Newcastle

We made it, all safe and sound at 12.45 or so. A total of about 68 hours on the go, a combined core team total of maybe 30 hours sleep in 3 nights between the 5 of us, never more than 2 hours at a time to complete the 775 or so miles. One iphone and a saddle as casualties, no proper meals but lots of energy drinks, bananas, malt loaf, and a couple of fried breakfasts.

Shortly after arrival at the main reception in the Marsden stand, Dennis met us and we went through the players tunnel to the pitch for photos. An impressive stadium to finish on. Each one had its own character and a real sense of proud history even in the new stadiums.

We're all keen to get back now and get some rest, so back on the road, this time without the live tracking!

It's all being made worthwhile by your kind donations to sport relief to sponsor us, which spurred us on our way right to the finish. Thank you so much for all your support, the total is still rising.

Sunderland

Stadium of light

We've assembled en masse for the last leg... 2 drivers, 1 recovering, 3 cycling.

Survived the Yorkshire Dales

We made it through the hills and valleys, including a long 1 in 4 climb and many steep smaller ones, and here we are now at Richmond. In need of a fry up, or as one of us said, a beer and a burger. 

No more night rides now but the Exposure light sets have done us proud, excellent visibility in complete darkness, particularly from the lamps fitted to the top of the cycle helmets. As featured in previous photos!

Blackburn - ?

We would have blogged a picture from Ewood stadium, but less than a mile hence Gareth dropped his iPhone, complete with said photo, but didn't notice for the next 15 miles or so! So high drama at the next changeover, no "Find my iPhone" app option was activated and who knew where it might be along the way? Somehow they did spot it, on the way retracing the route in the van while Ian was catching up to the rest of us in Gargrave!!

We'll update the blog later with the stadium photo, meanwhile here is what's left of the iPhone.

Wigan and Bolton

I never realised how big the hills were between the East Lancs and Wigan. Lots to negotiate, into a head wind too. We made it though, slow and steady.

All quiet at DW, but the security team at the Reebok stadium let us onto the pitch, thank you. Bit dark for photos outside though so we posed in front of the press boards.

Everton and Liverpool

We looped around anti-clockwise, met some friendly Everton people who let us park up inside the gate briefly, but no access to either ground. Here are the photos, a bit dark!

Manchester United

Old Trafford at sunset. We're pairing up now so Ian and Nigel are taking us to St Helens, Chris and Andy from there into Liverpool and back out.

...so where's Gareth? He was trying to blag our way inside, but no such luck this time.