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From the Road Part 3 • 03/03/2010

Last night was quite dramatic! I was asked after my quite hilly ride in the day to get back on the bike 3 hrs after I had got off. So I struck up a deal that if I did the shift that I would get a solid 8 hours rest before the next ride. I went and psyched myself up by sitting quietly in my bunk and having a chat with Matthew who told me that I could do it and his faith helped get me back up and into gear again.

I was riding alongside Richard again who decided to give me the score before we started. He told me it was going to be quite hilly, undulating up and down, nothing too serious but there was going to be a  1.5km pretty steep uphill followed by a very very steep downhill.  This was in a bid to give me a chance to work out how to approach it rather than going to fast too early.

It turned out to be pretty hilly so I saved my energy but right at the end there was a sequence that was so hard I was out of my saddle for the whole thing and I was making sounds that were so loud that they sounded like I was giving birth! I saw the lights up ahead and focused on the brow of the hill and convinced myself that it was the buses only to discover when I got there that it was the less steep bit before the aforementioned steep section! The relief at the top was immense I felt so relieved and couldn’t wait to get into my bunk.

The drama of the night was that the bus that we are travelling in had broken down! So they had to drive me back to the rest of the non cyclists to join up with them and wait for the emergency services. We we’re all really worried that it was going to put us back and that we would lose time. It was all quite emotional after the hardwork and I was so tired I crashed out and when I woke up the bus had been temporarily fixed so the panic was over.

I was back on between 10 – 12 this morning and got 30 miles covered. After that I caught up with David Walliams and the newly arrived Jimmy Carr. David is pretty wrecked, this morning he went out and did twice what I did over much steeper hills. I know that he found some of it really hard including managing to fall UP a hill! That’s how steep it was but he’s being a real trooper.

Jimmy has arrived and is eagerly getting involved although no-one warned him about chaffing. Bad news Jimmy’s bottom is cut to shreds but he’s proven to be much tougher than we thought – he’s a strong cyclist and his fresh energy has lifted all our spirits and morale.

At the moment I’m sat with Russell (he says hi!) I’m off out at 11pm and I have 2 full rides left and one where we are going to cycle as a team and I really think I can do it! There is light at the end of the tunnel and even though I’m hurting like Hell I know I can do it with the support of the team and you guys.

The money being raised is brilliant so please keep sponsoring  - I’ll update you again tomorrow!

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  • You guys are amazing.

    When I first saw this challenge it sounded quite easy (!) - it's only when you see the details that the reality kicks in - 1,000 miles, 24 hours (no rest!), hills and conditions like -15C!!

    90% of swimmers that attempt the Channel fail - so David's no pushover but even he looks knackered today.

    I really hope everyone is texting BIKE to 70005 or giving directly - you are earning it.

    Onwards all,
    Tom.
    Tom Ball
  • well done u have all most finished i have been watching u and all the team on the tracker map on the website
    fiona stock
  • Davina, heard you on Moyles' show this morning and just wanted to say I think you're doing amazing. Not long to go now, and your loving family will be waiting for you when you get home! Much love, and all the support and best wishes in the world! x
    Alice Purkiss
  • I can't believe how amazingly all of you are doing. This is an epic feat! And thank you for finding time to post Davina, great to see how you're doing. Me & all the family hoping to spot you all and cheer you on in the last leg. See you later! Keep going you fabulous people, almost there!! Will keep pimping the sponsor site to all and sundry. :D xx
    The Cornish Pascoes
  • Well done Davina....you're a star!!!
    Joe
  • Very proud of you. you are heading to the land of milk, honey and CLOTTED CREAM mmmm .Going Home now honey !! You can all do it. Well done , fantastic XXX
    kay chandler
  • Push on through Davina the light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer all the time! Have been tracking you on gps and literally cannot believe how fast you are all travelling! Two full rides left...that's 2 more lots of sponsorship-I text every time you ride! You can do it-you are not alone-the entire nation is cycling alongside you! You and the rest of the team are an inspiration to us all! Lots of love! Xx
    MissDebbie2010
  • Well done to all of you - watched Russell coming in and Miranda setting off last night just before you crossed the border. Poor Russell looked exhausted, but just think of the children! Best of luck for the last of the journey, you're all doing fab.
    Jamie Johnstone
  • so you cycled through my village last nigh well David did and we waited up tell 1 in the morning to show are support at the road side with a camp fire jst before the Kirkstone pass we would of loved to of seen you all and cheerd you on but it was gr8 just to c David sorry to hear the pass took him out ut at least he got over good luck to you all althe best em xxx
    Emily
  • Just a quick message to say that what you're doing is fantastic, and that our IT company fully supports you
    rejuvenate- group.co.uk
    Chris from Rejuvenate
  • I will be at Lands End to clap you all home! The Cornish are anticipating your arrival at about 3pm, so we shall make sure the sun is shining as you cycle down the A30!! Goodluck to you all! See you tomorrow Davina!! Love Simon xxx
    Jonezy
  • Hi Davina/Team
    I just wanted to drop you a message of support.
    I am a keen cyclist and fully understand what you are all going through.
    Considering the amount of time you have had to prepare I think you are all doing an amazing job.
    Keep it up!!
    Not to far now!!!

