Day one from Danny!

I was awake at 5am to get to Whiteley for 6am to leave on our bikes at 6.30am. My wonderful wife dropped me off, wished me luck and then left me to face this mammoth task.

From Whiteley we popped down into Portsmouth where we met Barry Perkins (had to get a ferry from Isle of Wight, so couldn't get to work early enough). We then all waited for the slow group and had a mass photo on front of the Spinnaker Tower and HMS Warrior. This would be the last time the whole group would be together, until London.

I managed to take a selfie and tweet it at this point. The only reason I mention it is because taking a selfie with a BlackBerry phone is one of the most painful things I had to do on day 1.

The day group, consisting of Bazza, Al Cummings and some day riders, sped off into the distance, the plodders grouped together and the slow brought up the rear. Kerry Chambers had borrowed a bike to do the Whiteley to Brighton part but it was a mountain bike and looked like it weighed about 12 stone, so Jason Foyle and the slow gang were helping her along.

I met one of my old colleagues from Zurich en route in Shoreham as he had come out to cheer us on. Photo attached of me and the very bearded Mr Paul Sheridan.

The weather was great, the wind was behind us and all was good until Brighton, where we stopped for lunch. As the plodders arrived, the fast group were heading off. As the plodders left, the slow group arrived.

As we turned North to head towards London, the hills started. Just to get out of Brighton we had to face 8 miles of climbing. This was tempered by the ice cream at the top of Ditchling Beacon. Yum!

The afternoon was just hills, more hills and then one absolute beauty of a hill over the M25. Jeepers. People were falling off from losing momentum, there was a lovely 90 degree turn on the road just as it got stupid steep and this threw a few people.

One of the real downers of the day was getting to Crystal Palace. After climbing some horrible hills to get there we were all completely underwhelmed by the half ruin. Let's hope the other landmarks are more inspiring.

After some horrendous traffic riding in London we got our picture with the London Eye. Thanks to the member of public so had to risk life and limb in the middle of a busy road to take our picture. Then we reached the hotel, got washed and changed, ate some dinner and then crashed, hence I'm writing this at 5.30 am on Sunday morning. 124 miles done yesterday, only 109 today but the dreaded rain is due. No one likes the rain...

Things I saw today:

Lots of lambs
David Haigh riding into the back of a stationary vehicle at a junction
A day rider falling off up that stupid hill
How bad London taxi drivers really are
An Asian couple who had just got married (on Tower bridge)
A man cycling along with another fully grown man lying over his handlebars
A very fat Border Terrier (I have a Border Terrier, just not as fat as this one)
Great team work
Jason's dodgy orange cap, which he seems to want to wear everywhere
No punctures
Andre having to ride one-footed as his pedal broke (impressive work)

Things I didn't see, but heard about:
Hayley falling off after not clipping in properly, after walking up a small section of a hill
Darryl falling off up that stupid hill
John Connell riding straight into a bush
Darryl and Jonno ordering 2 main meals in the pub at night (tubbos)

Jason Foyle will be firing up his pedals!

First it's over to Jason, who is determined to make sure all bikers cross that 1000 mile finish line... including his wife, Hayley!  

1) What are you most looking forward to?

Sharing this experience with my wife who has decided to join the challenge this year.  After so many years of her supporting me from home, its nice to have her involved and sharing this wonderful experience together.

2) Is there anything you feel apprehensive about?

 My body! – Over the years I have put so many miles on my knees, backside and legs I'm starting to wonder when it will just give up and say “no-more” – oh the weather and day 1 also.

3) What motivated you to sign up for this challenge?

Raising money for the Trust year in and year out and seeing the difference we make.

4) Will you have a riding buddy? If so, who will it be and why?

Hayley, my wife – also I will ride with anyone at the back and have a laugh - laughter gets you through the pain - that's what I'm hoping!

5) What will raising money for Zurich Cares mean to you?

Being on the committee, I get to see where the money we raise goes to.   Therefore, raising this much will make such a huge difference to people less fortunate. 

6) If each rider was awarded a nick name, what would yours be and why?

Not too sure.  I've had lots of rude ones over the years.  If I had to choose, I would go for “The helper” as I seem to have a knack for getting people over the finish line!