latest news

Quote of the day; 'Last one in the sea's a sissy'

We cycled into Yorktown, VA, under police escort, threw the bikes down and ran into the sea to celebratecycling from one side of the USA to the other.......We can honestly say, it has been the hardest physical challenge any of us have had to do.....times when we wanted to quit, times when our bodies were telling us we 'should' quit, times when the weather forced us to quit, but, without all those things, it wouldn't have been the challenge or the achievement it was.

There are many days still to update....ride stats etc....our USA team are already heading back to Oregon, we are packing and preparing to fly home.Over thenext few days we'll update our news page with full ride details and names of all those fantastic people who have supported us and made Bobby on a Bike 2008 so much more enjoyable....but for now...we're looking forward to British Airways flying us home.

June 12th

All riders cycling together....

Kremmling, CO to Fairplay, CO (incorp' Hoosier Pass, at 11,500ft, the highest point on the Transamerica Trail.

Distance - 78.35 miles

Time cycling - 6 hrs 22 mins

We've made it to another rest / non cycling day.....thanks for coming back and visiting the site to read our updates.....and thanks for being patient...we've not had too much chance to get onto the internet....thanks also for those messages of support we're getting.

We made it across the highest point on the Transamerica trail yesterday....at over 11,500 feet, it was the biggest climb we had to conquer.....and needless to say, we all did it...reaching deep inside us for the last little piece of strength and determination.....Paul and Laura had both been nervous about the climb, but made it to the top with a few breaths to spare.

Mid June, that'd be a good time to do the ride.....yeah....nice and warm, short sleeve jerseys all the way...yeah right...we've seen more snow here in the last couple of weeks than the UK has seen in years !! Neil, Paul and laura even had to take a break to avoid a blizzard....the visibility went dangerously low....as bright as they are in the fluorescent cycle jackets, it was decided to go for the safe haven of the RV for a while.

Just about halfway thru.....it's been very very hard work to date....but worth it for some of the views we've had.....the highlight for Neil, Jeff and Paul, was seeing a grizzly bear mum and her 2 cubs.....wild as wild can be....it just doesn't get any better than that.

signing off for this update.....we'll try to get more on here for you all to see soon......so for now, from the UK to the west coast of the USA, keep pedalling......

June 11th

Team 1 - Jeff, Robert, Nick

Rand, WY to Kremmling, CO

80 miles

Team 2 - Neil, Laura, Paul

Riverside, WY to Rand, WY

36 miles in Laura's gears broke, day abandoned to trawl for a bike shop.....

June 10th

Team 1 - Robert, Nick, Jeff, Paul

Lander, WY to Lamont, WY

Distance - 92 miles

Time cycling - 5 hrs 20 mins

Team 2 - Neil, Laura

Lamont, WY to Walcott, WY

36 miles in 3 hrs 29 mins....day abandoned due to severe gales and dangerous conditions.....

June 9th

Team 1 - West Yellowstone, MT to Moran Junction, WY

Distance - 110 miles

Time cycling - 7 hrs 24 mins

Team 2 - Neil, Paul, Laura

Moran Junction, MT to Fort Washakie, MT

Distance - 101.31 miles

Time cycling - 5 hrs 36 mins

June 8th

Team 1 - Neil, Robert, Nick

Jackson, MT to Alder, MT

Quote of the day - 'Got snow'

Distance - 95.18 miles

Time cycling - 5 hrs 48 mins

Team 2 - Jeff, Laura, Paul

Alder, MT to West Yellowstone, MT

Distance - 96.07 miles

Time cycling - 6 hrs 58 mins

June 7th

Team 1 - Paul, Laura, Robert

Lolo, MT to Connor, MT

Quote of the day ' I had a good blow at the back of the garage'

Distance - 71.06 miles

Time cycling - 4 hrs 50 mins

Team 2 - Neil, Nick, Jeff

Connor, MT to Jackson, MT

Distance - 68.18 miles

Time cycling - 5 hrs 3 mins

Thursday 5th June

Team 1 - Neil, Laura and Paul

Quote of the day - 'Roger the Bear'

Riggins,ID to Syringa,ID

Distance - 91.68 miles

Time cycling - 6 hours 49 mins

Team 2 - Jeff, Robert and Nick

Quote of the day - '3 men on a mission'

Sringa,ID to Lolo,MT

Distance - 120 miles

Time cycling - 7 hours 39 mins

Wednesday 4th June.

Team 1 - Neil, Jeff and Nick.

Quote of the day 'Got wind'

Halfway,OR to Council,ID

Distance - 78.67 miles

Time cycling - 5 hours 47 mins

Team 2 - Robert, Laura and Paul.

Quote of day - 'Can I see some ID please'

Council,ID to Riggins,ID

Distance - 62 miles

a slow ol' ride......

Tuesday 3rd June.

Team 1 - Neil, Laura and Nick

Quote of the day - 'wet'

Mitchell,OR to Dixie Pass,OR

Distance - 91.14 miles

Time cycling - 7 hours 2 mins

Team 2 - Jeff, Paul and Robert

Quote of the day - 'I think it's brightening up'

Dixie Pass,OR to Halfway,OR

Distance - 114.40 miles

Time cycling - 7 hours 36 mins

Monday 2nd June.

Team 1 - Nick, Robert and Jeff.

Springfield,OR to Sisters,OR

Distance - 100.30 miles

Time cycling - 6 hours 27 mins

Team 2 - Neil, Laura and Paul

Quote of the day; 'Those ducks gave those beavers a good lickin'......

