We'd all done nearly 300 miles in 3 days, but felt surprisingly good & with only 60 or so miles to go, spirits where high. The only dampener on the horizon was Vigo hill - an 18% climb over about a mile with 20+% in places - you can tell i was looking forward to that!! I was determined to do my best & as long as my knees let me - I'd give it a go!
Out of Ashford, then, about 7:25am and into the lanes of Kent which look remarkably like Dorset lanes, especially when we were continually passed by Range Rovers and the road surface wasn't much better!!
Vigo Hill appeared before us, having passed under the M26 & I took it as steady as I could - It is mind over matter & somehow I got relief from my knee pain & steadily & surely made it up the monster of the hill - fantastic! After a brief rest, we headed down the other side - resting our legs & then hammered onto the lunch stop at the Skoda Garage in Dartford. Our last time in our groups then took us to Woolwich, where we, eventually, piled onto the ferry & crosseed the Thames.
Once across we rode on mass to Stratford - which was a challenging experience - although we did blitz through quite a number of red lights along the way!
What joy to reach the end & see Linsey & Sam & Jack as i approached capped a great week! Luke was at Lords & hit is first 2 sixes at Lords in the lunch interval while playing Quick Cricket!
We made a guard of honour for Lawrence & Freddie and saw the 2 immensely talented, humble and likeable sportsmen across the line. The money raised is fantastic but there's still abit to go to get to the £2,012,000. I spoke to both Lawrence and Rachael Flintoff along the way about the work they do with their foundations and it really is inspiring! If you're reading this and feel at all inspired then please add one more donation to www.virginmoneygiving.com/AndyNeill & i'll be extremely grateful.
Thanks for your support - until next time............
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