TEAM PRICE BLOG
We write this as we sit on a
verandah by the sea in Gibraltar and reflect on the whirlwind week of
experiences that we have been privileged to be a part of.
We fully endorse both
previous team's 1 and 2's words of
wisdom and summaries of characters.
DAY 14
Our trip commenced with a
stopover in Geneva to visit family, namely, Uncle Paul who would soon become
team member 5 of the Thunder train.
We were greeted at the very
impressive Madrid airport by 2 tired and hungry boys, Rob and Laurie, who had
had to hang around awaiting a late arrival. The boys were suffering hunger
pangs and still slightly delicate after a session in Madrdid the night before
which I think concluded as dawn broke!
It was a race back to camp to
feed their bodies with calories which automatically lead to increased smiles,
chatter and improved brain function. Fred and Marcus were snoozing in the tent
but soon appeared bright and breezy to give us the team rundown for the third
and final time. We felt lucky that we were stepping into tried and tested
methods of organisation and high set standards.
The camp was welcoming and well established with gazebo up and 3
cosy tents.
The boys had planned ahead for
a barbecue that evening, following a sightseeing trip of Madrid. This was our
first night of building relationships and getting to know each other, as the 4
had had to adjust to different support styles from parents throughout the trip.
DAY 15
Was a lie in day as plans had
changed in the fact that we were to drive 2 of the boys To Toledo and set up
camp whilst Marcus and Rob headed for the train to Toledo with their bikes.
This was to avoid the very
dangerous roads around Madrid as cycling here was not to be recommended.
We were just learning the
logistics involved of locating and setting up a site for a whirlwind one night
stopover, when the call came from M and R still stranded in Madrid due to the
inflexible policy of carrying bikes on trains. F and L kindly offered to do the
2 hour round trip whilst we established a home.
The campsite was very smart
and a swimming pool beckoned the lads as they returned to base. this was
followed by a boules tornament and tea. That evening we headed into Toledo, an
ancient walled town with deserted,cobbled, narrow streets and managed to find
the only bar open.
We had a very gentle settling
in period which lead to a false conclusion that all was very relaxing with
plenty of downtime.
DAY 16
After a broken nights sleep,
firstly Toledo's answer to Britains Got Talent, a rave along the river that
Marcus wanted to gate crash and a refuse truck collecting campsite rubbish at
3.15 am, we were knocked up at 6 am in the pitch black to start our first real
support day for the A2A team.
Whilst Deb packed the car in a
most meticulous and organised fashion, Julian cooked porridge on the stove.
This turned out to be a thick,
burnt offering of gruel but the boys managed to disguise it's taste with
various additions of sauces and jams and were extremely good humoured and
polite. This, however, became one of the many subjects of banter providing
entertainment and laughs.
We were very struck by the
comaraderie and good spirits always displayed by these 4 very close friends.
They seemed to understand each other intimately to the degree of checking each others
butts for sores and even helping apply the cream!
We always underestimated their speed and
distance covered from waving them off to when we passed them in the battle bus.
Each corner we turned we expected to glimpse 4 bright Lycra clothed bodies pushing
themselves to physical extremes but oh no, they were nearly at the next stop!
So we were always playing catch up! no time for stopping off at the inviting
tavernas.
The boys reached their 1000km
mark, an absolute incredible achievement marking a dream being lived out with a
third of it to go.
We arrived at final
destination of the day, Ciudad Real, a large unattractive city. We already knew
there weren't any campsites in this region, a pattern that seemed to dominate
the rest of the trip as we moved out of tourist Spain.
Rob, our negotiator, clenched
a deal for 6 of us to stay in a 1* hostel! Deb was grateful for sleeping
tablets and alcohol to get her through this ordeal!
DAY 17
We waved the boys off in
darkness with a sense of anticipation for a long, challenging day ahead and the
fact that Uncle Paul would be joining this tightly knitted group in the
evening, having traced the trail of the boys and due to arrive 4 hours later.
This day would see them pass through flat, open savannahs interrupted by
mountainous terrain culminating in a 900 metre summit for a memorable lunch
stop in National Park territory, with eagles circling overhead. One of our
favourite stops of the week. The ever thoughtful pack decided it would be a
motivating gesture to leave a little parcel of water and treats from the love
box for PV, at the top of the summit.
