Stage 5 day 1 (Tues 15th May)

Nancy to Chalons-sur-Champagne (103 miles). Less than 5 hours sleep is perhaps not the best preperation and trying to force courses of breakfast down before 6am also goes against the grain a bit! So Group 3 rolled out in relatively good conditions, not quite the same blue sky as the previous day and in the knowledge that rain had been forecast. I soon realised how quick this group might be as we rolled at a "slighter" faster pace than I'm used to and it didn't take very long to pass the first 2 Groups on the road. 2-3mph average doesn't sound a lot and it was good fun rolling through the first 40miles til our lunch stop (10am!) at around 19-20mph average. A welcome stop to refuel & the food didn't disappoint. The next 30 miles were a bit tougher as the morning's exertions were starting to have an impact as I drifted off the back on the climbs, all because I couldn't keep that pace up. Sleepy towns, some uninspiring countryside and the company of John Savidge, who was also suffering the same fate, lead the way to an impromptu coffee stop in a town (whose name I didn't even see) but at least it had people and spotting 7 bikes together on the right hand side wasn't difficult. The remaining 30-35 miles were to tell a different story as the head wind increased, the rain that was forecast became very apparent & the uninspiring countryside that typified Day 1 continued only to be broken up the occasional wind farm. Some practice of a rolling peloton helped pass the time but in truth my legs started to struggle and as soon as I hit the front of the group from the fourth time onwards, I just went backwards every time and as Graeme was quick to point out (and correctly) it was like a parachute had been pulled. Only I thought he was referring to the "boil in the bag" jackets, that we were issued with, filling with air..... So when he shouted "tuck in", he meant "stick to the wheel in front" and gave me a gentle push to assist. I, on other hand went to pull down the back of my jacket.....Muppet!!! So the nickname "Parachute Bob" was created. Not long after, on one particular climb, I felt like I was going backwards and was given 2 helping hands, literally! Lee on one side & Graeme on the other, each having a hand on my back as I cycled up in a very slow 1st gear. Weather conditions aside (the rain hurt at this point), it's times like this when you have to dig deep....very deep! It wasn't the only climb til our destination and whilst I had a chaparone to keep me company & provide moral support, the effort was all mine. I wouldn't have had it any other way. Arrived at 3.15pm and was able to shower, wash gear, find food, rest up & reflect on the day's achievements knowing that many others would be suffering more than I. My roomie for the week didn't get back til 6.15pm! Somehow, the thought of trip to the caves at Bollinger followed by dinner made the recovery process a bit easier! Bollinger is a champagne house that does not open it's doors to the public, so to have the opportunity to taste some of its wares & enjoy a delightful meal was a great privilege. It didn't disappoint. Getting the chance to enjoy the company of Graeme & Lee in a more relaxing location was pretty good too!! I only saw him at dinner but Servais Knaven (former Paris-Roubaix winner & current Team Sky DS) was the ex-pro that joined the Slam. Coach back to hotel and the thought of sleep was really welcome...albeit with the alarm set for 5hours later. Zzzzzz

Transfer time

It's only when you start to travel somewhere that the reality of the adventure you are undertaking starts to sink in. All the fundraising, training & preparation soon fall to the back of the mind, or at least they did for me as I travelled down to Heathrow with Steve on the Sunday afternoon (13th May). The thought of City gifting the Premiership title back to United also provided distraction for about 35 mins, only for that hope to disappear as quickly as it took Utd to dash Bayern Munich's hopes back in 1999 Champions League Final. So a couple of cheeky beers were had whilst overlooking T5 with the sun setting ever lower. I know it's not the most glamourous of scenes but was enjoyable nonetheless. Checked in at 6.45am and have to say that my only experience of T5 was far better than had been described in the press over previous days. It wasn't that quiet either. The flight to Luxembourg was quick and was spent talking to Andy Neill (fellow Stage 5 rider & Tweeter). Always good to put a face to a name! The sight of the team bus upon arrival put a great smile on everyone's face....as if the blue sky & proposition of meeting Messers Dallaglio & Flintoff et al wasn't enough! The sight of the roadshow that is the Cycle Slam at the hotel in Nancy started to put the logistics of managing such an event into perspective. Bid Vest lorries x 2, Skoda support cars (a few), an ambulance, Halfords mechanics big van & Catermasters' food wagon...all in the car park and that was before all the bikes were made available to check over. A meet & greet session plus the first meeting to go through the next day's route, weather & what to expect preceeded an evening meal & drinks. Never had a 3 course meal before starting with spaghetti bolognese! At the end of dinner, we were told our groups for the week; how exciting.....a group lead by Lee Dixon & Graeme Le Saux, which also included fellow Evesham Wheeler (and Halfords colleague) Steve Tarling. The fast boys...and me! Time for an early night then ready for the first 100 miles...perhaps not as early as it should have been and not helped by someone's dulcet tones giving a rendition of Cockles & Mussels at 1am out by the pool!! The only relief being that would be one more person suffering more than myself as the alarm clock was set for 5.15am! Zzzzzzzzzz

Coming, ready or not!

I made it out this weekend, albeit 50 miles only on Sunday with the Evesham Wheelers. Nice little route up Stanway and good to see that the road had been re-tarmac'ed in the last couple of weeks. Made the descent immediately afterwards into village of Ford less intimidating. Great views too. Thankful it was dry, always good on Bank Holiday weekend! Felt good to be in the saddle again having not ridden for 3 weeks and most importantly no major reaction from my knee. I did give the cold bath treatment...15 mins bbbrrrrr!! Think I may have to be doing more of that madness next week. Yes next week! Wow it has come round quickly. This time next week I will be in Nancy with a lot of other excited Stage 5 slammers, contemplating the 103 miles that follow the following morning! Pedals taken off bike ready for transportation, clothes on spare bed ready for packing and just 4 days to work (albeit with a lot to pack in those 4 days)! Less than £200 to break the £3,000 sponsorship (incl Gift Aid) and it's proving ever illusive. http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RobertNewrick to help some great causes. Can't wait to tell you about the next bike ride I have..... :)

Stage 5: Here I come!

Now that was some good news! I am officially a Stage 5 rider. A great £2.3k raised before Gift Aid and £2.8k in total. I am still overwhelmed by the level of support received so far. I know this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, with experiences that will never be forgotten. I am soooo excited!! The journey starts in a week and a half and begins with my first trip through T5 @ Heathrow. This weekend is my last opportunity to cycle and intend to get out at least once. Test the knee out too. Hoping the cold water treatment is doing its job. Cold bath after the rides this weekend me thinks. Brrrr! Chapeau to the Stage 2 riders. 14hrs in the saddle for a single day through thunderstorms, hail and serious climbs deserves recognition.... And a large Perroni! Very jealous the first day in Italy saw Claudio Chiapucci join The Slam (3 times on the podium at Le Tour). Wonder if any ex-pro's will join us through Northern France?! If you have yet to look, suggest http://dallaglioflintoff2012.com to track riders progress & some inciteful Slam updates.