Strops, tea, cakes and bike shops…

“Breaking News”… following an ongoing row about sun cream, calf muscles and other irrelevant nonsense; Moe calling Chris a media tart and Chris responding with a quip about being a Prima Donna, both have now stropped off to their rooms and refuse to come out. It’s a serious situation and I’m not sure if they will be able to put all this behind them tomorrow. It really is touch and go at the moment whether or not they press on with the challenge. However, the show must go on and knowing that you blog fans can’t manage without your daily fix I thought I’d step into the breach and give you the perspective from the Support Driver… here goes then, my first blogging experience..

Another day, another Premier Inn. Unlike the other mornings of my trip this one started cold and grey, not conducive to getting up and getting on with it. Today was definitely going to be a day where the support driver’s job description of inspiring along the way was going to have to kick in. I started off by inspiring the boys with a motivational speech over breakfast of porridge and peanut butter (not together thankfully, although I was quite worried at one point).

Soon enough we were heading off to the Leeds office where a warm welcome was waiting for us. They had a fantastic day of events planned and the boys arrived to greet their public (it’s all getting to their heads to be honest.) There was an endless supply of tea and enough cake to feed an army. Those of you that know me will know that I’m partial to a piece of cake every now and then and there were some fine examples on display here, I’m definitely getting to like Yorkshire.

After a quick change of clothing to adjust for the cooler climes up north, 8 degrees this morning, we were off again and heading up the A something towards Harrogate. Not long after Bradford I had a call from Morris asking me to get a supply of knicker elastic for him, don’t ask, and off I went to get that and the sandwich order for later that day. Just as I was pulling into the supermarket car park I had a call from Chris to say that he had broken a spoke on his bike. Someone was looking down on us because only a mile or so up the road was Dave Rayner CycleSports Specialist Bike and Wheel Repair Shop. They did a quick fix and we were on our way again.

Next stop Northallerton and on the way I called into Ripon for a new tyre for one of the bikes after yesterdays adventure, the diversion turned out to be a bit of a waste of time as the shop couldn’t help and sent me to one in Northallerton, where I was due to meet C&M anyway. (In case you are following this and care, the bike shop in Northallerton had just the thing I was looking for – a 700 28 C touring tyre).

A further quick stop for jelly bean and chocolate supplies and we’re heading up the A167 towards Newcastle passing through Darlington and Durham. The sun broke through as the boys met me waiting in another lay by, this time at the Angel of the North. Spirits lifted somewhat as we stopped for a photo opportunity and realised that they are past the half way mark. Last stop tonight –The Premier Inn, Newcastle.

As I said at the beginning of this ramble, Moe and Chris are in an artistic strop and I really hope that I can get them going again tomorrow… I imagine a bit of persuasion along the lines of, “You can’t let your fans down, they’re expecting you at Seaton Burn.” Etc.. should do the trick. Roll on the 6.15am when the alarm will go off and another morning, another Premier Inn…

Stats of the day:
107 miles
14.1 mph average
38 mph top speed
4 mph bottom speed
1 mechanical hitch
5 lay-bys sat in
27 errands run
12 unfunny jokes laughed at