The Great RNLI Ride-16th July.

We did it! Malcolm ( Mr Mechanic and all round engineer), Mark (with his strong family support groupies) and Craig (with Rachel and Louise at every feed station) and me (with roadie - vehicle support driver- and emotional support, Hilary). The highlights were rain all morning, strong winds all afternoon, and stinging sand along the seafront from Southbourne to Poole. This was topped by three punctures ( two to my tyres within 10 minutes of each other). As Rodney our RNLI Reading Branch Chairman said many times, "but you made it" and we did.

At 6.45 am we arrived at the start, along with our support team and video film maker, Bill. We were waved off and started well, arriving at our first two feed stations on time. We set off for the third in the rain. Then the going got tough. Our first puncture happened. We were sopping wet and got frozen in the time it took Malcolm to mend it. This and a hazardous cross country short cut added time to the journey. Our arrival time was so late that Hilary came out to find us . We had tried to use our mobiles to let our support team know all was OK but they had no reception. We arrived while Hilary was looking for us and then I got worried about Hilary. She had all the food and drink! Still we need not have worried. Our stop, The Mill Arms Dunbridge had all we needed. No! I mean, I was worried about Hilary and her safety. Rodney, Bridget and Pat were at the Mill Arms to give us encouragement..

We then battled the wind across the New Forest to arrive at The Red Shoot Inn, Linwood. It was like riding in the Tour de France. Even more so, as part way along the route Rodney, Bridget, Pat, Hilary, Rachel, and Louise stopped to cheer us from the side of the road. Luckily they did not run out and up the road with us but I had my Mark Cavendish moment as I raced for the imaginary line beside them and won with photos being taken.

At The Red Shoot Inn, I was chatted up by an older woman who offered us sponsorship without any prompting. Our RNLI Cycle shirts, which we were all wearing, caught her and her family's eye.

We then cycled south to Southbourne and it is at this point I gained my two punctures within 10 minutes of each other. Malcolm came into his own again with his mechanical skill. From Southborne we dropped down to the promenade and cycle against the wind and sand.

We left the prom and climbed our final hill before arriving at the RNLI College where we were greeted by our groupies, those mentioned in the blog and Mark's whole family - wife, children, mum and dad and a friend of one of the children. There were many photo calls in front of the RNLI statue and then we all had to go our separate ways. A bit of an anti climax.

A few of us stayed at the College which is a wonderful place with hotel facilities and views across the water. The final highlight of the day was at the end of Dinner. There was a Stag party on the next table. They had done a lot of wine tasting and Pat boldly asked if they wanted to sponsor us riders and they did to the tune of £45.

Anyone interested in Riding next year please let me know as I am trying to build this up into an even bigger event. I hope to place photos on to the bog over the next few days.