Credits

Group 3 role call Lee Dixon #002 Graeme Le Saux #014 Pat Brennan #110 Trevor Back #512 Andrew Bathe #541 Steve Knights #573 John Savidge #574 Steve Tarling #566 Paul Gascoyne #588 A big thanks to all the support/organisation staff, Halfords mechanics, Catermasters food, Rob Cox photography, the Discovery Channel boys & Taylor Murphy (Slam Insider). Recommend searching You Tube for Warren Smith's video blog/footage (search under "cycle slam 2012"). I use a Garmin Edge 800 and have found it invaluable on training rides, the Slam itself and actually reviewing routes/data from Sunday rides with the Evesham Wheelers. I trust you have enjoyed the blog, I'll endeavour to keep it going with various ride updates. You still have a little time to sponsor at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RobertNewrick

Stage 5 day 4 (18th May)

Ashford to Stratford, London (62 miles). Last day of the Slam & the rider count swelled to approx 140 today with competition winners and some previous stage riders joning us. Photo call outside the Halfords store before the start with Lawrence & Freddie. Group 3 rolled again and headed towards the North Downs via country lanes, single tracks, school traffic & the occasional climb. Nothing that compared to the climb that was Vigo Hill, now that was steep at approx 20% gradient at the top. Some of the more peaceful country lanes were home to some lovely houses and we were blessed with another dry day. Group 3 had separated on the climbs and once again I rolled alone to the lunch stop at the Skoda garage in Dartford. The excitement of the last day was really starting to build. Unfortunately for Group 3 we had to wait to get Lee's first puncture of the Slam repaired (or rather tyre replaced). Cycling to the Woolwich ferry was difficult given the number of cyclists mixed in with London traffic. Can't say I enjoyed it really. We amassed to cross via the Woolwich ferry together ready for the final few kilometres as we headed for the finish line. With the Discovery helicopter filming from above we made our way towards the Westfield shopping centre, next to the new Olympic stadium. What a feeling. Honks on car horns lead to cheers from approx 400 people at the finish. Had a looped finish and spotted my Dad with his camera at the ready. The Core Riders held back as we held our bikes on rear wheels creating a form of arch or wheel(s) of honour for them to pass through. Felt quite emotional and it was great being greeted by Sarah and my parents, big hugs all round! Needless to a glass of Champagne was not too far away! The Stage was rounded off by watching the Amlin Euro Challenge Cup final at the Stoop and a trip on the pitch at half time as Lawrence was interviewed. A great way to finish the week, even though Jonny Wilkinson's Toulon side could not overcome the strength of Biarritz, in the all French final. The stats: rode 336 miles ridden in 21 hours 41 minutes with a total average speed 15.7mph, burning 18,617 calories and rode approx 95 miles solo on a Boardman Team Carbon. Thanks to Halfords for the opportunity to raise £2,863 and experience something which will never be forgotten. Looking forward to 5th & 12th July when Discovery Channel will be showing the programme at 9pm (2 parts). What's next for me....maybe a ride up Mont Ventoux in August?!

Stage 5 day 3 (17th May)

St.Quentin to Roubaix (77 miles). Another 7am start..ouch! Roger Hammond joined the Slam today. Ex pro and Paris-Roubaix specialist. Although Welly introducing him as Roger Taylor was an obvious candidate for a fine later tonight! Group's pace was strong again and took its toll within 15kms for me. A beautiful day, albeit a little crisp to start with. A tail wind for most of the morning was greatly appreciated & loved the ride by myself. Good pace at approx 27kph, I think, til lunch at 65kms. Made a decision to take a longer lunch break and let the remainder of Group 3 go. The ride afterwards was a notch slower, although gave an opportunity to speak to other riders. 10-15 miles later, I took an opportunity to roll on again and lead a group onto the 3kms section of cobbles or pave. No sign post or warning, and not helped by a van pulling out and then stopping just in front of us! Could not have prepared for the experience that was endured for the next bone jarring 3kms! Took a bit of getting used to and even the "smoother" bits in the gutter were as rough as! Proper hard core and huge respect for the professional riders who race over 65kms of pave during the Paris-Roubaix at 40kph+! Rolled hard to the velodrome & what a 2 laps on the banking. We were privileged to use the same shower blocks as the Pro riders, each changing cubicle has a brass plaque with a previous winners name. History itself... and in my case Fabien Cancellara (2006). Had a nice chat with Roger Hammond, having admired his bike he rode on today. The coach journey to Lille was certainly memorable: Bollie, Bohemian Rhapsody & lots of head banging! A quieter transfer by Eurostar to Ashford followed. Heard Sarah's & the girls' voices for the first time since leaving, nothing fills the heart quite like it. Great to see everyone at Pizza Express as they hosted what was another great night on the Slam. Unsurprisingly another early start in the morning! Not sure how that alarm clock has survived so far! Last day tomorrow, how quickly this has passed so far.

Stage 5 day 2 (16th May)

Chalons s/ Champagne to St.Quentin (98 miles). The 2nd day brought better weather and something very different from the start....Graeme & Lee on the tandem, which they had modified to have a circular bar tray attached to the front handlebars. The tray had 9 holes drilled out to hold plastic champagne flutes! Graeme & Lee had additional attire over their cycling gear, namely white shirts & bow ties: suitable for serving Bollie I think! We were the last Group to start and not long into the morning we had the Discovery van for company, filming & providing a little shelter from the minor head wind. The pace was still quite strong this morning. We were told last night that the route would change slightly to accommodate Group shots on the steps at Bollinger, about 30kms into the ride, in Ay. Shortly afterwards Graeme cracked open a bottle of Bollie and passed on a glass to each of us in the Group. Nice touch. Although it wasn't the first bottle of the day...one broke whilst negotiating a bumpy crossroads and another was successfully distributed to some of the other Groups as we passed them on the way into Bollinger. I did say it was a fast Group! The glass went down a treat & was just finished before the biggest climb of the day. Scenery was a great deal better than yesterday and particularly when winding our way through the vineyards out of Ay. Made it to lunch with the Group intact but the first big hill afterwards, the parachute came out again! Couldn't quite hold onto the wheel in front and with less than 100m of the climb to go lost touch... Couldn't catch the tandem on the descent afterward, even when pedalling full boar. The next 50kms were spent rolling along by myself, enjoying the countryside, giving the thumbs up to passing support vehicles & still managing to keep decent enough pace to catch/pass other Groups. The food stop at 120kms allowed me to refuel & briefly catch up with my Group. However their pace was still strong, although giving them 100m head start didn't help! Caught up when the tandem had a puncture and stopped with the Group by side of road. Heard that "Limpet" had carried on. Poor John got the nickname from sticking to the tandem's rear wheel all morning. Got dropped again shortly after but rolled onto St.Quentin, catching a couple of other Groups on the way. We had stopped for about 15mins with the puncture, allowing others to pass by. Have to say that I loved today's ride. the morning with the film van was fun but managing to keep good pace by myself in the afternoon was really satisfying. Ate out en masse, with our Group sharing a table and a few glasses of Margaux! Good kitty management & Group this! Told that we would have a couple of laps at Roubaix velodrome to finish tomorrow's ride....well excited! Last night in France. Alarm set for 5.15am zzzzzzzz