As an eventful two weeks on the road for Han’s Tours' duo Hana and Tasha Roks, the former details the trials and tribulations facing them on their 20 Ground Cycle Challenge from days’ one to five.
Day 1 of cycle
We left Goodison Park on Monday 18 August and made the short journey to Anfield, before heading up to Manchester. We seemed to be in Warrington forever and were very relieved when we finally made it to the Old Trafford.
What I had never realised before was how far away Manchester City’s stadium was from their neighbours. Obviously, it began to pour down and by the time we got to the Etihad we were like drowned rats!
That evening we were staying in a place called Todmorden having been put up by our lovely friends for the night, raring to go the next day.
Day 2 of cycle
First stop on day number two was Burnley’s Turf Moor. I managed to get in to the directors’ box for a couple of photos, but all I could do was think of was Louis Saha's penalty miss from a few seasons back.
After negotiating some ridiculously steep moors we made it to just outside Richmond where we camped for the evening. We told the owners of the site about our challenge and they allowed us to stay for free!
Day 3 of cycle
The next day was mainly spent on country roads; we knew we had to make it to Newcastle, preferably before dark. We carried on going past the Angel of the North, and didn't arrive in our hotel until around 10pm. We were absolutely exhausted. It felt strange as this was the first day we hadn't visited any grounds.
Day 4 of cycle
After some much needed food and sleep, net morning we cycled straight to St James' Park. We managed to get a photo outside taken by a friendly passer-by,
20-odd miles later Sunderland's Stadium of Light came into view; it was just after this point that we got our first puncture, followed swiftly by another two is quick succession.
Upon finally getting into Hull we had a full rest day ahead as, not only we were due one, it was also Tasha's birthday. We visited Hull’s ground and were shown around the whole stadium. We also managed to watch Everton against Arsenal.
Next up was the trip towards Leicester, with directions taking us straight over the Humber Bridge which was really good to see. We managed to get as far as a place called Norton Disney, which was nothing like Disney world. Indeed, the campsite was in the middle of nowhere and we had to cycle back on ourselves to get any food for tea!
Day 5 of cycle
Upon heading to Leicester disaster struck. We got as far as Bingham, and in the middle of nowhere I was cycling away and my bottom bracket locked and my pedals wouldn't move. We started to walk and realised it was a Bank holiday as well and any small cycle shop would be shut. Eventually we came to a train station and both agreed we would have to get the train
After so much fuss, the next morning we were able to get the pedals sorted.
Half a mile away from Leicester’s ground another disaster struck a part of my gear fell out and we had to walk back to the city centre to get it fixed. We then visited the ground, with the staff more than happy to show us around. They still had the Everton badge up on the boards.
Just as we left the biggest disaster of all struck, (they say it comes in three) my whole gear literally snapped off. Every cycle shop said they never had the part and we were losing precious time. In the end I had to call Carena, who racked her brains for a solution which came in the shape Julie's Cycles. Within five minutes a lovely man called Ken said he had found a solution.
Within half an hour he had put brand new gears on my bike and a temporary part to keep them on. We were ecstatic! He didn't even charge us he said he had done it for the charity which was just amazing! I also checked the donations at this point and they were over £1000. It had been worth all the stress!
Next stop London!
