Nearly two weeks ago, I completed an epic 750km cycle
journey for Stage 2 of the
Dallaglio Flintoff Cycle Slam 2012 and though I’m
almost fully recovered, it’s taken nearly this long for my hands to start
working properly, after holding the handle bars for such a long time!
Five extremely long but very rewarding days across Italy in
great company and a great spirit in the pursuit of raising money for some very
worthwhile causes alongside rugby and cricket icons Lawrence and Freddie.
Highlights included a Day One ride on a very long straight
road plus 30 degree heat leading to rather severe sunburn – which kept me under
observation for the next few days as we continued to cycle in the same
direction.
A Day Three cycle to break my personal distance best of
190km, and a Day Four Cycle after 4 hours sleep that took us 175km up and
across snowy peaks and over two killer climbs – the first 50km long and the
latter 30km – not for the faint hearted! More often than not, the head writing cheques that the body
could barely cash. Nothing like 13 hours cycling to find your levels!
Day Five saw us cycling 125km through Tuscany and finishing
in Siena - some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever enjoyed. What goes up
must come down, but doing long sweeping descents in the mountains after being
caught in a torrential downpour, is a bit chilly in one layer of soaking lycra
and soggy shoes.
I’ve learnt that endurance cycling is a sport (arguably
‘sentence’ might be more appropriate) where ‘the rich get richer’ – be as fit
as possible, cycle quick, cycle in a peloton, expend less energy, get to the
hotel early, have physio and a late lunch, chill, get organized, enjoy dinner.
In my case, not much of that applied. Next time I will be better prepared. I
will take lights for my bike.
For those of you that have donated, thank you so much for
your kind support. The guys are still on Stage 4 and we have some way to go to
hit the target for fundraising so any further donations would be much
appreciated:
Here is the link for donations:
Please dig deep. The money raised really does get well spent
on some incredibly emotive needs where it makes a genuine difference. Thanks.
Mr. Smith
