Day 1 SITREP

An excellent day on the road to be honest.  Still, it’s only Day 1 so morale is probably artificially high at the moment.  Big thanks to the staff of RAF Leeming for a brilliant send-off.  We also managed to have a joint photo call with the RAF Marham RideforRafa team.  Good to see so many people working hard to raise money for RAFA.



Cleat faff!

 Great weather to start with and favourable winds, saw the team crack on at seriously swift pace, managing to average 18 mph over the course of the day.  Can’t see us maintaining that speed during the second half of the ride!!

Have to mention the first crash of the ride which Jay managed to achieve whilst stationary in front of Stn HQ at RAF Leeming, before he’d even turned a wheel in anger – embarrassing!!!  Not 10 miles later, he was also managing to have the first ‘mechanical’ of the week, however a swift drive-by of the local bike shop by the Support Team managed to replaced his cleats and once more he was on the road.

Spt Team Mngr hard at work!

First feed stn arrived in quick time at just over 30 miles, although I have to admit my legs weren’t exactly working by this point – they clearly take a while to wake up these days.  Off on the second leg of the day and the route through Durham, Gateshead and Newcastle.  A few lumps to deal with and before long the Redheugh Bridge was upon us.  The 2 Scotty’s and Kev had got themselves in a breakaway, but were soon hauled back in after failing to negotiate the simple one-way system of Newcastle!  Up the hill past St James’ Park and the peloton started working hard towards Longbenton.  Strangely enough, the 2^nd feed stn arrived in super-quick time too.  Over 60 miles nailed to the mast at this point, with the team clearly on form.

On departure from Longbenton, the weather started to deteriorate with a few showers and increased winds.  Some interesting driving from the locals made it interesting at times and a particular stretch of dual carriageway north of Blyth was interesting to say the least.

South of Amble and the weather turned for the worse with everyone getting a proper soaking and a few epic turns at the front were required to keep the pace up.  The final RV at Amble was a sh-Amble-s after the Support Team Manager briefed the RV using the medium of telepathy.  Unfortunately not all of the riding team were scaled for telepathic receipt of orders and the final RV was more of a meeting engagement north of Walkworth!  Note to self – must brief RV procedures more clearly at the briefing tonight!!



Arrival at RAF Boulmer



The final push to RAF Boulmer was without drama, although a few people weren’t big fans of the final climb upt o the domestic site from Longhoughton.  Big thanks to RAF Boulmer for good accommodation drills and an excellent super-size meal in the JRM – nice one chef.

A good day in the saddle, although tomorrow is likely to be a more difficult proposition.

Awards for today:

The ‘Venerable Order of the Daily Snail’:       Jay

The ‘Biting off More Than You Can Chew' Award:        Jay

The ‘Admin Vortex’ Award:  Chuckles

The ‘One-Way System Crisis’ Award: Kev

The ‘Dishonourable Order Of The Jack’ Award : The  2 Scotties

The ‘Lack Of Leg Showage’ Award: Bianca

Quote of the Day:

“This High5 bottle is difficult to suck..........”