Isolas Charity Cycle - Cape St Vincent - Gibraltar

... and they made it!

2009-10-28T17:29:00.000+01:00

The Team has successfully made it back home after 5 grueling days of cycling. Sore as they are, just check out those smiles of relief!

More photos to follow shortly.

Well done to them all!!!

IMPORTANT: The contents of this email and any attachments are confidential. They are intended for the named recipient(s) only.
If you have received this email in error, please notify the system manager or the sender immediately and do not disclose the contents to anyone or make copies thereof.
*** eSafe scanned this email for viruses, vandals, and malicious content. ***

Woohoo!

2009-10-28T13:43:00.000+01:00

We're at the frenazo! Nearly there!

Some pics from yesterday

2009-10-28T09:31:00.001+01:00

Windows Live Hotmail: Your friends can get your Facebook updates, right from Hotmail®.

Heading off on day 5 - The final stretch

2009-10-28T09:25:00.001+01:00

The guys are going on the final 83km stretch. It is going to ba a tough terrain to cover (the legendary Ruta Del Toro). Further aggravated by a fierce headwind. However, they have got here already and nothing is going to stop them now.

Windows Live: Friends get your Flickr, Yelp, and Digg updates when they e-mail you.

Last day - homeward bound

2009-10-28T07:58:00.000+01:00

First one up and about. Just went outside to look at the weather - strong headwind the whole way!!! Oh joy!!!

Tough ride yesterday. Possibly the toughest yet. Felt really good but I reckon the bee sting on my neck had something to do with that. Note to self - Need to test bee stings as a performance enhancing drug!
Enviado desde mi dispositivo inalámbrico BlackBerry®

Lovely yet windy ride..

2009-10-27T23:24:00.000+01:00

I was enjoying this part of the day though it was very windy as you can prob hear..little did i know at that point that round the corner was a short but very nasty hill on which my legs nearly exploded! lol

Kieron

Team at dinner

2009-10-27T21:17:00.000+01:00

Sitting at Restaurante Cadiz in Medina Sidonia having a beautiful dinner.
Shaun Zammitt

The lights are on, but there's no-one at home

2009-10-27T18:51:00.000+01:00

Flying across open plains (wind turbines in the background,never a good sign). So tired, I had my eyes closed. Nee no nee no nee no (ambulance please)

Joey Garcia
ISOLAS
Tel: +350 78363
Fax: +350 78990
Email: joey.garcia@isolas.gi
www.gibraltarlawyers.com
**********************************************************************************************
IMPORTANT: The contents of this email and any attachments are confidential. They are intended for the
named recipient(s) only.
If you have received this email in error, please notify the system manager or the sender immediately and do
not disclose the contents to anyone or make copies thereof.
*** eSafe scanned this email for viruses, vandals, and malicious content. ***
**********************************************************************************************

Oh. My. God.

2009-10-27T18:41:00.000+01:00

Going strong

2009-10-27T15:54:00.001+01:00

The guys are still going strong, albeit through some very unforgiving warm weather. Another 45 k or so should see us arrive in Medina Sidonia.

Keep your friends updated— even when you're not signed in.

Why have Isostar carb bars when you can have a secreto iberico?

2009-10-27T15:17:00.000+01:00

Just a light snack to keep going, washed down with some coffee and marlboro lights.
Joey Garcia
ISOLAS
Tel: +350 78363
Fax: +350 78990
Email: joey.garcia@isolas.gi
www.gibraltarlawyers.com
**********************************************************************************************
IMPORTANT: The contents of this email and any attachments are confidential. They are intended for the
named recipient(s) only.
If you have received this email in error, please notify the system manager or the sender immediately and do
not disclose the contents to anyone or make copies thereof.
*** eSafe scanned this email for viruses, vandals, and malicious content. ***
**********************************************************************************************

Check out the tan line!

2009-10-27T15:02:00.000+01:00

It's roasting right now! The slow progress on the hills isn't helping either...

