Hello all,

I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who sponsored me for the “4 Parks 4 Days” cycle challenge.  You’ll be pleased to hear you got ‘good value for money’, as I cycled 260 miles in four days rather than the promised 126 miles in two days. 

 

I would be grateful if you could dig deep into your pockets, and donate now.  Please, please, please, tell your friends and family about me, and what I did to give seriously ill, disabled and disadvantaged children the chance to have a magical experience through Merlin’s Magic Wand.    

 

 Day 1- We all met at Thorpe Park.  Introductions took place and before you know it we were quickly whisked off for a quick ride on Stealth.  I'll be honest, I didn't go on Stealth in fear that I might be sick and legless before the cycle challenge had even begun.  By 11:30am, we departed Thorpe Park.  The first thirty minutes it would appear we were going around in circles, as we kept on seeing signs to Thorpe Park.  It turns out we were lost hence we called this part of the ride 'The Thorpe Loop'.  Eventually, we got back on track and by early afternoon we were mentally preparing ourselves for the infamous climb up Box Hill.  However, before getting to Box Hill we had to climb a very steep North Crock Road.  This hill is not for the faint-hearted, and actually made Box Hill feel easy.  We eventually arrived at Chessington World of Adventures Resort at 16:45, later than planned. 

Total distance covered: 52 miles (5 miles more than scheduled due to slight detour in the morning!).

Highlight: Box Hill climb being easy.

 

Day 2 -  We departed a very chilly Chessington World of Adventures Resort at 8:30am.  The first two hours of the day were by far the hardest part of the ride, I could not feel my fingers nor feet…..which made pedaling and braking very difficult.  Thankfully, we were 'warmly' greeted at Legoland.  We couldn't stay for long as we had a lot of miles to cover in one day.  By lunchtime, the weather (and possibly flu) was too much for one of our support riders so he departed the group.  With only one support rider and three Merlin employees remaining, we continued our journey until quite literally the sun went down in Milton Keynes.

Total distance covered: 83 miles (4 miles more than scheduled due to another Garmin detour).

Highlight: Meeting Red Brick at Legoland.  I later learnt, there was no 'Yellow Brick'.....road.

 

The story was meant to end here but I decided to go the extra mile or two, or in my case one hundred and thirty four miles. 

 

Day 3 – On Sunday 16th October at 9am we departed Milton Keynes.  It was another chilly morning but this time we were better prepared for the cold weather, although I had to do a bit of lateral thinking.  Since I only had fingerless gloves, I ended-up using my first aid gloves.  Admittedly, I looked like a smurf dressed in lycra but they kept my fingers warm.  Look out for photos of me wearing blue gloves!  Today seemed to drag on forever, road kill was becoming a normal sight, and legs were beginning to hurt.  Later that afternoon, we arrived in Hinckley, Leicestershire.  We stayed in a hotel, which to our surprise, the rooms were huge.  This was just what we needed but things only got better.  We found out that Melinda, our Merlin Charity Support Manager, is a qualified massage therapist.  Melinda didn't hesitate to give each rider a massage, we truly needed it.  Thank you.

Total distance covered: 67 miles (2 miles more than scheduled and a recorded top speed of 176mph, another Garmin error?)

Highlight:  Our support team overheard guests at the hotel saying we were a professional cycling team.

 

Day 4 - Last day in the saddle.  Everyone was hurting in some way or another, but we knew we were so close to the finish line.  There was no doubt in anyone's mind that we were going to make it to Alton Towers, it was just a question of what state were we going to arrive in.  Todays ride was all about country lanes, and trying to find somewhere to eat.  Everywhere seemed to be closed, and no one seemed to be around except the cleaner.  Eventually, we found somewhere.  After lunch, and for the first time, it started to rain.  We only had 10 miles to go so it didn't bother us at all.  We could all sense we weren't far from Alton Towers, but I forgot about the steep climb to get there.  After 259 miles of being in the saddle we then had to dig deep and climb this hill.  In the faint distance I could hear screams, and the chains of a rollercoaster.  Everytime I heard those sounds, it made me pedal faster and faster.  The next thing you know, we saw a sign pointing towards the main entrance of Alton Towers.  We had cycled 260 miles, and visited 4 Parks in 4 Days.

Total distance covered: 58 miles (no detours this time)

 Highlight: Completing the cycle challenge with two very gutsy and determined Merlin employees: Julie Steadman, and Michael Finlay.

 

Hello All,

 

It’s not often you hear a first aider (and personal trainer) shouting for help, but I am now.  I need YOU to spread the word that there is a “4 Parks 4 Days” cycle challenge taking place next week.  The challenge involves cycling from Thorpe Park to Chessington World of Adventures, Chessington World of Adventures to Legoland, and Legoland to Alton Towers.  In total, 375 miles will be covered over four days.  Ordinarily, this is a challenge in itself.  However, I have stepped in for someone who couldn’t do the ride.  Therefore, the biggest challenge is that I have less than one week to raise £1,000’s for Merlin’s Magic Wand. 

 

For those of you who don’t know me, or who have managed to escape a trip to the first aid centre at Chessington World of Adventures and not get bullied by me in the gym at Nuffield Health,  I am very passionate about cycling.  I own a bike which won the Tour de France last year although I’ll be honest, I wasn’t the person cycling on it!  It weighs a mere 7.6kg, and is worth more than my car.  I am your typical cyclist....I wear bright fluorescent lycra! 

 

As I have volunteered at such short notice, I only intend to cycle from Thorpe Park to Chessington World of Adventures (Friday 14 October) and Chessington World of Adventures to Legoland (Saturday 15 October).  I will endeavour to do more, but I don’t want to promise.  Rest assured, I’ll be cycling at least 126 miles in two days.

 

Please, please, please, tell your friends and family about me, and what I’m doing to give seriously ill, disabled and disadvantaged children the chance to have a magical experience through Merlin’s Magic Wand.  This is not just about raising money, but about raising awareness of this fantastic charity.

I would be grateful if you could dig deep into your pockets, and donate now.

Thanking you in advance.

Liz:-)