13 cyclists completed the gruelling 874 mile journey from John O’Groats to Lands End in seven and a half days to raise an amzing £58,383.71 to help celebnrate Spoon’s 25th Anniversary.
 
A fantastic total to mark the success of one of Spoon’s most emotional, exhausting and exhilarating Challenges Much of the hard work was done before leaving John O’Groats, with hundreds of miles of training completed and herculean fundraising and sponsorship efforts achieved. The seven days of cycling, averaging 110 miles a day was just the icing on the cake after all the preparation. The diary from the competitors follows:

Day 1 - John O'Groats to Inverness - 119 miles
A mixture of nerves and the dawn chorus meant sleep was at a minimum, but everyone was up and raring to go at 6.15am. A group decision was made to ride the extra 2.5 miles to the start point (much regretted later in the day!) The weather was kind, with low wind and clear skies and after a couple of hours 13 cyclists arrived with bright eyes and bushy tails at morning break. A few slices of malt loaf later and they made their way onto the lunch stop, passing some of Scotland’s most beautiful views en route. The Dornoch Bridge Inn welcomed us with open arms and fuelled everyone with a fantastic soup starter, pasta bolognaise and a very kind donation to Spoon. The afternoon continued as the day had started with perfect weather and lots of smiles, especially as most had completed their longest ride ever in a day. After a massage from Kirsty and a dinner from the local everyone made their way back to Inverness YHA for an early night in preparation for day 2.

Day 2 – Inverness to Glenfarg - 126 miles
Worried faces looked over route cards throughout breakfast as the cyclists realized it wasn't one straight road to Glenfarg (maybe day one had been too good to be true!). Once again the weather wasn't too bad, a few bits of drizzle here and there, but that didn't stop our determined cyclists, especially Ian Fegen who decided to give himself a head start and set off at 6.30am. After a big climb out of Inverness speedy Simon blew a tyre but somehow still managed to get to the front of the group. Nothing could stop them and after a downhill run to the lunch stop, exhilarated cyclists enjoyed a plateful of Scottish Stovies at Struan Inn. Following a well earned lunch our in-trepid cyclists had to navigate their way round piles of horse dung due to the Blair Athol Horse Show! Filthy faces made their way to afternoon tea, although some seemed more concerned about cleaning their bikes than washing them-selves! The day culminated in a steep climb to Glenfarg, where a pleasant surprise awaited the cyclists in the form of the beautiful Glenfarg Hotel plus two of SMA's finest massage therapists (there were a few jealous comments from previous competitor and support driver, Nigel, as he made everyone aware that he didn't have such luxuries!). Everyone had a fantastic meal in the hotel before retiring to bed for a well earned rest.

Day 3 – Glenfarg to Carlisle - 128 miles
What can we say other than 30 mph head winds and 12 hours in the saddle for some! This was the toughest day of the week so far as the challenges cycled through sheets of horizontal rain, mist, fog and spray. It was not a pleasant morning and the support crew were ready to go and collect anyone who was ready to call it a day, but in true Olympian spirit our determined bunch fought the elements and finally made it to morning break (two hours later than expected!). There were a few moments of insanity when Nichol and a few others admitted screaming “come on show me what you have got” to the sky! Although hell at the time I think the weather was a blessing in disguise as although dire in the morning the afternoon rain was the least of their worries and it at least removed the horse dung from Simon's bike! The Abington Hotel put an amazing curry on, which was just what the doctor ordered, warming our athletes up for the next leg into Carlisle. Although the late arrivals made use of their lights and the late night curry house to refuel again for the next day.

