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.

Miller St

A ringer joins the crew! Thanks for the welcome and to Keith on the camera.

Nigel and Chris are joining us here, Nigel for the rest of the way and Chris as far as the Reebok at Bolton, so some help for tired legs.

Time for the next rider change, Ian takes charge once more as we head to OldTrafford.

Manchester City

Unfortunately, although we arrived at 5 the lady was no longer available to greet us, so just a photo from outside...

Taking in Britannia House, Leek

A very welcome shower and brief chat with Mr Beck. One of us would have had a coffee, but after placing it carefully on the top of the car boot he opened it up and... Yes, the coffee bit the dust. Doh! Gareth up next to lead us to the Etihad Manchester City stadium. Hope we catch him up!

Team sport relief at Britannia Stadium

All of us pitch side. Thanks Stoke City FC.

@britannia co-op stadium

Waiting for Alex and Andy at the Britannia. Lovely day again but windy. Need to get some shut eye.

Wolverhampton

Busy here, some sport of promotion going on so a quick pose for the photo and swap riders then we're on the way.

West Bromwich Albion

The ladies on reception kindly showed us to the stands for our team photo... Thank you!

Half the team are diverted to the Macdonalds over the road for breakfast again, meanwhile for two of us it's time to find a bike shop to replace the mysteriously disappearing lost saddle, while Tosh rides on to Wolves.

Aston Villa

Here we are pitch side at Villa park. Thank you to the security team.

A well earned cuppa

After an hour's sleep, time for a brew at 5.30 while we wait for the bike to catch up.

Norwich, Carrow Road

Half way through Gareth's turn, here we are at the Jarrold stand of Norwich city football club. Andy and Alex are heading off straight to Wisbech, 60 miles hence, to get a chance to eat and snatch an hour's kip before Gareth, Tosh and Ian catch up around 11.30 we think.

Last stop before Norwich

Tottenham, White Hart Lane. Sterling job by Ian to see us safely to all the London clubs. Definitely quickest to cross London on the bike! Those of us following in the cars had to battle the queues of morning commuters. We're about an hour ahead of schedule still, despite the stops and starts, so apart from a lack of sleep all going well so far!

Beautiful morning sunshine and quite warm now for the next leg.

Quick breakfast stop

Just past the Emirates Arsenal stadium, spotted a handy sign for breakfast at the golden arches. Time for a quick blog entry!

Sorry the live tracking hasn't been working properly, we're sorting that out but it may not show the swansea to london leg now. If you want to see that look at http://www.mapmytracks.com/adrenalex as both of us have been tracking it.

QPR Loftus Road

Here we are after the first night, no more than an hour or so sleep each, the logistics are working out just as tough as the ride...

Pitch-side at Liberty, Abertawe

Thank you Swans! Off we go...

Swansea - team photo at the start

Chilly down here, gentle breeze from the west and a cheeky little hill to greet the first rider on the way towards the coast!

The hard work of fundraising

A few pictures from today's efforts. Thanks to Steph and our helpers!

And the counting continues.......

It's keeping the kids quiet.  Up to £300 so far, but pausing for Coronation St, Eastenders & more Coronation St !!! 

The finer things....

Yep, modern man can turn his hand to a "bit" of pasta for the big event. Either that or starve or pot noodle - not sure which is worse.

Reckon that should keep us going for a day at best!

Fund raising - more exhausting than riding!

Great day in the office today for fund raising. Big thanks to all Co-operative and Steria colleagues for their generosity.
Scores on the doors will be in the website soon. We should be at our next target of £1500 very soon.

Preparation for the ride

Getting the beast ready the big ride. It's not been off its leash since the three peaks tour last September. Time for a shake down ride.

Let's hope the weather next week is anything like today!

Top 50 fundraiser

We are currently 50th in the Top 100 fundraisers for Sport Relief.   Please help us maintain this position and even climb the charts!

Scenes from the ride home

All peaceful apart from me terrorising the geese along the tow path. Shame I didn't leave time for a quiet pint in that pub...