Ali would most definitely have approved!

Would again like to express our sincere thanks to everyone that has been involved in the phenomenal undertaking.

As my legs are returning to normal, I am beginning to remember more and more about the ride. But what impressed me most was that morale remained high in the face of some really horrid weather and extreme terrain. This really reminded me of the way Ali faced up to the adversity of his treatment.

I also took a lot of strength from seeing us all out in our ride jerseys, to see the little guy in his Batman outfit, on his scooter, surely dragged me up more than one hill!

As for the riders, the training we all put in reaped its benefits. After the day 1 battering I was amazed to see us all outside and ready to go for day 2. I was sure that there would have been casualties from the first day - but no! Think we all be proud of the efforts that we have put in.

It was also a genuine team effort. Nobody shirked responsibility and we all did our fair share at the head of the pack - although Tim's efforts in the wind were special.... just a shame he was a little larger to shelter some of the bigger guys!!

Uncle James - Ali would have throughly approved of 'hikling' as an activity - dragging his scooter up hill for the joyous experience of whizzing down the other side. Think your solo efforts were incredible.

Special thanks to Pete Mac as well - he kept the bloggers very happy! We had to be very careful not to let you get left behind when we were temporarily halted at traffic lights.

I think we have all agreed that the support team were brilliant. Thanks again to Ian and Immy - you provided the support around which the ride worked. You were always there when we needed you most - the sight of the blue Honda - will be one we will miss when we return to the Surrey Lanes..... unless of course you happen to be around Sunday mornings!!

Massive thanks again to the SWAGs - your support of us has been brilliant. Is it the related work and activities you have done that has made this the success it has been.

This challenge has been far away the most physical thing I have undertaken. We all shared the emotions over the last couple of days as it hit home what we were doing. I spilt many tears over those days. It was emotional being reunited with Kate, Tom and Hannah, it was emotional finishing the ride. Most of all it was emotional because I completed this ride in honour of child I had the pleasure of being father to.

Ali I love you.

Thank you to you all for undertaking this with us.

Jeff and Kate

great achievement men!!

Dear all the men who did the cycleride
it was a great achievement
you did brilliantly!!. I hope you enjoyed the cycleride and aslo a massive thanks
to Kate & jeff burnett!.Im extremely glad because Ali was the best friend you could
have.
from BELLA!.

well done cyclists!

Dear cyclists
congratulations Batman, zoro, cooperman, bananaman, Themightythaw, captain underpants, bicyclereparmen, thething, redpowerranger, and lastly mr incredible!
you should all be very proud of yourself after cycling more than 900 miles! In 10
days.It would take me 10 years to do something like that.Also a big clap to kate
bernett and jeff bernett who arranged the cycle ride or I bet none of the men would
of had a thrill like that or a phenomenally fun challenge like that.



a little thing about ali!
I bet ali would of loved watching the men in there superhero outfits.If ali would of done it he'd be batman junior.
hope you like my email everyone
jake cooper
p:s what a challenge huh ali? Well done Daddy oh woops I mean cooperman!

A blog from a dog!

Woof woof woof! Yes it's me again!

Congratulations to all involved on your great achievement. The pictures at Land's End are great and the sun is shining! What a wonderful way to remember Ali.

Lots of licks and tail wags from
Tess

Parp!

Well, what an experience of a lifetime that was.

The long and winding roads of this sun-kissed and gale-free isle have provided the super heroes with many, many hours to discuss and debate the finer aspects of a wide variety of topics and in particular this rider is now much better versed in such issues as advanced road works (and in particular the laying of underground communications), the finer logistics of swimming lessons and what constitutes an acceptable structural framework for a restaurant calibre pie.

To say the experience has been enjoyable would be a trifle over-enthusiastic; at times the route has been vicious and the level of cursing has reached the sort of heights that would even have bought a rosie glow to Bernard Manning's boat-race. But we have had some truly wonderful times, some quality banter (imagine it, 10 thirty and forty somethings acting like -immature - teenagers once again.....) and although the variety of our daily routine has been exceptionally limited (eat,ride,eat,sleep,eat,ride.....etc) we've all had a bloody good laugh. Indeed, the level of carbohydrate and protein induced flatulanece has been absolutely astounding and at times many of us have been close to tears with the banter regularly on offer. Thanks boys for so many laughs.

One example in particular was when, whilst riding drenched and sodden through picturesque Preston in the usual monsoon conditions - and boy was it raining that dark and miserable afternoon - three "youths" slowed down in their go-faster Corsa, wound down the windows and gave us all the middle finger. Priceless.

This rider is still amazed that we made it to Lands Ends and we couldn't have done it without the "Blue Oasis" Honda pit-stops manned so fantastically by Ian and Immy; our fellow hero Mr Incredible is a keen advocate of the term 'Legend' but let me tell you, never has the term been more richly deserved than by those two. Both of you - thank you so much from the bottom of my stomach.