Day 4 - Carlisle to Warrington - 123 miles
After a fantastic sleep in single occupancy rooms (Thank you Carlisle YHA) everyone looked refreshed and ready for day 4. As predicted the weather was dreadful and the climb up to Shap Summit was a wet and windy one. After a fight with the Spoon marquee, Kirsty and Nigel finally managed to create some shelter from the elements however there were a few occasions when we thought it might blow away taking our support van with it. After taking it in turns to sit in the cab and warm up everyone pushed on to lunch. The rain and wind must have been tough for our cyclists but they finally arrived a little after lunch time, or more accurately, just before tea time. The lasagne from Old Nell's Tavern must have done the job as the exhausted men who entered the pub had been transformed into fresh faced and determined athletes ready to face the afternoons ride. The afternoon seemed just as tough as the morning for some and by nightfall lights were switched on and the last few riders were still making their way to Warrington. This of course did not include Simon and Howard (aka the Chuckle brothers) who, having beaten the van, were found waiting for their bags wearing only their towels much earlier in the evening. These two were shortly followed by the Hamster Boys, Colin and Graham, who got their name from the speed at which their legs spin, similar to a hamster in his wheel. Worry set in amongst the cyclists that were back as 10pm had been and gone and there was still no sign of Ian Fegen... a few moments later the phone rang and his whereabouts was discovered. Ian had managed to make a wrong turn and was almost halfway to Liverpool (he still claims his sense of direction is better than reading the route cards!) Ian was cheered through the gates at 11.15pm and after 15 hours in the saddle he enjoyed a take out Domino's Pizza.

Day 5 - Warrington to Leominster - 90 miles
After the Luxury of a Premier Inn and a full English breakfast all 13 cyclists set off laughing about the distance and predicting they would be at Leominster for lunch. (and we have to admit they weren0t far wrong!) The difference in their attitudes was amazing to see as they all looked on the 90 mile day as if it were a 5 minute trip to the shops. Mike Oliver even referred to their journey as a day off to relax! So with the sun trying to shine and the waterproofs packed away in the van everyone whizzed along at a great pace. Kirsty and Nigel started to worry that they were on the wrong road at one point as they hadn't over taken anyone, but they later found out them already tucking into jacket potatoes at the Ragleth Arms in Little Stretton. Lunch was interrupted by a phone call from Ian Fegen, who had found himself lost once again! After being put back on track by Nigel and advised to use the route cards he made his way to lunch - not too far behind the others! After a leisurely afternoon ride people started arriving at Leominster YHA, where the weather allowed us to do al fresco massages in the courtyard. Having an evening free was a bit of a shock to the system, but gave us time to do a group kit wash and have dinner at a reasonable time - Ian Fegen even had time for an afternoon nap!

Day 6 - Leominster to Taunton - 111 miles
With clean, warm kit fresh from the dryer and a tummy full of porridge happy cyclists peddled away from Leominster with the sun on their backs. The journey into Monmouth for morning break was a very busy one, as we got caught up in the traffic for yet another Show. Monmouth show did have its advantages though, one being the number of police men who were patrolling the area. So when it was time for our daily phone call from a lost Ian Fegen, we happily passed the phone over to the police man to direct him in. A number of phone calls later as the baffled police man finally got back to his duties, Ian arrived for his daily Eat Natural bar and Jaffa cake. Everyone continued to lunch without too many problems, apart from Rod, who's bike had finally decided enough was enough! Others were quite amazed as problems with the bikes were happening before their bodies were giving up. With some help from Nigel, Rod managed to get his bike back into working order and continued to lunch. Rod and his riding buddy Nichol, must have been working their socks off, as they made up nearly two hours of distance and caught the others up just in time for a bowl of pasta bake and chilli con carne. Everyone made great progress throughout the afternoon and we have a feeling this might have been something to do with the BBQ waiting for them at Tony Richards' house and the promised beer to go with it. After arriving at the Covey's house to freshen up everyone was ferried to Tony's where a banquet awaited. After our best meal of the week the cyclists were divided with some staying at the Richards' residence, some at the Covey's and the remainder at the local premier inn.