    PS I have ridden Kirkstone Pass in the lakes many times and the descent is a little scary in the daylight never mind the dark!!
    Craig Middleton
  • Fantastic effort from you and the rest of the guys and gals. Really admire the effort going into this trip and have been tracking the progress as you head south.

    Hope you have a good night's peddling through the west country, hopefully it won't be a cold night but I'm sure the locals will try to provide a warm welcome.

    Keep going you're nearly there!! :o) x
    Jeremy Gahagan
  • Davina it sounds absolutely horrendous!!! So impressed that you're still in such good spirits. Well done to you and the rest of the team for such a fantastic achievement xxx
    Jodie Calvert
  • You may not see us by the roadside but we are all behind you- next time your struggling on the bikes imagine we are there giving you a push! Very proud of you all and hope your target is achieved. . . Now 'on your bike' (in the nicest possible way) x x x
    Amanda Etchells
  • Just wanted to say well done to all you guys, apart from being rather envious as I'm a keen (fair weather) cyclist myself I have been wondering what it must be like to tackle the kind of length rides I might take on 1-3 times per week only a few hours after the last. Such a great and inspirational effort, I bet it's thoroughly knackering but beautiful and thrilling at the same time.

    Brilliant effort all, keep on peddlin', the end is in sight very soon, I know you'll make it and the million easily!!

    Go team!!

    David from Northampton
    David Walton
  • Davina you have done such a brilliant job - the whole team have been a real inspiration. Keep going - you're nearly there! I bet you can't wait to hear how much you have all raised. Well done xx
    Sam
  • I just don't know how your all doing it.I think your a great inspiration for us all.gd luck with last two rides.think ur a star xxxx
    Claire Goodall
  • Great reading , keep up the fab work , just donated some more cash for you all
    Andy Robinson
  • You lot are amazing - I cannot begin to imagine how tough it must be! And you also find time to write your blog!! There is now light at the end of this very long tunnel,keep going!!
    Fiona
  • Go Davina, you can do it! Think of getting home to Matthew and your beautiful kids when it's really tough tonight. We're supporting you xxxxx
    Claire
  • Keep up the good work Davina, I actually CANNOT stop smiling because ur doing so well. Well, of you are. woohoo !! I bet Matthew and Kids are so proud of there Mummy and Wifey ! Doing everyone proud. * Ivana Dance *
    Keep it up, doing brill!
    Love youuuu
    Erin xxxx
    Erint91
  • Keep going Davina your doing amazing!!
    daniela
  • Pain is Temporary Pride is Forever - Lance Armstrong.
    I did LEJOG last summer, took me 19 days, lost 10 stone after gastric band surgery. Best wishes. Dr Chris Oliver christopheroliver.bl ogspot.com
    Dr Chris Oliver
  • Sounds horrendous, even worse than last night's epic ride. You are all doing brilliantly and with such style. Take Care !! M
    Mary Horak
  • Well done Davina you're doing so well and everyone is so proud of everything you and the team are doing! You can do it!! GO get them girl!! x
    Lisa McDonagh
  • GO DAVINA GO!

    Your are doing an amazing job!
    Ashleigh
  • What an horrendous ordeal and how courageous. It sounds worse than the previous night's freezing weather. I have no doubts that you will do it and do it in style. Well done to all of you. Take care!!!
    maryhorak
  • well done davina keep it up your doing great !!!!
    ali young
  • Brilliant work all of you, been following you on Twitter and Live GPS on the website, said it on Twitter Il say it again you lot make us proud to be British and show that us British always raise to the Challenge X
    Wayne Clinton

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