1000mile EURO CHARITY CYCLE

Well here we are back in the UK and it is all over and done with, i can’t beleive i am sat here now and it is like nothing has happened.  I apologise for not keeping you up to date over the weekend but it was really hectic from friday onwards and when we got to Ranville in France on midday, Sat 6th June ‘09 it really was non stop.  Was a case of  get off the bikes, get changed and then straight down to Pegasus Bridge to see the ceremonies and i personally was so glad that i did.  It was AMAZING, the amount of different emotions that i went through over the next 24hours was exhaustive to say the least, it brought back so many memories of my Grandad and the stories he used to tell me and the songs that he, my uncles and friends used to sing on a sunday afternoon after watching PATTON for the umpteenth time!  It was an honour to be a part of the 65th Anniversary, a life changing experience and something that will stay with me for the rest of my life.  I think the rest of the team enjoyed it too hahaha.

The ferry back was so much different compared to the force 7 that we experienced on the way to Denmark thank god and looking back we were really lucky to not have had any other more serious incidents, apart from the two suicidal sheep that took out myself and Capt Kelly!! 

I would like to thank everyone in the team for all there hard work, enthusiasm and professionalism.  If it wasn’t for them coming on board and giving up their own time to do this then it would not have happened.  A special thanks goes to Capt Vince Kelly, whose advice, support and at times stern words (keeping me out of troubel) has kept me going all through this.  Boss you are a star and you have a present on the way, but you have to guess what it is and prove that you have read this first, if you haven’t read this then you won’t get it hahahaha.  The final, but most important “thank you” goes out to my wife - Cina Westhorpe (Mrs W) she has supported me for the past 3/4years whilst i have been trying to get this off the ground and put up with my moods, not being around and constant moaning when things didn’t go my way, i think she has picked my teddy up more times than i care to realise.  I love you loads hun and really appreciate everything that you have done for me xx and i am sorry i mentioned mick and his missus on radio 5 live instead of you hahahahaha.

Hi ALl, Sorry for not keeping you up-to-date over the last 2-3 days, but I ended clocking up a few hundred miles on in the 4×4…
But the riders Made it to Ranville and the Celabrations at the Pegasus Bridge.. Followed by a night in Cains… ANd a goo night it was too, Pictures will be found on facebook..
On the Ferry now heading back to Portsmouth. Either myself of Westy will fill in the gaps on the last 2-3 days within the next 24 hours.

All the team are in good spirits and have good spirits in them… enough said… Looking forward for the last leg from Portsmouth to Pirbright, can’t wait to get home.

Thaml you for all your support… catch you all soon!!!

Sam

After an enjoyable afternoon (For the support guys) and Sheep fighting with the riders… we got to Brunsbuttle and found there was no ferry to Cuxhaven… so had to add a few Ks to the ride and catch a ferry from Gluckstadt to Wischhafen. The suppot hilux jumped ahead and found the last ferry was at 11.15pm, the riders wern’t due in till 1am… Do’h. We decided to rest up at the ferry termanal untill the first ferry at 5.15am. Drivers and riders alike could get some shut eye.

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Day 3 -

We cought the 5.15 ferry and got on route to Bremahaven.
The riders found it hard work due to heavy winds. Although weather is good generaly we are getting odd down pours and constant winds.
Everyone Is still well, Westy still a little sore from his bump with the sheep, but still good going.

We’ve had our first accident of the run!! Westy and Mr Kelly decided to take on a Danish sheep when it refused to get off the cycle path… Our riders came off worse. Don’t worry though, the sheeps fine no injuries… as for the riders… well Mr Kelly suffered minor cuts and bruses, but Westy… well, got a very red bum!! Both riders cleaned up, told to ‘man up’ and get back in the saddle!!

Going here so far is smooth and riders (and support) are doing well. In good spirts and ready to see the next 3 days through.

I hope I got this right… Sat in the back of the Hilux, Traveling down the Route 11, following the North Sea Road. I’m am Medic, not a WEB master… oh and excuse the spelling mistakes.

The First day went very well with no problems, did our stop off at Headly Court then on to the sea port at Harwich.

We had one interesting night on the ferry, with a few green faces and only 4 of us making it to breakfast, not through ‘pop’ but the good old North Sea!!
But we had some great support from the Crew and passangers of the ferry. So a big thanks from us for all the Kind donations to out cause and thank you to DFDS Seaways for making us so welcome!!

Now heading for Hojer, ready for first swop over i n europe.

As long as I can keep this laptop cahrged I will get regular up dates. And try and get some photos on.

Also find updateds and photos on faceboog group ” 1000mile Euro Charity Cycle ”

Catch you all soon
Cpl “Sam” Wood (Medic)

Well here i am only 7 hours left and still running around with last minute bits and pieces.  The majority is done and after a few minor let downs with t-shirts and signs, we managed to get the majority covered, due to the hard work yet again of Sue at Windsor Royal Shopping Centre, what an absolute star she is, thanks hun.

After raising £1500 at Windsor Royal Shopping Centre on Sat 16th May ‘09, it has been none stop.  It was a very successful day and many thanks to all concerned for helping out and to all those of you who donated.  Now i ask you to follow our journey as we attempt an amazing 1000miles NON STOP in 4days.  I am excited, but also nervous at the same time with the “unknown” nearly upon us!  Just hope all the hard work that has been put in and dedication from the team will pay off and i don’t let anybody down.  There has been highs and incredibly terrifying lows, but we have survived and managed to continue along our path, making the best of what we have and just dealing with the cards that have been dealt. 

The next time i write in here i will be in Denmark and just just completed the 21hour ferry crossing (yuk!!) and my first leg in Europe, one down five to go!!

I would like to take this opportunity to mention the guys and girsl of the team as they certainly deserve a mention, they are:-

Capt Kelly / Capt Rutledge / Ssgt Shipley / Sgt Blezard / Sgt Goodchild / Sgt Llewellyn-Jones / Cpl Lewis / Cpl Tucker / Cpl Wood / Bdr Johnson and myself Cpl Westhorpe.

A big thanks to them all for taking time out of work and agreeing to do this in their own time, without them it wouldn’t be possible.