Top Tenors on Tour

Our first day was, in broad terms, a bit of a loosener: 33 miles from Howardsgate in Welwyn Garden City to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park.

It was less of a loosener for Stewart, who first cycled an additional 17.4 miles from Chipperfield to WGC!

It was great to see Phil and David at the starting line, with some superb photographs from the Welsh Paparazzo.

After some initial wrong turns—blamed by Ali on “the app” and “the wrong kind of sunlight on the screen”—we were soon underway on National Cycle Route 12.

After negotiating the climb to the Ridgeway, we enjoyed a pleasant descent, apart from a few short, sharp urban hills, into London. Our route took us through Stew’s childhood stomping grounds in Enfield and Barnet.

Managing to avoid the traffic, we followed a chain of parks before emerging near Finsbury Park, with photograph stops at Arsenal FC and Alexandra Palace.

Speeding through Clerkenwell, we were crossing Blackfriars Bridge in no time. We then arrived in Greenwich Park to enjoy one of London’s most beautiful panoramas—and the end of a successful first day.

Cyclists love a good statistic, and our second day in the saddle did not disappoint on the numbers front:

Distance: 74 miles Climbing: 2,346 feet of ascent Punctures: 3 Post-ride pizzas: 4

Stew and I set out from Greenwich at 8.30am and made rapid progress towards Farningham in Kent. We arrived only a few minutes late for our rendezvous with cycling companions Barry and Steve, following a rapid inner-tube change after my first puncture of the trip.

We suspect Barry and Steve may both be Second Tenors!

The serious hills started almost immediately, with a 580-foot climb out of Eynsford. This was probably the hardest climb of the day and set the tone for a rolling, undulating 50 miles across the North and South Downs—hard work, but with the most scenic of backdrops as our reward.

Affectionately known as the Garden of England, Kent now has a second, lesser-used moniker: the County of Unfortunate Punctures.

With less than half the distance completed, I experienced my second and third tyre failures in quick succession. Unofficial mechanic Steve came to my rescue and repaired my sorry tyre. At that stage, only 35 miles into the ride, I almost resorted to taking the train. Thanks to everyone’s patience and assistance, however, I was able to complete the journey as planned.

It was a long day of winding ascents and descents across the beautiful Kent countryside. After one final push, we were delighted to descend into Hythe, arriving via the Military Canal and seafront before continuing to Folkestone for a well-earned beer—and those four pizzas.

Day 3: Folkestone to Bruges

Bonjour—and now goedenavond—from Bruges!

Following the Channel crossing, Ali and Stew continued through northern France and into Belgium. A fountain in Dunkirk provided an opportunity for a photograph—and apparently one especially for Phil!

After the hills and punctures of Day 2, today’s route offered the welcome relief of a lovely, flat cycle towards Bruges. The weather remained completely dry for almost the entire journey.

With their destination tantalisingly close, the weather finally caught up with them. A huge thunderstorm arrived just five minutes before they reached Bruges, ensuring a thoroughly dramatic—and rather wet—end to an otherwise dry day.

Despite the last-minute soaking, Ali and Stew have arrived safely in Bruges and completed another major stage of their journey.

Ali, Stew, Steve and Barrios have made it to Ghent! 🚲

Day four took the team from Bruges to Ghent — 29 miles that, on paper at least, were supposed to be the easiest of the entire ride.

After leaving Bruges at 9am, they made rapid progress along the canal towards Ghent, interrupted only by the important matter of finding breakfast. Stew enlisted the help of a passing cyclist, who led them to a local supermarket and the promise of baguettes and pastries.

Apparently this was all too exciting for Ali's bicycle. His inner tube spontaneously popped, followed a few miles later by puncture number five of the trip.

By now operating like a professional pit crew, Steve dealt with both problems while Ali concentrated on the equally important task of finishing his baguette.

Just five miles from Ghent, the Belgian weather had one final challenge in store. A heavy thunderstorm forced the team to shelter beneath a motorway bridge for around an hour before they could make the final, very wet push into the city.

They arrived in Ghent during the afternoon — tired, wet and immensely proud, with their fundraising target well and truly smashed.

And now, at last, they can join the rest of WGCMVC for the Belgium Tour. 🍫🍺🎶

The Day 4 Awards

🏆 Most Able Leader of the Peloton with Terrifyingly Powerful Thighs Stewart “Dirige Nos Domine” Hunt

🔧 Chief Engineer with Patience of a Saint Steve “I Don't Need Tyre Levers” Whitley

🧙 Grand High Cycling Wizard and Mentor Extraordinaire Barrios “No beer until we've finished the day's ride” Costas

🗺️ Squadron Leader and Map Geek Ali “There are honestly no more hills on this route” Macdonald

Four days. A lot of miles. Five punctures. One thunderstorm too many.

Ghent reached. Mission accomplished. 🚲🍫🍺🎶

And judging by Stew's photographic evidence, the post-ride recovery programme is already well underway! 🍺😂