The motivation to do this challenge was threefold really; to get myself a bit fitter, to see whether I could take on a bike ride again after suffering a collapsed lung a couple of years ago and to try to raise as much as possible for a local charity that meant something to the people I'd ask for support.
The challenge had to be a difficult one. It needed to be a bit different from any challenge I'd completed before and the charity I picked had to be one I felt passionate about as that's a real motivator to get the job done!
I must admit that this time I thought I may have bitten off more than I can chew as the training was hard, particularly through the Summer and I wasn't as confident as I'd been doing past challenges. My family were concerned and said so vocally but I was determined to do it while making sure I was not putting myself in danger.
I had a medical, got the all clear and trained as much as I could on my turbo trainer at home and around the Chiltern Hills with cycle buddy and good friend Dan Tester.
Bob and Dan cycle from London to Brussels
It wasn't an easy commitment as my diary is usually full! Social commitments and work commitments with a few pints here and there, not ideal for a challenge which involves a fitness campaign.
When the time came to get going I was nervous, didn't get much sleep but relished the thought of getting on with it.
The ride was on! It's amazing how quickly it all went really. We arrived at Harwich in the early evening on the first having cycled 70 miles. The overnight ferry was welcome although it was 4 to a cabin so not too luxurious.
The second day was fabulous, cycling through Holland was amazing and I'd recommend it to anyone. 60 miles to Amsterdam completed and time for a Dutch beer!
The third day was a long day, 90 miles, 2 ferry crossings and some serious time in the saddle. It was a real trek but all made it in one piece despite a sprint finish for the last 10 miles!
The final day was upon us, the first 2 hours was difficult for me, I was exhausted from the previous day but I knew in my mind that there wasn't too much more to do. I had plenty of fuel, gels, protein drinks, carb drinks etc so I just had to keep going.
By the time we'd got to our lunch stop I was fine, back in good form, over the fatigue and cracking a few silly jokes......very much looking forward to seeing my wife at the end, feeling emotional about the experience and about to enjoy the success of the challenge noting that we'd hit the £10,000 mark in our sponsorship efforts.
It was all a bit surreal when we arrived but the end was amazing, people cheering, champagne corks popping, photos taken and a big celebratory dinner to finish.
An amazing challenge, a fantastic charity and a great success.
I'm ready for another ....in a year or two :)
Bob and Dan in Brussels
Read about Dan's cycle from London - Brussels
Click here The challenge had to be a difficult one. It needed to be a bit different from anything I'd completed before and the charity I picked had to be one I felt passionate about as that's a real motivator to get the job done!
It was all a bit surreal when we arrived but the end was amazing, people cheering, champagne corks popping, photos taken and a big celebratory dinner to finish.
An amazing challenge, a fantastic charity and a great success.
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