Going strong

2009-10-27T14:49:00.000+01:00

Shaun Zammitt

1st Technical Difficulties

2009-10-27T14:48:00.001+01:00

Roundup. Cycling from Coria Del Rio to Medina Sidonia. At Gibalbin. Selwyn broke a spoke and had to change the wheel (thank god we had a spare...). Chippie also got a puncture so we're having a break for lunch and will push on. We've covered 72 kms including some seriously hilly bits...

More updates and action shots a bit later...

Take me hoooooooome, country rooooooooooad

2009-10-27T14:47:00.000+01:00

Its going to be a long and hot day today. Selwyn already one wheel down. Oh dear
Joey Garcia
ISOLAS
Tel: +350 78363
Fax: +350 78990
Email: joey.garcia@isolas.gi
www.gibraltarlawyers.com
**********************************************************************************************
IMPORTANT: The contents of this email and any attachments are confidential. They are intended for the
named recipient(s) only.
If you have received this email in error, please notify the system manager or the sender immediately and do
not disclose the contents to anyone or make copies thereof.
*** eSafe scanned this email for viruses, vandals, and malicious content. ***
**********************************************************************************************

Team at lunch

2009-10-27T14:43:00.000+01:00

Nee Noo

2009-10-27T08:59:00.001+01:00

Day 4, new world of pain. How do the tour guys do what they do?

Fideo

Day 3 Roundup - Stop Press

2009-10-26T20:45:00.000+01:00

Shaun: as if he hadn't done anything at all.

Fideo

After only two days. Selwyn did this you know??

2009-10-26T20:38:00.001+01:00

Shaun Zammitt

Awesome dinner

2009-10-26T20:19:00.000+01:00

Restaurant round the corner from the Random Church

Random Church - Seville by night

2009-10-26T19:44:00.000+01:00

We're walking but not yet eating. I'm about to get violent

Team Roundup - Day 3 - 131kms

2009-10-26T18:11:00.001+01:00

Fideo: was feeling good before the lunch stop. The food took its time to digest so he spent most of the afternoon wondering where his legs had gone. 10k from the finish, digestion was complete and his legs (warp engines) were back online. The leading group was then promptly pulled to the finish at a ridiculous speed and Joey took the stage sprint win. Selwyn is out for the count...
Joey: was chased by a dragon all day, took stage victory. Out for the count
Chippie (AKA Lilo): Quite an uneventful but steady day in front, helped to bring the rear in at the end.
Kieron: steady as ever, hasn't felt it too much.
Rocky: good day in the saddle, is trying to speak the dragon down as I type. Didn't find the legs to reel Joey in at the end. Out for the count.
Evgeny: strong start, difficult middle, good end. Out for the count

All in all, tough day at the office.

Pics of us at dinner to follow...

Fideo

Why is Rocky in black kit?

2009-10-26T18:03:00.000+01:00

Just for the record, I am wearing black because I refused to recycle smelly kit (unlike all my colleagues). The team bus now has a washing line and it looks like a cheap chinese laundry! I can tell you it's not fun when you are cycling behind any of them! Now all kit washed so back in team kit tomorrow.

Rocky
Enviado desde mi dispositivo inalámbrico BlackBerry®

A whole new world of pain

2009-10-26T17:53:00.000+01:00

Day 3 totalled 131.5 km. Selwyn got it wrong earlier. I can barely type I am so tired...I am just popping out...I may be some time...............
Enviado desde mi dispositivo inalámbrico BlackBerry®

End of day 3 - 125kms and a time trial

2009-10-26T16:20:00.001+01:00

I'm whacked... Pictures when I have the strength

Fideo

Final stretch on day 3 only 20K or so to go!

2009-10-26T15:20:00.000+01:00

Shaun Zammitt

Who needs carbs

2009-10-26T13:24:00.000+01:00

When you've got cigarettes... Not proud of this pic, but its the reality...

Off to do another 50kms

Fideo

1st stop of the day after 75kms

2009-10-26T13:10:00.000+01:00

Not much energy left to type... Another 50 left to go. In Almonte

Setting off - Day 3

2009-10-26T09:12:00.000+01:00

Day 3 - Healthcheck

2009-10-26T07:56:00.000+01:00

Morning of day 3. Team health as follows:

Selwyn - Mr Nurofen is holding up well. However, is starting to use my Voltarol cream more and more.