A coordinated arrival into
Montoro found us struggling to locate a pre booked 3* hotel, once again an only
option of accomodation. This provided a luxury stop with air conditioning and a
swimming pool! Not on the plan and Rob, the finance director, needed a few
beers to take away the bitter taste, but the stay was subsidised by team Price
to ease his concerns.
PV's arrival was greeted with excitement and respect to his 70 mile
solo achievement.
There were many occasions in
the forthcoming days that found us struggling to negotiate steep, narrow, dark,
cobbled streets with one way systems and this day was one of them. TOM TOM was
becoming, at times, a rather frustrating companion who liked to set us
challeges of our own. Obviously a friend of Mr. Garmin!
DAY 18
So, today a 5 person crew
thrust their way on 2 wheels South through Spain. It was always an education to
listen to the quick witted banter that ran as a commentary throughout the day
and general male micky taking that only men can get away with. The planned stop
for the end of the day saw a very resourceful team check into another low star
hotel on an industrial estate, and then set up a picnic in the Shell garage
forecourt to the amusement of everyone. Functional and happy but not
salubrious!
DAY 19
Toasted bread spread with
liquid tomatoes and olive oil did not provide the lads with enough subsitence
for the day but it became apparent that this was the staple diet for the
region. Arrival at our only 3rd camping night of the week gave the team another
challenge on how to put pegs into rock solid ground, especially in 40 degrees
heat. PV refused all offers of help as he set to to create a wooden rail system
of anchoring guy ropes, whilst L and M, with their hateful tent that had a pole
that was too long and saw the fly sheet raised 2 feet off the ground, were as
laid back as ever and simply used rocks. Then there was F and R who had
superior nail pegs that would pierce a granite rock. A'shopping' expedition was
swiftly suggested and all the cyclists disappeared for a couple of hours
returning with stories of a 300 beer variety bar.
We found ourselves fully
included in a competive game of water polo/ rugby which enabled any leftover
energy, of which there seemed to be plenty, to be expelled.
DAY 20
Breakfast in the dark as
routine, Julian's porridge making was carefully overseen by Laurie to allow him
to redeem his porridge making prowess.
The longest, hardest day was
to be underway as a revised schedule meant they had to cover a 90 mile course to Gibraltar.What was
noticeable was the move towards these sorts of distances no longer producing
shock but an eagerness and a normal everyday mileage.Amazing.
The last leg started as a
quiet affair with some lacking that vital energy and weariness starting to set
in, clues that psychologically they were winding down. However, spirits lifted
as the day went on and adrenalin flowed. The scenery became spectacular with
long, winding descents and climbs to keep them fully focused and remind them of
what they are able to achieve. This undoubtedly became, for us, one of the most
enjoyable days, seeing the determination and high spirits despite the physical
endurance.
Gibraltar rock loomed on the
landscape and marked their finishing post for cycling! We were privileged to be
included in that night's celebrations, which ended in a raucous 3 am karoke and
high jinx. We then said our goodbyes leaving the 4 athletes to the casino.
What a trip, what a highlight
of our lives, what a fantastic, successful 4 man ( Plus guests) team,
Thank you.
Some notable remarks:
-Amount of water drunk
averaged 20 litres per day, shopped for at any stop we could find.
-We still don't know who Jason
is!
-"Fred have you checked
your tent for your wallet?" ....." Yes, it isn't in there".
- Rob is now the official
bottom inspector, an expert in signs, symptoms and treatment of saddle sore
syndrome.
-Laurie the sun worshipper who
under his parent's constant watch was not allowed to catch the rays without
protection factor 100.
-Markie never scorched his
fingers in the cookie jar, preferring sardines and bananas.
-Paul for being a really good
Uncle to them all.
-Mr Garmin is boss no matter
if arranged to meet support team at another pre determined destination.
We have just flown from
Gibraltar to London with tears in our eyes as we fully comprehended the
absolute distance and terrain navigated by the A2A team!
An unbelievable achievement.
Xx
