Friday – Setting off from B&Q House

What a send off!  I don’t think any of us expected to see so many of our B&Q House colleagues come to cheer us on our way – and I don’t think I was the only one to feel quite emotional to receive such amazing support.

We’d started the day early with breakfast & a briefing in the canteen, followed by a warm up session ably led by B&Q Gym’s Tracey Prynne.  Bags were loaded onto the van, maps handed out – and some photos and filming, before going into B&Q House’s Heart Space – and seeing all the balconies and floor space packed full with supporters.  Pudsey was there too of course!

Ian Herrett, B&Q’s Commercial Director wished us well on our ride.  He mentioned the bit in our briefing notes about how cyclists take an average of 18% fewer days off sick.  The Mayor of Eastleigh, Rupert Kyrle,  decided that Lille was in France and was really complimentary about our efforts to promote sustainable transport.  And Pudsey waved.

Our colleagues formed a guard of honour down the cycle path from the offices to the road – and we were on our way.  So many different speeds in the team – we’ve got keen club cyclists like Richard and Andres, ultra fit cyclists like Vicky – and steady-but-not-quite-as-speedy cyclists like me!  We split into 2 groups.

Glorious sunshine as we worked our way north east through Winchester and then through beautiful rolling Hampshire countryside – the Candovers and Ellisfield. Through Odiham and then up to Fleet, we arrived at B&Q Farnborough to an enthusiastic reception from the store team.  Pudsey was already there – raising more sponsorship from colleagues and customers.

After lunch, the rain began and we set off, following Victoria in the support car to negotiate up to the A30.  The support van came into its own as Mike got his first puncture of the day by Virginia Water, rushing to his rescue, only to find that he’d pretty much fixed it!

We regrouped at Royal Holloway to face the entry to Greater London – figuring we’d be safer as a big group.  I can’t pretend that it was my favourite part of the day, with planes landing over our heads by Heathrow – and then getting to navigate London streets and London traffic in the wet.  Julia had a toe clip incident, falling off, but luckily no harm done & she bravely jumped straight on her bike again.  Mike had yet another puncture near Bayswater –and Julia had one yards from the finish point.

Just as we got to Paddington, the sun came out again.  Our CEO Martyn Phillips and People Director Fraser Longden were there to greet us along with a surprising number of Kingfisher colleagues, given that it was late-ish on a Friday.  Mary and JV from Kingfisher had cakes and tea lined up for us – and we were allowed to store our bikes over night in the canteen.

Dinner at an Italian restaurant.  Very intrigued that a beautiful young woman materialised to chat closely with Andres!