informed that we couldn't reserve places for the bikes.  It was 'pot luck' - no more than 4 bikes on the 2 carriage train.  Tension was high.  Once on the train, everyone felt calmer.  With time to reflect, we knew we were doing the right thing.

WE WILL MAKE UP THE DISTANCE!

The scenery on the way down was great, we also had a great travelling companion Bath to Bruton in Rowenna Seddon.  Arrival at The Fairhaven Hotel became a magical mystery tour of lifts, twists, turns and dead ends before finding our room and then a repeat in reverse as we went off to the Community Hospital.

Another late night in the Minor Injuries Unit became a real positive end to the day.  Kate looked after Jake brilliantly - we were all looking tired, especially Jake (reaction to the day before) and so the news that the wound was looking good, the stitches were great and he could cycle on Saturday got a clenched fist and, "YES" from Jake.

Back on track!

Cardiff to Bristol

This was an exciting day, the team were going to have company for the whole day (poor soul joining this mad bunch).  Mark Hardie, CEO of the charity Access Sport had put aside a day to accompany bikewithJake to Bristol.

Straight in at the deep end!  How the ... do we get out of Cardiff, without going down that dual-carriageway so beloved of Philip's.  The answer - not easily.  The group pedalled down about 3 streets before asking directions - Mark, poor chap, appeared surprised to find us equipped with a few pages cut out of a road atlas and some scribbled written directions.  He had not been well briefed!

A journey of 50+ miles had Mark calling out for caffeine and something to eat within 16 miles.  This is what happens if you hook up with a bunch of lunatics on bikes who insist on making a free crossing on Newport's fabulous Transporter bridge, only to then come back again - just because it's there!

Mark looking somewhat bemused at the proposal
being put to him by Philip.  Jake knows it's best
just to go along with it. 

Yes, honestly we're going back over now.

Newport provided coffee and Mark's healthy salad brunch whilst the team stocked up on banana cake.


Suddenly, it all got a bit frantic.  With mobile phones clamped to ears, messages came through about a date with BBC Points West on Clifton Suspension Bridge at 5:00pm.  


A leisurely jaunt trying to follow signs for National Cycle Route 4 became a bit more urgent and Mark resorted to Google Maps.


Let's just say that the verbal attack that went Philip's way during the Cardiff dual carriageway 'incident' was almost repeated when Mark led the troupe along the busy, main road into Chepstow in search of the Severn Bridge.  Luckily for Mark, Nic was two bikes behind, not just one and luckily for Mark we met a couple of fellow cyclists (Hi Julian and friend) who got us back onto NR4 and the bridge just in time.

Belting along an off-road bit of NCR4 after a
close encounter with a tractor and trailer.
Please note:  Mark is riding carbon, super-light bike, no panniers

Another, scheduled bridge encounter
crossing the River Severn.

We get into Bristol, we are outside Clifton Rugby Club, we have only to make it to the Suspension Bridge and Points West - things are looking good even if the team look a little weary.  Jake had earlier pointed out that his pedals were broken (the running repairs undertaken in Pateley Bridge had finally given in).  Jake went to clip into his pedal for the last 5 miles when ... he didn't cry!  Nic knew straight away that it was a steri-strip at least, but more likely stitches, accident.  


Jake had sliced his ankle on the cogs and it was a 2cm greasy hole.  Patched up we pedalled on and made it to the Bridge in time for the interview.  The injury was newsworthy.

Jake in relaxed mood with the Points West team behind.

From the bridge, to the hotel, to the safety of a car.  Becca Owen, Access Sport's Bristol Active Women Development Manager was the hero of the hour.  To begin with she took the team to meet inspirational leader of Hype Street Dance project, Tasha Benjamin.

Tasha Benjamin and the team with Jake holding the
Olympic Torch carried by Tasha on a relay leg in Bristol

From the project, Becca then, very kindly, committed herself to a long wait in A & E at South Meads Hospital (once we found it!)

Jake was very nervous about having stitches, Nic was more nervous about Jake having the wound scrubbed with iodine.  Both fears were allayed as copious numbing gel and local anaesthetic did the job and out came the scrubbing brush followed by the little 'fish-hook' needle and there he was patched up.

Bomb-shell - NO CYCLING for 2 days.

This was not in the script - big decisions loomed.

Cardiff - Venue 5

The team were accommodated in Nomads Backpackers and it was great to wander around totally relaxed, access to a kitchen, laundry facilities and the start of Wimbledon on the TV (in a real sitting room).

Jake and Mabel making friends in Nomads

The object of the exercise was to get to the Millennium Stadium, the impressive, well-located, well-known next Olympic Venue.  So, Philip, how did we end up on the main dual-carriageway exactly?  Anyway folks, Cardiff Bay (yes - that area of Cardiff that is not home to the famous, Millennium Stadium) is really very smart.  Luckily for Philip it is also well supported by cycle routes out of the Bay area and into the city, where the stadium can be found.

Look boys, there it is!

Once there, the finding of the stadium paled in comparison to the ability to get into it.  LOCOG were busy and there were floodlights being replaced - it was a 'hard hat' area only and apparently our cycling helmets did not constitute hard enough head wear!

John, tried to give us the best of the photo opportunities available outside so we found our obligatory Venue statue and stood there in the drizzle.  Poor little Destination London 2012 taxi cab risked a soggy box in order to be photographed.

Jake, cold and damp standing with
Sir Tasker Watkins and his taxi.

Venue 5 Millennium Stadium

The stadium visited we had another important date to keep to - supper with Freya, Philip's daughter who is at university in Cardiff, studying Psychology.

Freya took the team to see the enormous Olympic Rings that celebrate Cardiff's involvement in the Olympics.  Apparently, of the 8 matches being hosted the men's match GB versus Brazil is a sell out.

These really are huge!

Cardiff - Venue 5

The team were accommodated in Nomads Backpackers and it was great to wander around totally relaxed, access to a kitchen, laundry facilities and the start of Wimbledon on the TV (in a real sitting room).

Jake and Mabel making friends in Nomads

The object of the exercise was to get to the Millennium Stadium, the impressive, well-located, well-known next Olympic Venue.  So, Philip, how did we end up on the main dual-carriageway exactly?  Anyway folks, Cardiff Bay (yes - that area of Cardiff that is not home to the famous, Millennium Stadium) is really very smart.  Luckily for Philip it is also well supported by cycle routes out of the Bay area and into the city, where the stadium can be found.

Look boys, there it is!

Once there, the finding of the stadium paled in comparison to the ability to get into it.  LOCOG were busy and there were floodlights being replaced - it was a 'hard hat' area only and apparently our cycling helmets did not constitute hard enough head wear!

John, tried to give us the best of the photo opportunities available outside so we found our obligatory Venue statue and stood there in the drizzle.  Poor little Destination London 2012 taxi cab risked a soggy box in order to be photographed.

Jake, cold and damp standing with
Sir Tasker Watkins and his taxi.

Venue 5 Millennium Stadium

The stadium visited we had another important date to keep to - supper with Freya, Philip's daughter who is at university in Cardiff, studying Psychology.

Freya took the team to see the enormous Olympic Rings that celebrate Cardiff's involvement in the Olympics.  Apparently, of the 8 matches being hosted the men's match GB versus Brazil is a sell out.

These really are huge!