It all started in a pub… I am sure that is how the best adventures start, and end, I must add. This one was between best of friends Jamie (my brother) and Chris.
I’ll take you back to last July. Whilst watching the Tour at the pub with a pint and putting the world to rights it was decided between these two that their childhood dream to complete the Tour would be realised.
Well, then the cogs got working and the way to make this a challenge like no other would be to add that extra touch of testosterone. Making sure that it was unique and would be hard to repeat, it was decided that it would be done 24 hours of the champs - the professionals, the Gods on bikes… however you like to word it, the Lance Armstrongs of the world!
So basically, doing all 21 stages, the whole 3,479 kilometers, with the actual Tour de France chasing them down.
Hence the birth of ‘One Day Ahead’.
About me: Rower, sailor, marathon runner and skier, yes… cyclist, nope! But the idea of helping the team that got together around this event was irresistible!
That team include my two brothers Jamie and Charles, Chris, Adnan and Mick. They are the main cyclists doing the entire route one day ahead.
Always willing to help other people out with their challenges, I started toying with the idea of taking some leave from work to help with the organisation and logistics. Living with that idea for a while, I realised that alone would never satisfy my appetite and that I would have to get on a bike!
So the process began. Bike hunting was achieved from lurking around Richmond Park, bike perving and looking in many shops. All I really learnt from this was that bikes are seriously expensive and that there are a lot of different makes, brands, styles and types!
Finally, I knew I just had to buy one so that I could get riding. I settled on a Specialised Allez, which I have to add is a lovely red and white bike which definitely helped the decision…
The training began and so did the reading up on cycling!
For more on the challenge head to www.onedayahead.co.uk/
