Day 1 - Oxford to Portsmouth

It started as a dream. Today it became reality. After months of planning and training the 1,500 mile journey has begun!








We had a great send off from the famous 140 Divinity Road from Laurie's family, Viv and Charles G and our support team for the first week Rob and Jane John. Guest rider for the day was James Macmillan (Macca). After last minute checks, several photos for the worldwide press and hugs and kisses we were off! A very easy start rolling down the hill until we had to stop 30 seconds into the journey as Rob decided he was cold and needed a top! We had a couple of nasty A roads leaving Oxford but finally got onto some lovely surfaced quiet roads, thanks to route planner FJ. We were just getting into the rhythm until we all discovered we had weak bladders and had to stop regularly to relieve ourselves. At least we were well hydrated! After some lovely riding through the mansions of Berkshire we had a little hiccup trying to direct ourselves through Basingstoke. We then arrived at our lunch spot for the day in Hatch Warren with the back of the ride broken. Rob and Jane were waiting with lunch as we climbed the hill finishing for the morning- now that's what I call service!



Lunch was exactly what the doctor ordered! We were refuelled and ready to go. The afternoon ride was lovely, we even passed a pair on a tandem bike also riding from Oxford to Portsmouth! We were climbing the last hill into Portsmouth when we got our first puncture of the trip- inevitable, it was only a matter of time. We arrived at the top of the hill and there was a sense of achievement- we could finally see the harbour, day 1 was coming to a close. Just the 1,400 miles to go! So as we begun our final decent of the day we were half way down the hill when we realised we had taken a wrong turn off- story of the day! Back up then against the head wind, oh well. As if one wrong turn off wasn't enough we were half way down another hill before déjà vu struck! Another wrong turn off! We can see the harbour, however we are struggling to get there! Finally we arrived down at the port to be greeted by the masses! We got showed and fed at the Moffit's and then loaded the van in preparation for the boat. Off to St Malo we go! Roll on day 2!



Today's distance: 89 miles
Average speed: 15 mph
Top speed: 48 mph

Max heart rate: 93% (185 bpm)
Average heart rate: 68%
Calories burnt: 4,000

- @Access2a
- www.access2africa.co.uk

Location:Portsmouth