The festivities at Lands End brought us to the end of the road in many different respects and for this rider, the three cheers for our No. 1 hero Ali and the vision of those balloons drifting calmly into the picture-perfect clear blue sky caused some SERIOUS eye-welling action to my manly, stiff upper lip resolve but I managed to keep it in check with a crafty kryptonite gel pack...

A truly amazing experience, this rider feels sincerely privileged and honoured to have been involved in such a fitting, fun packed tribute to a wonderful little boy.

Thanks Kate and Jeff, thanks SWAGS and thanks to each and every one of our sponsors - "good work".

High five Ali x

Cooperman

1726 hrs............

This blogger and cyclist would like to sign off by saying that it has been an honour and a privilege to spend 10 days with such great blokes.........I have had a fantastic time..........I can't think of a better way to get a sore neck, knees and bum.......A massive thanks also needs to go to Jeff and Kate for organising the whole thing and to Ian and Immy who truly were our angels in the layby...........and to all the SWAGS who have sacrificed their other halves for the countless training sessions and meetings........I thought of Ali when we were out on the ride every day and I feel very honoured to have been part of this great fundraising event in his memory.

Captain Underpants (AKA Pete Mac)

1545 hrs...It's all over.....the last day's photographs.....

What a great last day...A brilliant welcome from friends and family at Land's End............

1400 hrs .....

Land's End....arrived...finished....

1203 hrs....

Marazion.....tea stop....11 miles to go.....

1135 hrs....

Middle of nowhere.....18 miles to go & the sun is shining.....

0930 hrs.....

Leaving Truro for the last 34 miles.... In our Super Hero costumes and with kids on their bikes for the last mile....it's nearly over..... after 866 extraordinary miles...

2046 hrs.....today's photos from the penultimate day of Ali's Big Ride......

Today was really hard as you can see from Jeff's yawn........we spent a pleasant morning climbing up and down the mountainous roads of Dartmoor National Park.....92 miles.......................

2006 hrs.....

Arrived Truro hotel....everyone exhausted....Just 40 miles to go to Land's End tomorrow.....

1701 hrs ....

Lostwithiel.....time for a cup of tea and a slice of cake....very hilly today....Cornwall is testing us.....27 miles to go......

1617 hrs...

Passing Dobwalls.....32 miles to Truro...on this the penultimate day of Ali's Big Ride.....

1314 hrs....

Have arrived in Cornwall... The pasty eaters (Jeff & Ian) are very happy....

1211 hrs...

Dartmoor.....crossed....downhill to Tavistock....

0830 hrs ...

Departed Exeter.....90 miles of hills to Truro....

2255 hrs .......This is a bust.

And not the sort the riders are hoping will greet them at Land's End.
It's time someone blew the lid off this drugs festival that's masquerading as a cycling tour.
For starters Cooper is on pills for vertigo, Johns A is on uppers trying to shake a nasty bout of mediterranian lethargy he contracted at birth, Stone Cold Pete Austin is desperately trying to create some form of emotion from within with some heavy amphetamines. Knowlsey is on beta blockers in an attempt to reduce his terrier like aggression epitomised in his chasing of Royal Mail vans. Jeff's on pasty replacement hormones, and James is downing the arnica like its going out of fashion in an attempt to reduce the swelling on his giant peach. Andy is no doubt on the marching powder, hoping to extend his failing pop career and Howlin' mad Maciarmid is the only one clean one amongst us following several lifes worth spent on mind bending potent dust.
To say this tour has become Boots on wheels would be nobody's idea of an exaggeration. Ladies - when you hug us at Land's End, dono't be surprised if we rattle.
2 days left.......
Love to all Thingettes, The Thing xx

1941 hrs .... Photographs from today .....Alveston to Exeter........

1901 hrs....

All arrived at Exeter hotel after a very sunny 96 miles.....

1354 hrs....

Reached Taunton after 60 miles of furious pedalling.....lunch up next.....

1201 hrs...

Just north of Bridgewater in Somerset...for our first pit stop.....35 miles covered so far today.... The sun is shining...hurragh....

1015 hrs

Under the Clifton Suspension Bridge as we pass through Bristol...

0907 hrs.....

Depart Alveston for Exeter on day 8 of Ali's Big Ride....rain is NOT forecast....we will see.....anyway 96 miles till dinner time....

We're Off!

Well, we may be going by car, but the road still feels long, so Claire and I are trying to beat the traffic by leaving at 5am. Strong coffee at the ready and soothing music at hand to calm my nerves! Can't wait to see everyone in sunny Cornwall for the climax of what will have been an amazing tribute to sweet Ali. He, like us would have been mightily impressed. So, good luck to all the riders for the final push to the South and we'll see you in afew days. Go for it! Love Katexxx.