Joey - Not up yet. Hopefully no hangover today.

Chippy - After a terrible stitch yesterday which crippled him for the last 20 km has vowed to make us pay today with a hard pace.

Kieron - I swear he has more muscles now than when we left!

Evgeny - Feels no pain or if he does he doesn't say so!

Me - Thank god for Immodium!!!!

Rocky
Enviado desde mi dispositivo inalámbrico BlackBerry®

Welcome to Mosquito Central

2009-10-26T07:51:00.000+01:00

Good morning. Jumping in the shower now...

Map reading for beginners

2009-10-25T21:23:00.001+01:00

Not good

Fideo

Re-routing; Nee Noo

2009-10-25T21:23:00.000+01:00

We're trying to reroute cos there's no need to go through Gibraleon. I just hope there's no random or gratuitous hillage.

Fingers crossed

Fideo 'Not Marco Pantani or Alberto Contador' Figueras

The place that jokes are made about!

2009-10-25T20:31:00.000+01:00

BlackBerry de movistar, allí donde estés está tu oficin@

Dinner Time - Day 2

2009-10-25T20:23:00.000+01:00

At the hotel (awesome for 40 EURs per room per night) about to have dinner. Team roundup:
Joey: Game over
Fideo: Dodgy knee, otherwise feeling good (thank you Nurofen)
Rocky: had the runs but ok now (thank you Imodium)
Evgeny: pulled all day long, good pace, looking as cool, calm and collected as ever.
Kieron: pacing himself and feeling good for it.
Chippie: indigestion notwithstanding, feeling good.
Shaun: like he hasn't done anything.

Tomorrow we go past half way...
**********************************************************************************************
IMPORTANT: The contents of this email and any attachments are confidential. They are intended for the
named recipient(s) only.
If you have received this email in error, please notify the system manager or the sender immediately and do
not disclose the contents to anyone or make copies thereof.
*** eSafe scanned this email for viruses, vandals, and malicious content. ***
**********************************************************************************************

End of Day 2

2009-10-25T18:06:00.001+01:00

Arrived in Cartaya now 105kms, had to stop earlier than Gibraleon as one of the team was struggling with a bit of indigestion! It was a long day because we did 70km this morning and had to stop to take the ferry, have lunch and then 35kms more...

We've enjoyed it today, even if we were a bit sore. Roll on tomorrow
**********************************************************************************************
IMPORTANT: The contents of this email and any attachments are confidential. They are intended for the
named recipient(s) only.
If you have received this email in error, please notify the system manager or the sender immediately and do
not disclose the contents to anyone or make copies thereof.
*** eSafe scanned this email for viruses, vandals, and malicious content. ***
**********************************************************************************************

Ready for the crossing, support car and all!!

2009-10-25T15:03:00.000+01:00

Shaun Zammitt

Crossing over to spain

2009-10-25T14:56:00.000+01:00

Game over...

2009-10-25T14:48:00.001+01:00

I am fine though! HI FIVE!!!

2009-10-25T14:26:00.000+01:00

Shaun Zammitt

Some are dead, others dying gently.

2009-10-25T14:24:00.000+01:00

Shaun Zammitt

At Vila Real San Antonio

2009-10-25T14:19:00.000+01:00

Llanito towel heaven

About to cross into Spain
**********************************************************************************************
IMPORTANT: The contents of this email and any attachments are confidential. They are intended for the
named recipient(s) only.
If you have received this email in error, please notify the system manager or the sender immediately and do
not disclose the contents to anyone or make copies thereof.
*** eSafe scanned this email for viruses, vandals, and malicious content. ***
**********************************************************************************************

Where is the ticket lady???

2009-10-25T14:15:00.001+01:00

Shaun Zammitt

Welcome to Fat Mountain

2009-10-25T13:51:00.001+01:00

Shaun Zammitt

And then there were six!!!

