Days 6/7 - That London

Well, what a day that was. We tried to start early(ish), to make our way to Millwall FC, incidentally the only London club to participate in our challenge, but I faffed with my bike a while, then Andy picked up a puncture before we had even left the compound. Consequently we were a little late in getting away. We made excellent time through Abbington and beyond into some really nice countryside. A short stop for lunch just past Wallingford also presented us with a problem. As I tried to get back on my bike I felt a sharp, stabbing pain in my right quad, really painful. I initially thought that I had really done some damage and that I even might be unable to ride, but after some stretches and a massage by Phil, it calmed down again and I was able to continue. We eventually mad our way to Henley on Thames via a fantastic extended decent which went on for miles and we average upper 20s mph temporarily. After a 99 by the river it was payback time. The climb out of Henley was really quite tough and just kept on going up. We made it to the top and began a slowly descend into Slough. Slough, a very long and seemingly unending town that consists of industrial estates and dual carriage-ways. We were pretty glad to pass through and out the other side.

At this point we met up with Phil again and took on loads of food before heading past Heath Row and into London. Our first stop was Kew Gardens which we managed to blag our way for a photo opportunity against the backdrop of main glass house.  Next we headed further into town, taking in Hyde Park Corner, Buckingham Palace and St. James’ Park, where we had coffee.

It was shortly after that we went along to Downing Street and Andy got it into his head that we should ask to have a photo session in front of the door of No.10. Surprisingly they did not say ‘no’, instead he was given the number  of the press office, to ring in the morning. Time was now pressing on and we still had to get across London to Peckham and find the Millwall FC ground. We crossed Westminster Bridge, stopping for pictures against the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament, then set off in ernest for the Den.

After some more high intensity urban cycling, we finally arrived at our destination around 7:30. The original plan was to visit on Sunday and simply to stand in front of the stadium with the shirt (already supplied), there would be nobody around from the club. As luck would have it things turned out rather differently. Mike popped in to reception and shortly after emerged to say that not only could we get access to the pitch for photos, we had been offered a plate of chicken and chips in the club canteen. Result! We stayed well over an hour at the Den. The food was excellent, washed down with a pint, then we took lots of pictures, on the pitch (well, the edge) and in the changing rooms. So we would like to say a big thank you to .......... and all the staff at Millwall FC for their support and generosity.

Given the late hour and the fact that we didn’t have the Grove Park TA centre on the Garmin, we all piled in the minibus and Phil drove us to our overnight accommodation. We were (understandably, in my opinion) pretty whacked out. I fact I fell asleep during my massage, something which would appear to been viewed with some amusement. Mike is still having trouble with his knee even though he is no longer using clipless pedals, Andy as ever seems fit as a fiddle, although I think even he was tired. We were all tucked up by midnight.

Abbingdon TA Center

Wallingford

Henly on Thames (photo by John Henry)

Slough

Heath Row

Kew Gardens (photo by Sue S)

St. James' Park

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace

(photo by Brian)

Negotiations at Downing Street

Westminster Bridge (photos by Hie)

(more pics tomorrow folks)

Sunday - Day 7 - 

First thing, Andy was on the blower to the No. 10 press office and after some intense negotiations and a couple of bucket loads of his now infamous charm, he managed to win them over. We were given a time slot of 12 noon for a photo op outside No. 10. The problem was that we were due at ASDA Old Kent Road at 11:00 and then we had to navigate back across to Westminster. From what began as a relaxed start to the day quickly degenerated into panic. The traffic was pretty bad (London) and so it transpired that we weren’t dropped of back at the Den until after 11:00. A short ride to ASDA, a quick but intense photo shoot, then a high speed dash across London. In the end we made Westminster in around 15 mins, with 10 mins to spare. So Andy, I take my hat off to you. We took loads of pictures. Eventually, we had to leave.

Next we moved off Trafalgar Square for a drink and a snack. The weather was superb but getting really warm. We were having such a great day in London that we found it difficult to leave, but around 3pm we at last set off for Aldershot.

I am going to sign off now, as we are leaving soon to visit Aldershot Town FC, ASDA Farnborough and hopefully Help for Heroes HQ. I will pick up the story from this point in the next post, which may not be until tomorrow morning. I promise to post more pics as well...