The final day came after what felt like months on the road. The usual 5am start but we were all able to sit down to breakfast together, the first time since John O'Groats.
The atmosphere was more relaxed than in the last nine days but there was still trepidation as the runners Dave, Dave and Karl were worried about their strains and injuries.
We we're told the run was flat - it was the opposite, but it still went well for everyone.
For mine and Dave's final bike ride it was bright and sunny and there were a lot of extra riders. One of the runners, also called Dave, on the spare tandem. It was a relatively short ride to Land's End where we were greeted by an enormous crowd.
Instead of riding across the line we stopped and all of the team walked through together. It's difficult to explain how it felt, you need to go through it all to really understand. It was a great achievement and although I rode the whole way I still find Dave's (Blind Dave) achievement incredible.
I have great admiration for all of the team and at a personal level for the staff, student and friends who worked so hard throughout supporting us on the road. It was a tough challenge at times for everyone - I would like to say a big thanks to Andy, Ben C, Ben W - our student who came along, Shaun,Claire, Michael, Dave, Jo and Little Ben.
It was a tough but amazing experience and the reputation and extensive publicity throughout can only be good for the College.
We are well on the way to raising the target of £100,000 for Macmillan Cancer and anyone wishing to donate or late sponsor please go to www.justgiving.com/blinddavestop2toe
Watch us cross the finish line for the last time here:
Monday 22 August 2011
Friday 19 August 2011
Finished!
We have completed the epic Top2Toe Challenge!
We are currently celebrating in Land's End, so I will come back and update this post properly in the next couple of days, but here is a picture of us at the bottom - 1000miles from where we started 10 days ago.
We are currently celebrating in Land's End, so I will come back and update this post properly in the next couple of days, but here is a picture of us at the bottom - 1000miles from where we started 10 days ago.
Dave has done so well - he really is amazing. Don't forget, he has done this to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support so if you can, please give generously to www.justgiving.com/blinddavestop2toe
And if you would like to welcome us home, we will be at Victoria Square in Birmingham City Centre on Monday, from 11-4pm. We would love to see you there.
Thursday 18 August 2011
The penultimate day
Today was the penultimate day so everyone was a little apprehensive. If we get through today we will almost certainly achieve our goal as Dave could walk the final marathon if necessary! If I know him though, he'll run it as fast as he can!
The day started with heavy rain which lasted for most of the run and it was cold which meant that I was really cold and wet cycling it. The run was the hilliest yet and Karl, one of the runners, struggled with his legs throughout but he did manage to finish it. Dave was going really well and set a fast past despite the hilly route.
Luckily the sun came out for the bike-leg which was great and the rolling roads and smaller hills meant that we went at a really good pace, especially compared to earlier in the week, and we were able to finish early for once.
It was also the first time that we used the bike mounted cameras and we now have some really good and different film footage which we will get online as soon as possible.
Wish us luck for tomorrow! And don't forget, if you would like to Donate, visit: www.justgiving.com/blinddavestop2toe
The day started with heavy rain which lasted for most of the run and it was cold which meant that I was really cold and wet cycling it. The run was the hilliest yet and Karl, one of the runners, struggled with his legs throughout but he did manage to finish it. Dave was going really well and set a fast past despite the hilly route.
Luckily the sun came out for the bike-leg which was great and the rolling roads and smaller hills meant that we went at a really good pace, especially compared to earlier in the week, and we were able to finish early for once.
It was also the first time that we used the bike mounted cameras and we now have some really good and different film footage which we will get online as soon as possible.
Wish us luck for tomorrow! And don't forget, if you would like to Donate, visit: www.justgiving.com/blinddavestop2toe
Wednesday 17 August 2011
Coming through Birmingham
Today was a busy but great day. After Dave finished his marathon, we cycled into West Bromwhich Albion football club where there was a reception and press conference. There were a lot of people there to welcome us in and see us off again which was really encouraging after a tough couple of days.