Day 7 - Taunton to Wadebridge - 109 miles
We had a fantastic start to day 7 as Alan and Sarah Covey provided all the cyclists with a healthy portion of their very best full English breakfast. This certainly did its job as the cyclists whizzed off amazed at the fantastic weather they had been dreaming about all week. (Better late than never guys!) After a cup of coffee and Lara bar or two at morning break the cyclists stormed off to lunch with local boy Mike Gray leading the pack (this didn't seem to impress the speedy chuckle brothers who had got used to their position up front!). When we got to our lunch stop at the Lifton Hall Hotel we realised why Mike had picked up speed and zoomed off ahead, his partner and children where waiting along with a few other families who had popped in to see their Dad's. It seemed that the thought of seeing their families after a week apart really spurred on the lucky cyclists and they had a well earned lunch together before having to continue on to Wadebridge. Once again Ian Fegen had taken a few wrong turns leaving him a couple of hours behind the group, but he finally made it to the Lifton Hall Hotel where they made him a fresh portion of pasta bake. Knowing it was their last long day, the cyclists pushed on and made it back to camp in time for another outdoor massage from Kirsty and a lovely meal - even Ian just about made the order cut off, arriving at about 9.30pm! A combination Nigel's Birthday, Mike's Birthday and only a short day to go persuaded a few members of the group to stay up drinking and celebrate. When tales were told the next morning we realised it probably wasn0t the best idea and a sore headed Nigel was ashamed to discover that he had been rescued from the toilet by police man and fellow cyclist Richard, who found him trying to exit the bathroom through the shower! (You should have just turned it on Richard) Everyone's a winner on the Wooden Spoon End 2 End Challenge, but special congratulations must go to Charles Buckley who received the End 2 End Challenge Bowl for not only completing all 874 miles of the challenge but for raising a staggering £11,531.41 in doing so! (Well done Charlie)

Day 8—Wadebridge to Lands End - 56 miles
Knowing it was their last day, and their families were waiting for them at the end really spurred the cyclists on, and it wasn't long before cyclists started arriving at our meeting point on Penzance harbour where we regrouped and had a well earned Cornish Pasty. Smiles of excitement started to show and the group got ready to travel the final 9 miles to Lands End together. While the excited bunch started their final leg, their families were busy erecting banners and making signs to welcome their loved ones home. The crowds gathered and cow bells jingled in preparation for their arrival while the cyclists travelled their last mile to the theme tune for the event and Nigel's favourite, The Mama Mia Soundtrack. Emotions set in as the finish line drew closer and the welcome that was received was phenomenal. Tears appeared in the crowd's eyes as they were overwhelmed by what their loved ones had completed and after cuddles, kisses and congratulations from all, the 13 Heroes found themselves posing for photos with a glass of champagne in hand!

All our cyclists worked incredibly hard but none of it would be possible without the generosity of our sponsors. A big thank you to Ford who supplied us with a support van for the challenge, Honda who supplied us with a motorbike, Groupama who insured our success. TNT who fuelled our vehicle and to Maximuscle, Larabar and Eat natural who fuelled our challengers! And finally to our supporters Tony and Judith Richards, who put on a fantastic BBQ for us as we passed through Taunton and even gave up their spare rooms for some of us to bunk down too. Thank you Alan and Sarah Covey for being our Taunton hotel and providing us with a fantastic send off—one of Alan's famous full English breakfasts.

WE THANK YOU ALL AND HOPE TO ENJOY YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT NEXT YEAR

And Finally... None of this would have been possible without our fantastic support crew. A huge thank you must go to Simon for keeping all 13 cyclists on route, providing them with spare parts and spare food and most of all for always having a smile on your face even when you have been sat on your motorbike for 15 hours straight! (Thanks Simon, your a star). Thanks must also go to Van driver, bike courier, porridge maker, bag minder, kit washer and bi-cycle surgeon Nigel Brindley who looked after us all throughout the week. (Thanks Nige!)




If you are interested in entering the 2010 End 2 End Challenge on August 21-28 2010 please contact
the challenge office: CHALLENGE OFFICE: 01889 582889 / spoonchallenges@eventsunlimited.co.uk or view the challenge website: http://www.spoonchallenges.com/