Credits

Thanks to all The Motley Crew (Clwyd, Dom & Steve) for their tremendous effort, determination and ability to cope with my cr*p jokes all day long!

Nicky - a top roadie, thanks for the drop-off & pick-up
Annabel - scrummy scones
Ralph - enthusiastic, but part-time, support
Sue - baking flap jacks, but we never made it to their pad
Mary - letting Clwyd get a new bike... oops!

Finally, a big THANK YOU for all money generously donated through Rwanda Aid
http://www.rwanda-aid.org/
for the development of sustainable low cost housing
http://sites.google.com/site/nkombohousingproject/home
and should you wish to donate more...
http://www.justgiving.com/MartynHarris2010

Day 3, Lenham to Dover

Which way? Forget Canterbury, let's get down to the coast - it's also nearer!

Ralph joins us for a few more km - although still refusing to be called in as "super-sub"

Dom demonstrating new technique for "bouncing" bike over a stile - 2/10

One for the Engineers - above CTRL!

We made it - Dover. Albeit, not a very salubrious finish point to North Downs Way.

A somewhat lighter day, "just" 58km and 5.5 hours on bike - yes, a good long Sunday lunch! A total of 245km, in 3 v long days - but super weather, top company & one helluva challenge, cracked!

Next year? Mmmm - something shorter, flatter, and without any bleeding stiles!

Day 2, Oxted to Lenham

All smiles at start of day - although we'd lost Steve, whose knees were shot - little did we know of (up) hills & (small) stiles to come...

Quick break, to admire the view... and order some special flowers?

Quite an impressive structure - and that's the Medway Bridge in the background

Structural form not so pleasing close up...

Soldiered on until 7.45pm, as that was the only B&B we could find (and not because I wanted to test out my new light!). Covered 87km, with over 9 hours in saddle - ouch!

You can create you own caption for this one...!

Day 1, Farnham to Oxted

NDW start - Fresh & fearless @ Farnham

Dom says "There's always time for tea, however small"

I never realised there were cliffs in Surrey?

Carbo loading, or just good old fashioned grease?

Our valiant effort to reach Wrotham & 95km in Day 1 was thwarted, by Box Hill (and other hills) - we settled on Oxted (80km after riding for 9.5 hours), as it was getting dark, we saw a train and dreamt of hot shower / cold beer!

Intro

What? North Downs Way Challenge

When? Friday 17th to Sunday 20th September 2010

Where? All along NDW, from Farnham to Dover (see map below)

How? On mountain bike (MTB)

Why? Challenge & fund raising for “pod development”

Who? Martyn, Clwyd & Dom plus (in parts) Steve & Ralph