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 .....

2030 hrs

All arrived at Church Stretton.... Tired and wet.....

1811 hrs....rain rain rain

We are 15 miles north of Shrewsbury & rain has stopped play... 4 of the Super Heroes are hiding in the support cars.....we seem to be carrying our own micro climate with us ..... bursts of heavy rain followed by bursts of more heavy rain....25 rain drenched miles to go today.....

Woof Woof

Woof, woof, woof … woof, woof, woof!
Of course Super Heroes require no translation, but just in case your super brain cells have become slightly water logged I will translate for you!
I am reading your blog with increasing admiration and am very proud to be associated with such amazing feats of endurance and stamina. It’s all down hill from now!
I am also proud of my owners – Ian and Immy who are clearly providing excellent support.
I shall continue to take a keen interest in your progress.
Lots of licks and tail wags
From Tess

Paws script:- Trevor and Sue send their congratulations on the great progress you are all making.

1434 hrs...

Here are a couple of great pictures taken by photographer Mark Lea who kindly helped us out with this group shot at the Liver Building after Captain Underpant's camera drowned...... Mark's website is www.marklea.com

1320 hrs....

7 miles to Chester ...Pete has a puncture.. Our brilliant support team Ian & Immy are waitting in the trusty Honda with a soup and sandwich pitstop....

1209 hrs....

Ferry across the Mersey too slow....have taken the train under it... Had to hide under some trees during a brief deluge....steam is rising as we dry out ....

1051 hrs

Made Liverpool in 1 hour from hotel... Also a big shout to Captain Underpant's sister in law Bernie......who is a fan of the blog....

0943 hrs...

Leaving Ormskirk for Welsh borders....bike maintenance this morning...bikes coping better than us...80 miles to cover today

Sunshine? 08.42

Yesterday's ride was completed in full scuba gear with some of the more vertically challlenged riders being towed along in small dinghies for fear that they could be washed out to sea by the torrential waters raging through the north. Rumours that Moses popped down, classified parting the raging flow as 'too tough' and then went back to the pearly gates have not been confirmed but have the ring of authenticity about them. Conditions seem more favourable this morning. The good people of the north have been taking to the streets and staring in awe at a giant golden orb in the sky, asking eachother what it is - luckily in true super hero fashion we have been on hand to tell them 'it's the sun, it always shines in the south of this great land'. Chris also offered to show them the moon before he was quickly ushered away from the danger zone.
We have been basking in the warm glow of the premiere inn whose care and attention to us has been above and beyond - anyone who offers to wash our kit and does not demand danger money is a true friend of the big ride and the staff at Ormskirk could not have been more welcoming.
In our down time we have taken to resolving the big issues of the day and last night the collected intellects of the group moved on to tackle 'which team member would be who in the A team' - surely the question that is preventing the global economy from fully recovering.
Our findings:
Hannibal - Ian Battey, he loves it when a plan comes together for free soup, stolen bread rolls or an impromptu attack on the single malt. (ian has just informed me he as wangled 12 free yoghurts - this should come as a surprise to nobody).
Face - Pete and Andy - together they form the eye candy of the team. Their tight tight derrieres rolling through the rain are a sight that no woman could resist. It's like 4 walnuts in lycra.
Howling Mad Murdoch - Pete Mac - no thought required - the techno wizard of Alis Big Ride may not be able to fly choppers, but by god he is the livewire of the group. Do NOT send him to the wrong premiere inn.
BA Baracus - I can proudly report this honour fell to me - so quit your jibber jabber, drink your milk and stay in school. BA may comfortably have been the worst cyclist of the A Team, but by jingo he was good going downhill.
Enough of this - the pork products have been loaded (am beginning to question the merits of that policy), banter is rising, my legs are coiled springs and the open road awaits.
Love to all, with a special nod to the Battey ladies, James 'Mr Incredible / T' Battey.

I'm following your blog avidly - looks so impressive especially with the weather conditions you have been dealing with - each day is a huge achievement - won't be long till you are in Cornwall! love Cath and the Dembeks x

2154 hrs ...today's photographs.... Carlisle to Ormskirk....