We then cycled into Birmingham City Centre, to the Council House in Victoria Square where we met the Lord Mayor of Birmingham.
It somehow managed to be another late night by the time we had all eaten, but we had the chance to see family and friends which was absolutely great.
We left Birmingham the next morning at the normal 6am but we were not alone this time. Accompanying us were five South Birmingham College staff who had signed up to run a marathon and help raise money for Macmillan. There were also football supporters running alongside and friends and supporters of Dave. FeWeek also came along to film and interview myself and Dave en-route.
We arrived at Worcester to a crowd of people cheering us in - and plenty of press asking us how we were getting on. Here's a link to the BBC Midlands Today News, which has a piece on us at about 21 minutes in to the programme: http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b013dkhl/
We then cycled into Birmingham City Centre, to the Council House in Victoria Square where we met the Lord Mayor of Birmingham.
It somehow managed to be another late night by the time we had all eaten, but we had the chance to see family and friends which was absolutely great.
We left Birmingham the next morning at the normal 6am but we were not alone this time. Accompanying us were five South Birmingham College staff who had signed up to run a marathon and help raise money for Macmillan. There were also football supporters running alongside and friends and supporters of Dave. FeWeek also came along to film and interview myself and Dave en-route.
We arrived at Worcester to a crowd of people cheering us in - and plenty of press asking us how we were getting on. Here's a link to the BBC Midlands Today News, which has a piece on us at about 21 minutes in to the programme: http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b013dkhl/
Monday 15 August 2011
Marathon 5 - an emotional reunion for Dave
On day five we went from Lancaster to Stoke - it was another cold start.Dave struggled with his left knee again on the marathon but had a great suprise when he crossed the finish line. Watch below:
The brakes on the tandem had all but ceased to work yesterday, so Dave Sinar our back up cyclist who is also cycling the whole way, rode ahead to get them replaced.
We only had one stop on this leg and were riding at an excellent speed. The highlight of today - a five car police escort for a section of the ride on a particularly busy section of the road.
It was the first time we finished early and we were all grateful!
The brakes on the tandem had all but ceased to work yesterday, so Dave Sinar our back up cyclist who is also cycling the whole way, rode ahead to get them replaced.
We only had one stop on this leg and were riding at an excellent speed. The highlight of today - a five car police escort for a section of the ride on a particularly busy section of the road.
It was the first time we finished early and we were all grateful!
Saturday 13 August 2011
Marathon legs - day 2 and 3
The cycling is going well so far. Despite the atrocious weather and being soaked through to the skin and rubbing ourselves raw it has been great. I am feeling very good and so far I have got Dave round the bike stages without any difficulties. Naturally, he is finding some parts of it hard going, particularly Glen Cohen which was a mountain climb a few miles long followed by numerous other hills and that was after riding a 13 per cent two mile hill the day before.
The hardest part for me has been riding the marathon because it can be very uncomfortable riding at such a slow pace, particularly when it is very cold and wet. Also, Dave and I both have sore bums (!) because unlike a solo bike you can't move around so you are locked in one position for six or seven hours at a time.
Here is a video of the maraton run from Lochness to Loch Lomond.
The hardest part for me has been riding the marathon because it can be very uncomfortable riding at such a slow pace, particularly when it is very cold and wet. Also, Dave and I both have sore bums (!) because unlike a solo bike you can't move around so you are locked in one position for six or seven hours at a time.
Here is a video of the maraton run from Lochness to Loch Lomond.
Wednesday 10 August 2011
Our first couple of days in pictures
The starting point at John O'Groats
The runners and cyclists
Blind Dave, myself and Dave the guide-runner
Sunrise on the first marathon leg
Grilling Dave at the end of his first marathon
The weather got worse for the cycle-leg
Arriving in Drumnadrochit, home of Lochness
Monday 8 August 2011
On our way
It's finally come - the day we travel up to John O'Groats.
I had a really bad night - woke up at 1am and couldn't get back to sleep - I think it is the anticipation of the coming challenge.
