Beechy's - - - - - Bike Blog

Muscle Bound!

2008-06-24T13:45:00.000-07:00

Ever seen a 90* degree calf muscle?!
900 miles of pure graft. You can sponsor this muscle - they're still collecting!
see the justgiving link.

photo taken & posted by
The Office Team at CVM honest says Carl

Made it!!

2008-06-23T02:13:00.000-07:00

Txt received 5pm Sunday-
"Made it 1800 french time - yeeha!"

Imagine after 80 miles up hill - 20 miles of this !!

The pain says it all

Col de la Croix de Fer

The Squad

Will fill in the bits I missed off - back later...
I need a long sleep
Carl

Day 6

2008-06-19T01:58:00.000-07:00

Day 6 - Thursday 19th June
mobile call 4pm -
"I'm at the top of Col de la Crux de Fer - took 4 hours solid climb, the heat is unbearable and I finished 8 litres of water. Beautiful up here on the snow - and it's downhill for 25 miles now!!"

"The guys are doing really well - at the limit of their physical endurance, but working together as a Band of Brothers - getting on really well and helping each other out. This is busting a gut to raise money stuff!"

"One of the team has been quite sick from exhaustion - so pray for us all please."

"Oh yeah on that front- Knee doing well. Had a call from a friend who prayed for it - 10 mins later - it felt great!"

Txt Blog sent 7.20am
Today is harder still with 80 miles and one col of 20 miles to climb. Am sore, tired, aching but pressing on!
Alp d'Huez tomorrow! Carl

Yesterday (Wednesday) climbed 2 cols, Colombiere, a severe category 1 climb of 18 miles and Col de Thamies, a category 2 climb all in 80 mile ride.

Day 4 and 5

2008-06-18T03:07:00.000-07:00

Day 4 - Tuesday 17th June
We made 130 miles to Geneva over the Jura Mountains
Passed Ski resorts and everything.

It was nearer 15,000 feet of climbing.
Very tired.
Very painful right knee

Day 5 - Today message at 11am – we have 80 miles to do and are going over Columbiere - I'm looking at it now(It's Big). Have been through Switzerland already this morning.

Too tired to send a photo last night. Sorry. Will try again tonight but it’s exhausting.
Can’t get the heart to slow down… it’s racing even at night and it’s hard to sleep.
Thanks for the support guys!

Day 3 and 4

2008-06-17T03:26:00.000-07:00

Day 3 - Monday 128 miles.
Really hilly, weather awful, some of the team aren't sleeping too well because of bone and muscle ache. It's tough work.

Day 4 - Tuesday
(mobile call from Carl)
"Plan is to climb the Jura Mountains and arrive in Geneva. That's 10,000ft of climbing. I'll send some photos to post on the blog tomorrow ."

Days 1 and 2

2008-06-16T02:52:00.000-07:00

Day 1 - (txt received from Carl to say) - 121 miles completed!

Day 2 - rode 146 very tough, cold, wet, hilly miles. 8 guys had to quit 30 miles from the end due to the cold and long mileage. Thankfully my legs held out and I made it! Must be the prayers and the nutra grain bars :)

Need to grab some pasta asap!

Cheers All
Beechy

Saturday 14th - Sunday 22nd June Calais - Nice

2008-06-16T02:21:00.000-07:00

On Saturday morning, 16 of us headed off on our epic challenge.

Our Aim: to cycle across France, from Calais to Nice, going along the spine of the Alps and raising sponsorship.

We are averaging over 100 miles per day for 9 days (that includes the mountains)!

Recent calculations show it’s nearer to 70,000 feet of climbing to include the legendary and gruelling summits of Alp d’Huez and the Galibier.

As with last years End to End Challenge, we are raising money for the Kings Foundation http://www.kingsfoundation.org/

The team are aiming to raise over £20,000 to support the ongoing work with the children in Botswana.

Find out more and encourage us by leaving a message and sponsoring the team by going to http://www.justgiving.com/calaisnicealpinechallenge
Please pray for the team, that God touches lives here, in France and in Africa.
Thanks for the interest!
Beechy