Be a domestique for a day!
Sunday 15 July 2007. The 43rd and last day of the tour. On this final day, I'm hoping to make it a bit of a celebration. I've deliberately made the day a bit shorter than most and the pace will be a lot more gentle. I've already started tapping up some support to join me on some or all of the last day's cycling. It'd be great if you could join in too.
The itinerary
The final day starts in Boston and heads west to Grantham before heading south west into Leicester. If I’ve tempted you sufficiently so far, you need to know that there are three options. Option 1; the full day starting in Boston, is approximately 72 miles (of which the first 35 to Grantham are on some of the flattest terrain in the country). Option 2 (and the one that I imagine will be the more popular of the two) would require you to meet up with the full-dayers in Grantham. On top of it being a Sunday, I’ve chosen a deliberately quiet route so the total mileage to the Leicester branch is approximately 37 miles. Along the way there are definitely a few slopes; maybe even graduating to small sharp hills but nothing that a low-geared bike and a willing pair of legs can’t conquer. And remember, if there’s enough of us, you’d be able to shelter in the middle of the peleton! The detailed route is set out at the bottom of the week 6 itinerary . Option 3 is to ensure there's a decent sized group for the finish. We first enter the conurbation of Leicester at Scraptoft. The plan is for anyone who's not much of a cyclist but who wants to be involved, to meet at the top of the hill next to the church. From there, it is just 5 miles of easy riding (if anything, it's mainly downhil to be honest) to the finish.
Are you up to it?
If you like the idea but are put off because you think you might not make it or, worse, think you might fall off the back of the group, hopefully I can put your mind at rest. It’s not a race and I really hope that whoever takes part, we can stick more or less together. The pace will be dictated by the slowest rather than the quickest riders. That said, I’d ask that you are realistic in what you and whatever bike you plan to use (needless to say, we’re not providing the bike) can achieve. Riding in a group is easier than on your own so, as a rough guide, if you can cycle for two hours on your own without taking the next day off work through fatigue, you should be OK for option 2. But if you’re still not sure, please leave a message for me in the guest book and include a contact number so I can give you a call.
The timetable
As I said before, the schedule is a lot easier paced than what I have been setting myself so far. So for those doing option 1, the plan is to gather outside the Boston branch (where there is loads of room to congregate) ready to depart at 10am. Depending on wind direction and speed (if I’ve learnt one thing since preparing for this event, it’s that this aspect of the weather can massively dictate the schedule) as well as the ability of the overall group, I estimate we should take between 2 and 3 hours to get to Grantham. Building in a further half an hour’s slack means we leave Grantham at 1:30pm at the latest (although I’d like to ask those that are starting here to be ready to leave at 1pm). I think the second leg (which I know already includes some less experienced cyclists) to Scraptoft on the outskirts of Leicester (ie. 32 miles) will take between two and a half and three and a half hours. So if the option 3ers are ready to leave at 3:30pm (and someone will be on hand to warn them if we're significantly behind schedule by this stage). For anyone that wants to wave us in at the finish, expect us from any time after 4pm.
Further logistics
Wardens (though they won’t thank me for this title) linked by mobile phones will be strategically positioned in Boston, Grantham and Leicester at the appropriate times. If the problem you have is getting your bike to or from one or other location, please let me know as, once we’ve got a handle on the size of the problem, we should be able to do something about it.
Registering
I’ve no idea (yet) what the rules are concerning the size of events and whether the organiser has to inform anybody. To try to avert any problems of this nature, I’m asking that you register if you want to take part (and in so doing I will know who is coming). Please leave me a message in the guest book and supply me with the following information: name, contact phone number if possible, whether you plan to start in Boston, Grantham or Scraptoft, how you heard of this event (eg. Samaritan volunteer, friend, friend of a friend etc.), anything else I should have mentioned. I want to charge an entry fee to Option 1 or 2 of £5 (although I’ll consider waiving this if this is the only thing stopping you from volunteering). The fee, in addition to creating something of a commitment, will cover the cost of your T-shirt (we’ll all be wearing green jerseys – well t-shirts – however poor at sprinting we may be) which is £4. The remaining £1 will pay for your testosterone patch (sorry – just kidding) be added to the sum raised for Samaritans. I’ll also send you a sponsorship form in case you want to raise funds yourself. I’ll collect the money, somehow, nearer the time.