2051 hrs............end of day 7

If you want to see 10 superheroes (out of costume) walking like John Wayne in 'True Grit' I invite you all to the Premiere Inn, Alveston. Men have not walked like this since the very worst days of the wild west and it would come as no surprise to this writer if any of the riders ordered a sasparilla and demanded their horses were well stabled for the night. Speaking of horses, it strikes me as an omission that we have yet to pay due homage to the steeds that are taking us on this epic mission from one end of this country to the other. Consider this writers bicycle, 'Black Thunder' - where other bikes would have died of shame due to their rider's desperately slow pace (I was stung by a horsefly whilst ascending a hill on Sunday), Black Thunder has simply carried on regardless, I salute his bravery to carry me down the A roads of this great land without a word of complaint.
Today has been a cracker - the superhero skype with Eastwick Infants ended in a melee of superheroes, with no quarter asked and none offered. I knew I was in trouble when Bananaman tackled me from behind whilst the Thing jumped on top of me. In many respects this has been the dream that has been keeping me going from Scotland down to Bristol, but the venue (a pub beer garden) and the company (I could see Captain Underpants grappling with Thor) put me off too much to enjoy the moment. I am now working out how I can suggest another superhero bundle without seeming too keen.
Tomorrow sees us enter the depths of the west country, a massively worrying prospect for avid watchers of Jeff and Knowlesy, who both run the risk of simple becoming too cornish in their homeland. I have the mixed blessing of sharing a room with Jeff and between his olympic standard snoring (consider a walrus fighting a motorbike whilst blowing on a foghorn) he often lets loose an impassioned cry for a pasty. The next few days will be interesting......
There is much Ali would love about this effort - the banter, the never giving up, the outfits, the sight of his uncle in a one size too small pair of lycra pants to name but 3 things. All superheroes are honouring Ali's memory with their commitment, their never-give-up attitude and the banter they bring to every stage if this epic trek.
Bring on Day 9, bring on the next melee and my chance to grapple again with Bananaman, bring on the west country and all that it offers but more importantly for now, bring on my mixed grill - you beauty.
Love to all, James 'Mr Incredible'.

2032 hrs...........today's photos.................

Here is a selection from today......mostly the Super Heroes bravely hiding from the rain under a flyover outside Gloucester.......some of us in costume after a great Skype video broadcast to Eastwick infants school - who raised over £600 from their Scootathon today.............80 miles of mostly good weather...... 3 days to go.............

1945 hrs

Early finishers arrive at hotel north of Bristol in pouring rain........................

Hi Guys

Hope it is all going well and I guess if you got past Liverpool with your hub caps still on it must be. Watch out for the Welsh Boys who can get a bit frisky this time of year when the sheep are off limits and keep pedalling.

 

End in sight now so keep it up. Everyone back here very proud of you.

 

David, Ali and Family

 

1736 hrs...

Hiding from thunder storm under road bridge 2 miles out of Gloucester....

1709 hrs

Passing Gloucester...22 miles to go....

1342 hrs...........Some early morning pictures....at set off we were joined by Andy's Dad as Beowulf..........

1326 hrs photos from Eastwick School's Scootathon

1302 hrs....

Trumpet for lunch after a 45 mile start to the day.......

1058 hrs....

4 miles north of Leominster...and time for a pit stop hosted by Ian and Immy - the Angels of the layby....the sun is shining & we have just averaged 15 mph over 2 hours...

Eastwick Infants are Superheroes!

Guys I hope you will feel re-energised and encouraged by the thought of all the infant school turning out on scooters in their best superhero outfits this morning to take on Little Alis Ride challenge. The playground was decorated with all things superhero, excitement levels were off the scale ...... and then Mrs O'Brien appeared in an amazing superwoman outfit - she looked fantastic! Mrs Batman didn't disappoint in her amazing outfit, although she was at risk of overheating due to lack of cotton content, and Tom (Batman of course), Jolyon (Star Wars?) and Hannah Super Hero Bannah (with a tic tac) were all in support too. Ollie squeezed into his mini Thing costume which did look uncomfortable in the seat area but he was prepared to Keep on Rolling for Daddy. Every teacher had made the effort to become a superhero for the day which only added to the amazing atmosphere at drop off this morning.
 
So that is the news from us! You are doing brilliantly I am so proud of you all and I am glad that you had a little better weather today - long may that continue. You are nearly there, Cornwall is calling .......pasties....... persevere as George would say. Lots of love Mrs Thing x x x

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0950 hrs....

13 miles from Church Stretton in 50 minutes....not bad....sun is shining.....so far..........
We have a Skype broadcast at 1430 hrs with Eastwick School who are having a Scooterthon today...hundreds of infants dressed up as Super Heroes...we shall don our costumes and join them live from Ledbury.....

0900 hrs....

Depart Church Stretton....for 80 miles of hard slog and more swimming (probably).... Today we are joined by Superhero Beowulf in the shape Andy's dad Dave, who has a brilliant home made set of armour including a helmet made from a Tesco colander.....

2152 hrs...Today's pictures...see earlier post for Liverpool pictures

These are just a few shots of us sheltering from the rain enroute to Church Stretton........... and us taking the train under the Mersey as the boat was too slow .....