The Updated Team

L-R: Danny Clifford, Dan Smart, Alastair Smart,

Phil Smart, Dan Barker, Keith Broadhurst

As planned the whole squad managed to meet up this morning and get an updated team photo at the first checkpoint of the '5 Valleys Walk' in Nailsworth.

While we were there the photographer from the Stroud News arrived, so we might get some wider publicity in the coming week... fingers crossed.

This weekend was also the last opportunity for the cyclists to do some decent distance on their bikes before the working week takes us up to the departure date next Friday at 10h00 from the Clothiers in Stroud (it's all starting to feel a bit more real now!).

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The Preparations

With only a week to go the whole group are taking the final steps to prepare themselves for a tough ten days.  Ferry crossings have been arranged and accommodation along the route has all been booked.

As well as spending as many spare hours as possible in the saddle, each of the cyclists is making their final kit purchases and taking care of the last minute mechanical adjustments to their bikes, while I have been busying myself with online maps and the Sat-Nav!

As this Sunday is the 5 Valleys Walk, we thought it would be a good opportunity to meet up and get an updated group photo.  We all plan to be at the first Checkpoint between 09h30 and 10h00, so a new pic will follow shortly.

The Team Changes

There have been a couple of changes to the POTY Squad since the last post, to both the cycling and supporting elements of the team (updated photo to follow soon!).

Dan Barker and Danny Clifford join the team as the fourth and fifth cyclists.

Unfortunately Ian Sutton has had to pull out from the event due to family health reasons; his support and assistance will be sorely missed on the trip.

Our thanks go to 1st Call Auto Rentals (Ebley) for giving us a great rate on the support vehicle.