It was incident free (apart from the cyclist, the police, the closed campsites and restaurants, the snake (I almost forgot), the Sat Nav in London, the 2 punctures and the wind when it was against). Even after a few days back, I have no aches or pains, just tired. There were a few times when I did ask why?, but the e-mails of encouragement from my children soon snapped me out of any of those thoughts!
Would I do it again? Yes, but in a group - someone to share the workload into the wind, someone to share the map reading and someone to talk to.
The best bit - apart from coming home, the descent off the Pyrenees.
The worst bit - the 190 miles in France directly into the head wind.
The hardest bit - getting through London.
The easier than expected bit - the climb through the Pyrenees.
The best roads have to be in Spain - clean, smooth, wide, bike friendly & no cars.
The worst roads - Stockport. Some of the biggest climbs were out of the pot-holes on the last day!
The best campsites - in the UK. They were OPEN and cheaper.
More importantly, a big THANK YOU to all my family, friends and colleagues that have sponsored my charity fund raising effort - Thanks again
Stats
1170 miles (1884 kilometres)
14.7 mph (23.66 kph) average speed
44.4 mph (71.50 kph) maximum speed
79 hours 32 minutes cycling
Sponsorship
Geoff Thomas Foundation.. - Target £2,000 - Raised so far £2,520
Alzheimer's Society............ - Target .. £ 750 - Raised so far £1,760
Total................................. - Target £2,750 - Raised so far £4,280
Thanks go to......
*... Rod Heyhoe for the support on the challenge as 'coach', cook, hotelier, driver and everything else you had to put up with! I couldn't have done it without you
*... Rachel (my wife) for letting me do it
*... Rebecca & Matthew (the kids) for being good while I was off.
*... Graham Weaver (Steria - my boss) for his support and sponsorship (and not saying 'no' at the start!)
*... Tim Jorgensson (Steria) for his support in promoting the challenge and updating the blog on my behalf late at night
*... Tim Difford & Stephanie Ward (both Steria) for their support with 'dress down', book club, other communication activities.... and the finish
*... Sarah Darbey (Steria) for co-ordinating the wider Steria communications
*... Jaime Gutierrez (Steria) for coming into the Madrid office on a Saturday
*... Geraldine Merret (Steria) for co-ordinating events in Paris
*... Eve Grant (Steria) for co-ordinating events in Hemel
*... Pam Griffiths (Steria) for co-ordinating events at Manchester Parkway
*... And finally all my colleagues at Steria for the support, best wishes and congratulations
The sponsors
Steria.... - Thanks again Graham
SIS........ - Great energy products 
Endura.. - Great kitWhat's next?...... a few days rest and then the Original Source Mountain Mayhem 24hr mountain bike race on June 20th/21st...... and then start thinking about the next challenge........ (I really must be a MADMAN!)