We all met at the College at 8:30 to leave for 9am but the caravan we had hired to use as a refreshment stop for the runners and cyclists along the route was late and not set up.Andy, our College driver, was uncharacteristically stressed trying to get everything organised. The journey to John O'Groats was a bit of an ordeal as with the caravan and the trailer being pulled, our maximum speed was 60mph which meant it took 15 hours to reach our destination, but everyone was in good humour.
When we arrived we were greeted with good old Scottish weather -rain and wind! Some of the college group were staying in one bed and breakfast, with myself and Andy joining Blind Dave and his team in their B&B. Once we got our lot all checked and and had take directions from the receptionist, we made the way to the B&B we were staying in...we were greeted warmly there and shown to our rooms for a much needed nights sleep.
I'll update on our first day tomorrow.
I had a really bad night - woke up at 1am and couldn't get back to sleep - I think it is the anticipation of the coming challenge.
We all met at the College at 8:30 to leave for 9am but the caravan we had hired to use as a refreshment stop for the runners and cyclists along the route was late and not set up.Andy, our College driver, was uncharacteristically stressed trying to get everything organised. The journey to John O'Groats was a bit of an ordeal as with the caravan and the trailer being pulled, our maximum speed was 60mph which meant it took 15 hours to reach our destination, but everyone was in good humour.
When we arrived we were greeted with good old Scottish weather -rain and wind! Some of the college group were staying in one bed and breakfast, with myself and Andy joining Blind Dave and his team in their B&B. Once we got our lot all checked and and had take directions from the receptionist, we made the way to the B&B we were staying in...we were greeted warmly there and shown to our rooms for a much needed nights sleep.
I'll update on our first day tomorrow.
Sunday 7 August 2011
Sunday before
There was a big send off party at the Yew Tree pub near Dave's house this morning, for Dave and the guys going up today. A lot of locals turned up and there were raffles and more money raising.
I spent the day sorting out the bikes, reloading the van and trailer and getting my kit ready for the ride. I checked the weather - 7oC and raining in John O'Groats - not good! Another Dave - the back-up cyclist - came over from Norfolk today to stay over ready for leaving tomorrow. He's going to cycle the whole route as well.
I spent the day sorting out the bikes, reloading the van and trailer and getting my kit ready for the ride. I checked the weather - 7oC and raining in John O'Groats - not good! Another Dave - the back-up cyclist - came over from Norfolk today to stay over ready for leaving tomorrow. He's going to cycle the whole route as well.
Saturday 6 August 2011
Saturday before
It's getting pretty close now.I collected the College van and trailer and took it to Blind Dave's house to load up the tandems and other riders bikes and the sponsored water. Little did I know that we'd been given 1 tonne of water in 500ml bottles! We eventually loaded about 3/4 of it into the van and needless to say the van was a lot slower...it'll all be drunk along the way though.
Friday 5 August 2011
Final preparations
We are leaving Birmingham on Monday to make our way to John O'Groats ready to set off on the Challenge on Wednesday.
Everyone has been finishing their training, and hoping that the rain goes away as 1000 miles won't be fun if we are all wet.
The College banners have arrived today - they will come on the journey with us to show our support for Dave.
Everyone has been finishing their training, and hoping that the rain goes away as 1000 miles won't be fun if we are all wet.
The College banners have arrived today - they will come on the journey with us to show our support for Dave.
The bases of the stands have had to be filled with sand to withstand the great British weather on way down; luckily our Construction campus at Bordesley Green has sand for courses such as bricklaying, and some members of staff kindly helped us out.
If you are interested in our courses, go to http://www.sbc.ac.uk/ to find out more
Tuesday 2 August 2011
Support from local football fans
Football fans from Blues, Albion and Villa are also supporting Dave in his Challenge. Alongside South Birmingham College's six staff members who are running the Birmingham to Worcester leg of the journey, there will be five supporters from each club on hand to motivate Dave and the team along the way.
