ACCR DAY 5

Some heavy discussion first thing this morning about the weather which had been torrential rain for most of the night - do we wait for better weather or push on- final decision was to push on and if the rain was too bad we would stop and look for a camp site. As it turned out Jason and i did half of todays ride in heavy rain. Totally soaked to the skin we arrived at Chateau Briant where Dave had booked us into the municipal site. The sun came out and it was hot enough to dry out most of our wet clothes while we checked our bikes over (see photo). John managed to complete 39 miles today which was good considering his recent injury. However in doing so he suffered a broken spoke but we managed to get it repaired in the town for only 2e. We ate a meal al fresco this evening before turning in for a well earned nights sleep. Oh and before i forget Dave had to buy a new tent yesterday because his was leaking badly.

ACCR DAY 4

Very heavy rain today. We found a bike shop that was open and Jason had his wheel repaired and i also had mine re- balanced just to be on the safe side. We all spent some time in the town as we had decided that after yesterdays efforts we would have a rest day. Tomorrow we will need to push on again but we are all hoping for the weather to improve. ( And people say it always pains in England! The photo today shows the guy in the shop working on our wheels. Tonight we are having a meal in camp- cheese- wine - meats- bread etc . I just hope that this constant rain eases up .

ACCR DAY 3

A tough day. Jason and i battled against some of the strongest winds we have ever cycled in. Add to that torrential rain for a lot of the day plus some very long and enormous hills and we ended up totally wasted. When we arrived at Fougeres Jason found that he of had a broken spoke. We passed a bike shop on entering the town but it does not open till Tuesday. We are camped at the local municipal site and very nice it is.Great facilities quiet and only 4.50e. Tonight we all had a really good meal and Jason tried snails having never eaten then before. They were good though! As for tomorrow we have some various plans but no decision will be made till then. Jasons wheel is buckled so he cannot ride with that and the broken spoke. It maybe that we end up making tomorrow a rest day. I will keep you all informed. John has spent the day in the broom wagon with Dave and is still limping badly.

ACCR DAY 2

John woke up this morning with severe cramp. This would not clear and John was in agony so Dave had to take him to hospital. It was thought it could be a blood clot but after tests it was decided it was a torn muscle. All this and he has not been on his bike yet. He needs at least 24hrs rest so its the broom wagon for him for a day or two. Jason and i have completed day 2 as planned and the entire team are all back together and we are camped at Granville just north of Mont St Michel. It is now raining heavily as can be seen in the picture of our wet tents in camp. The site is right on the coast.

ACCR DAY 1

Arrived in Cherbourg Ok- camped not far from ferry port. . Getting ready for the big push south tomorrow- our D DAY:.

ACCR DAY 1

Waiting to board the ferry.

ACCR-Almost Ready.

The bike has been serviced and the brakes uprated. Tents- sleeping bag- general kit nearly all packed. I think John Dave and Jason are almost ready too. Tomorrow I have kept free for last minute jobs and things that I might have overlooked. On Thursday the 'Broom Wagon' will be loaded up with the bikes and the rest of the kit in order that we can get an early and trouble free start at Poole ferry port on Friday morning.
The worst thing now is the wait for the start of our ACCR adventure. I will now be glad when we are on our way. All the training is done and if it wasn't enough we will soon find out. I felt the same before we started our LEJOG last September. It doesn't seem possible but it is only about eight and a half months since the team completed that trip. Mixed emotions at the moment-on the one hand a feeling of excitement and anticipation and on the other, feelings of apprehension and nervousness wondering as always whether we have taken on more than we can deal with.
All we have to do is remember the teams motto 'No hill to high,no distance to far'.
Oh well whatever happens it will be an experience and that's what it's all about.....!