Sisters,OR to Mitchell, OR

Distance - 92.22 miles

Time cycling - 6 hours 19 mins

Sunday 1st June 2008;

Quote of the day; 'I'm just putting ammonia on it to keep the bears away'

Florence,OR to Springfield, OR

Distance; 70.52 miles

Time cycling; 4 hrs 36mins

Fastest speed; 34 mph

Awake at 6am to be greeted by a lady from Florence PD putting ammonia on a cloth and hanging it on the trash dumpster near to the RV.....the quote of the day explains why.....we hadn't been made aware of that fact when we arrived, Jeff was most upset to think his cookies may have been in danger!

We headed out of Florence turning east....leaving the west coast behind us and the east coast over 4,000 miles ahead of us, at least we know we'll always be cycling towards home....a few miles in saw the rain appear, the forecast had not predicted rain, but after 15 miles or so it eased off and made for a decent day for cycling....a BOAB record for the 'flat' yesterday and a record today for the first fall....just a quick lack of concentration and Neil was on the deck with his bike in the air, having failed to 'unclip' the his shoes from the pedal....all ok tho and he'll be ok to cycle the rest of the way....o he's so glad.

Laura and Paul saw their first big climb to date, but did really well, just picking off each 100yrds as they went, before they knew it, they were flying at 34mph down the other side.

The support crews are finding their feet in the their roles very quickly...with some excellent service being provided to the cycle team.....tomorrow sees the first 'split' ride, with the cyclists splitting into 2 groups to cover the 200 miles....only 4 days till our first rest stop, yippeeeeeee

We may not be able to update as much as previous rides...but hope to keep a daily written log and email that to the site as and when we can, so please keep coming back - feel free to email and offer words of support, or indeed any other word you may wanna throw at us.

Saturday 31st May 2008;

Quote of the day; 'Don't make me come over there and hit you Jeffery'

Coos Bay, OR to Florence, OR

Distance; 50 miles

Time; 3 hrs 29 mins

9 o'clock saw the BOAB team meet at the Coos Bay Boardwalk, together with press from TV and newspaper. We dipped our wheels in the Coos Bay Slough to mark the start of the ride, it would be nice if that was the last time they get wet till we reach Virginia.

A slow start to the ride, some of us have not been on our bikes for more than a week....escorted out of Coos Bay and North Bend by 4 patrol cars with Mark Erith up front on his motor bike.

15 miles into the day and laura let out a squeal after her back tyre went 'bang' after hitting a sharp stone, tyres and tubes replaced before we got back on the road, heading north along the 101 to Reedsport, we were picked up south of the town by 3 patrol cars and escorted to our lunch stop.

After lunch we headed out of town escorted again by the PD together with a truck from the fire dept'.

We soon headed up our highest climb so far.....1000ft.....only ten times lower than we'll face later into the trip.

May 30th 2008;

Quote of the day; 'd'you wanna rub my ring again?'

Day 3 - Coos Bay, OR

We have finally arrived at Coos Bay, Oregan, our start point for the ride across the USA......having spent the first day with BA and the second day floating down the I-5 in our 31ft RV....at 5 miles to the gallon !!

Our friends in the Seattle area have eased our transition to life in the US......some of us have already succumbed to the cookie monster....however.....at least 3 salads have been consumed tho :-)

A full prep' day planned for today, the bikes have to be put back to working order...hopefully....media arriving for interviews at 10, pizza ordered for 2 and the truck loaded ready for the big off tomorrow.......

A short update to start.......fingers not flowing for updates just yet.....please keep coming back...as the actress said to the bishop....to read about how our journey home via 4,500 miles in the saddle, goes....

May 14th 2008;

The team take delivery of 'Break the Pattern - fight against domestic violence' cycle wear.

March 21st 2008;

We're hosting a fund raiser at Police HQ on May 16th 2008 .....

'Anything But Ordinary' are certainly one of Ipswich's finest rock covers bands. Formed in 2005, they are a six piece band with great talent, a great set list and a growing reputation for quality.

Come along to see what all the fuss is about... We're sure you won't be disappointed...

Tickets available by emailing bobby on a bike via the contact page...only £5 each !

Fully licensed bar at unbeatable prices.

for more on the band visit www.anything-but-ordinary.co.uk

 

March 11th 2008;

Time is ticking away......the team is getting the miles in on the bikes, glad that, so far, they've had a mild winter to train in. Paul has had to battle a broken elbow following a 'crash' off his bike, but he's now healed and back on 2 wheels.

Planning for the time in the USA is taking shape, with some very positive responses from Police Dept's and Sheriff Offices following requests for support. Some additonal 'links of interest' have been found. Please take a look at the following;

www.heroesliveforever.net and www.policeunitytour4.org

 

 

September 2007 ;

The team's RV is booked - El Monte RV have been gracious in their support and provided rental at a 25% discount - visit their site from the link below.

 

 

September 2007;

Neil will be visiting Coos Bay, OR during this coming October, he'll be getting together with the USA 'team' of Bobby on a bike, taking part in a fundraising dinner and talks to promote BOAB and it's charities.

 

Update - the trip was a great success, neil did 2 talks to local Coos Bay schools and approx $1,600 was raised at an auction dinner held at Bennetti's www.benettis.com. We'd like to thank Joe and Tricia for their continued support of Bobby on a Bike.