Dave, the College runners and myself met some of the football fan runners last week - here is a picture of us in Victoria Square.
The Birmingham to Worcester leg of the journey is on Tuesday 16 August. We will set off from Victoria Square at 6am and hope to arrive at The Raven in Worcester at 11am. We hope to see you along the way.
Dave, the College runners and myself met some of the football fan runners last week - here is a picture of us in Victoria Square.
The Birmingham to Worcester leg of the journey is on Tuesday 16 August. We will set off from Victoria Square at 6am and hope to arrive at The Raven in Worcester at 11am. We hope to see you along the way.
Friday 29 July 2011
South Birmingham College gets involved with Top2Toe
Hello. I’m Mike Hopkins,the Principal of South Birmingham College – one of the most successful colleges in the Midlands.
The College and I are supporting local hero ‘Blind Dave’ in his epic challenge of running and cycling from the top to the toe of the country in ten days! In August, Dave will run and cycle, and I will cycle, 1000 miles from John O'Groats to Land's End to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Each day will start with a marathon run of 26.2 miles, then a cycle to the next destination – an overall average of 100 miles a day. I will be cycling the marathon legs and I will be the front-rider of the Dawes tandem that Dave will do each cycle-leg of the journey on.
So, how did I get involved in this Challenge? Well, I’m a keen cyclist and compete in road races, time trials and cyclocross. Alongside this, the College, our staff and our students have supported Macmillan Cancer for many years.
However, my involvement with the Challenge was in fact 'engineered' by Steve Dourass from Macmillan. I've known Steve for years and he's always involving me and the College in his fundraising ideas. Last year he asked if I'd speak to Dave about the cycling aspect of the challenge and give him some advice, little did I know that the meeting was in fact to persuade me to take part as the front rider for Dave!
I found out later that they'd assumed that I was going to do it before I met with Dave. But, it didn't take much to persuade me and those who know me weren't too surprised!
I am also very pleased that the College is able to provide help and support to Dave’s Challenge in other ways as well. A group of our media students will be coming along on the Challenge to film the highs and lows and create a film of the event, and spread the word of our progress to the media and through social media. It will be great experience for them to put the skills that they have learnt at the College into practice in a real-life setting.
We are also providing college vehicles to transport the support team along the whole journey.
I will keep you updated on our progress here – so stay tuned.
The College and I are supporting local hero ‘Blind Dave’ in his epic challenge of running and cycling from the top to the toe of the country in ten days! In August, Dave will run and cycle, and I will cycle, 1000 miles from John O'Groats to Land's End to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Each day will start with a marathon run of 26.2 miles, then a cycle to the next destination – an overall average of 100 miles a day. I will be cycling the marathon legs and I will be the front-rider of the Dawes tandem that Dave will do each cycle-leg of the journey on.
So, how did I get involved in this Challenge? Well, I’m a keen cyclist and compete in road races, time trials and cyclocross. Alongside this, the College, our staff and our students have supported Macmillan Cancer for many years.
However, my involvement with the Challenge was in fact 'engineered' by Steve Dourass from Macmillan. I've known Steve for years and he's always involving me and the College in his fundraising ideas. Last year he asked if I'd speak to Dave about the cycling aspect of the challenge and give him some advice, little did I know that the meeting was in fact to persuade me to take part as the front rider for Dave!
I found out later that they'd assumed that I was going to do it before I met with Dave. But, it didn't take much to persuade me and those who know me weren't too surprised!
I am also very pleased that the College is able to provide help and support to Dave’s Challenge in other ways as well. A group of our media students will be coming along on the Challenge to film the highs and lows and create a film of the event, and spread the word of our progress to the media and through social media. It will be great experience for them to put the skills that they have learnt at the College into practice in a real-life setting.
We are also providing college vehicles to transport the support team along the whole journey.
I will keep you updated on our progress here – so stay tuned.
Dave is hoping to raise £100,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. If you would like to help Dave in realising his goal, please donate by going to his Just Giving page on the right hand side of this blog.
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