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!

Training in public - with Pudsey

Banners up, spinning bikes borrowed, surprise bake sale - and Pudsey in attendance. We launched the Ultimate Commute today in B&Q House, catching colleagues as they made their way to the canteen at lunch time.

Lots of interest, questions about our training, the route and the ride - and about chafing!

It's all about me!!!

David Griffin's team surprised him by bringing in a selection of home made cakes for sale - with all proceeds going towards our sponsorship target.  The chocolate refrigerator cake was particularly appreciated by David!  He did his best to burn off the calories when with Julia, he took on an hour stint on the spinning bikes.

Sarah, Pudsey & Vicky

Sharon and Ben took over the bikes at 12:30, Gin and Victoria at 1, with Sarah and Vicky picking up the final shift at 1:15.
Sarah & Victoria are in the support team on the actual ride - so it was great that they had the chance to do a little cycling!

Ben, Pudsey & Sharon

Smarter Travel in Action

Rather than jumping into cabs to get between design shows, the B&Q lighting team tried out boris bikes in London this week - great to see imaginative business travel!

Surviving London on a bike!

So, the trip is looming and I promised to pen some thoughts about cycling in London based on my 2 years as a London cyclist.

There's probably a few key principles:

• Be assertive
• Get to the front and utilise the cyclist boxes
• Use the cycle lanes when they're available
• Make eye contact with drivers 

Nearly every junction in London has a big green box at the front, dedicated to cyclists. This is the safest place to be when waiting at traffic lights as you get out ahead of the cars / buses behind you.

As you approach a red light, aim to get to the cyclist box and be ready to pull out as soon as the lights change. If you're not sure if you'll get to the box in time, hang back and give yourself some breathing space from the vehicle in front of you.

If you're waiting at a box in poor light, I try and make eye contact with the drivers behind me to make sure they've seen me.

Watch out for doors opening from taxis etc, especially if they've pulled over.

Be assertive and make sure you've clearly indicated to change lanes.

Watch out for any vehicle turning left. If in doubt, hang back and give yourself some space at junctions.

Otherwise, it's just like any other cycling but a lot busier!

Lille, here we come.

Vic

Meet the support team - part 1

It sounds so simple - get on bikes and ride to Lille - but the closer we get to 28th September, the harder our tour manager Victoria is having to work!  Victoria's an events manager with a wealth of experience that includes sports events.  From negotiating train tickets for the return journey to persuading Tracey from B&Q House's gym to come along and advise on training, she's already busy with planning the challenge.

You may not recognise Victoria on the day we leave as she is also odds on favourite to be donning the Pudsey outfit!

Roy's also pictured here - he is going to be driving our support van - so here he's getting in some practise with heaving bike baggage around.

Roy and Victoria are to be joined by Sarah (as a driver) and Tracey (our challenge's fitness guru).

Did you know - cycling and walking can help with weight control

30 minutes of leisurely cycling will burn about 300 calories* - depening on your age, gender, weight and speed.  5 times a week, that'd be 1500 calories.  And assuming you do this 40 weeks a year, that's 60,000 calories - enough to lose 17lb of weight.**

30 minutes of walking at 3.5mph will burn about 140 calories.  Again, this will vary depending on your age, gender and weight.  5 times a week, that's 700 calories.  Assuming you do this 40 weeks a year, that's 28,000 calories - enough to lose 8lb of weight.**

Of course, these estimates assume that you don't eat any more calories!

* Source: World Cancer Research Fund
** Based on 3,500 calories to lose 1lb

Did you know - your journey may not be necessary

The quickest way to get to a meeting is reaching it from your desk!  Many of us already use telephone conference calls when a face-to-face meeting isn't possible.

Webinars are a simple way to take a group of people through a presentation.  Participants see the slides as the host talks and they can ask questions through audio or text chat based systems. 

But you can get get the benefit of face-to-face meetings virtually too.  Many businesses now have facilities for a huge range of video conferencing options ranging from Skype and similar desk based technologies all the way through to virtual telepresence meeting rooms.  Video conferencing allows participants to see body language and feel more involved in the meeting process.

Less time travelling, less cost of travelling - and it can be easier to get everyone you need together if you meet virtually.

Find out what your company can do to help you to cut back on business travel.