Street to Abergavenny (Pandy)

The morning started with a wake up call from Damian at 6.45. We were all shattered but we had to move on. We were on a mission. I had already decided not to cycle today as my behind was giving me too much trouble. I didn't want to risk any more serious injury by doing another 120 miles today and possibly risking not completing the journey. Damian, Ian, Deuan wer ready to go by 8am. Jorrin was just about to be ready however Damian pushed for a timely departure and Ian and Deuan followed. Myself and Ian helped fill everyones bottles but didn't really get involved in the hassle in the morning knowing that we're going to go by car. When Jorrin realised that everyone left he was really annoyed and decided to stay too. Jorrin had arranged to go to Wookey Hole (a cave labyrinth near Wells). We got there by 10am, had some ice cream and went into the caves on our complimentary ticket. The caves were impressive and the whole history was brought alive by the friendly guide. The caves have been used ever since the beginning of mankind as hideout and religious place, later some witches are believed to have habited in there bothering the local neighborhood. The last witch was driven out by a monk after some fighting with the monk turning the witch (and unfortunately also his dog), into stone by sprinkling them with holy cave water.

Jorrin was really unhappy about being left behind this morning considering he was almost ready to go and today's journey being rather straight forward. There really was an air of unhappiness and anger in the car with various opinions being expressed about team members individual performance, time and money being spent on planning and arranging the trip and everything now going pear shaped. Ian and Jorrin had decided to leave the 1000 Mile Challenge and go home back to London. This is how fed up they were with the team being split into two groups. For Ian, there was no point continuing to drive as there was no documentary that was going to come out of it. Jorrin was extremely unhappy about Damian wanting to go whenever he is ready, not waiting for anyone but also not supporting the team with general duties such as packing the car etc. There are obviously many different stories that are coming into play here and there are always two sides to the argument. From what I understand, Damian just wants to get up early in the morning and start cycling. However, the challenge is to cycle as a team whilst doing a documentary out of the ride to increase visibility for the sponsored charities and sponsors. It even got to the point where Ian and Jorrin discussed the way hone, what they'll take with them and how they'll get their stuff home. It was hard for me to stay impartial as I am friends with both Damian and Jorrin, and I could see both sides. Ultimately with Ian and Jorring leaving it was me or someone else who would have to continue driving the car, not being able to cycle. This was a totally different set-up.

We called Oli after we left Wookey Hole to meet up in Chepstow with the cyclists. In the car we decided that leaving the challenge now is really the worst possible solution. Jorrin, Ian and myself decided that we should try and go camping in the evening as planned - Damian was going to stay in a 5* hotel near the Black Mountains. We finally made it to Chepstow where Jorrin and Damian had a good old go at each other bringing up the various arguments that this whole disaster circled around: Not being a team, not waiting for people to get ready, being late in the morning, not leaving on time, not sticking to the route and points of interest to be visited, not waiting for the filming, etc.

What we found out later in the evening was that the Garmin re-routed the cyclists in the morning in a nice big circle bringing them back to the YHA on a 5 mile tour. This was enough for Oli to decide to go by himself as he wasn't having another Garmin detour staying on the very busy A roads until Chepstow. With heated heads, the groups (cyclists and non-cyclists) went their separate ways to meet later in Abergavenny, South of the Black Mountains. We got there in the car after an hour drive where I got to write up more of the blog. We went shopping at TESCO for BBQ tonight picking up a portable grill and foodstuff. A little later Oli called that they arrived at the meeting point, the big parking space in Abergavenny (at the bikers cafe). Oli's leg was giving him trouble (after last week's big crash) and Deuans behind wasn't much better. They'd done some 90 miles and were looking forward to some food and rest. Ian checked his phoen and found a couple of farmers where we could put up tent for the night. We set-off to Pandy some 5 miles away. Here we put up tent at The Rising Sun Inn which had a very good sized caravan campsite. We pitched tents (3) in record time, built the BBQ, I made some food for everyone, people went for the showers and then we all eat together with everyone helping to prepare, clean/ fix bikes, wash up etc. This was a great group activity and it certainly brought everyone together. The 1000 Miles Challenge continues!!!!