2009-10-25T11:12:00.000+01:00

Joey has now joined the party and the guys are off!!
Shaun Zammitt

Just do it - Las Vegas

2009-10-25T11:01:00.001+01:00

Joey fresh (kind of) off the plane

Fideo
**********************************************************************************************
IMPORTANT: The contents of this email and any attachments are confidential. They are intended for the
named recipient(s) only.
If you have received this email in error, please notify the system manager or the sender immediately and do
not disclose the contents to anyone or make copies thereof.
*** eSafe scanned this email for viruses, vandals, and malicious content. ***
**********************************************************************************************

At the airport, waiting for Joey

2009-10-25T10:57:00.001+01:00

16kms to the airport. Our bums were not best pleased about getting back on the bike today. Most of us are now wearing anti-chafing cream...

The team will soon be complete

2009-10-25T09:25:00.001+01:00

As we prepare to head out for day 2, we're looking forward to collecting the last remaining member of the team from Faro airport. He's flying straight from a stag night to join us for the rest of the challenge.

The Team Car

2009-10-25T08:48:00.000+01:00

Early morning... Time for breakfast

Fideo

Brekkie - day 2

2009-10-25T08:19:00.000+01:00

After a night in a very dodgy Residencia chosen by Shaun...I won't even mention how little it cost...up for brekkie and looking forward to todays ride. Chippy and Evgeny not up yet.

Rocky
Enviado desde mi dispositivo inalámbrico BlackBerry®

Portuguese TV

2009-10-24T20:23:00.001+02:00

Watching Double Jeopardy on Portuguese TV... I thought Spanish channels were ad intensive but they still have plenty to learn from the Portuguese. Frango Piri Piri for dinner...

Recovery time

2009-10-24T20:16:00.001+02:00

Shaun Zammitt

Relaxing

2009-10-24T20:07:00.001+02:00

Chilling in the hotel room before dinner..have to say TV entertainment here is worse than watching weeds grow!!

Kieron
BlackBerry de movistar, allí donde estés está tu oficin@
**********************************************************************************************
IMPORTANT: The contents of this email and any attachments are confidential. They are intended for the
named recipient(s) only.
If you have received this email in error, please notify the system manager or the sender immediately and do
not disclose the contents to anyone or make copies thereof.
*** eSafe scanned this email for viruses, vandals, and malicious content. ***
**********************************************************************************************

Portuguese idea of a beef sandwich

2009-10-24T17:23:00.000+02:00

Shaun Zammitt

Thanks Albert

2009-10-24T17:01:00.001+02:00

Just wanted to thank Albert for letting us bring his bike as a spare. So far hasn't been needed but still a long way to go.

Rocky
Enviado desde mi dispositivo inalámbrico BlackBerry®

1 day in - God help us

2009-10-24T16:43:00.000+02:00

Recovery, Day 1

2009-10-24T16:41:00.001+02:00

OK, so we've done 106kms, I've burnt 3500 calories and its now that the full extent of what we're doing is dawning on me.

We set out from Cabo S.Vicente at 0913 this morning on what was a beautiful October morning, not much wind considering where we were and, after checking tyre pressures we headed off...

There's been plenty of gentle climbs and, not surprisingly for us, a head wind pretty much all the way.

We're feeling it on our legs and we'll have to see what we're like tomorrow.

Off to a bike shop after lunch and then a nap. I'll keep you all posted...

Fideo

OMG who's idea was this?

2009-10-24T16:33:00.001+02:00

5 days of this!

Rocky
Enviado desde mi dispositivo inalámbrico BlackBerry®

Day 1 done!

2009-10-24T15:49:00.000+02:00

107kms, 3,500 calories later and we're in Almancil. Update in a bit

Mid-way pit stop

2009-10-24T12:55:00.001+02:00

Shaun Zammitt

So much for tailswinds!

2009-10-24T12:51:00.001+02:00

The weather man said tailwinds. What did we get? Headwinds! Typical.
Enviado desde mi dispositivo inalámbrico BlackBerry®

54kms down

2009-10-24T12:45:00.001+02:00

450 odd to go. Average 25kms an hour and we've stopped to refuel. Snickers crunch, guilt free, and a gatorade and a coffee and we're moving on. Next stop: Almancil.

Fideo

09:15 and they're off

2009-10-24T10:20:00.001+02:00

Shaun Zammitt

At the starting point

2009-10-24T10:19:00.000+02:00

Shaun Zammitt

Setting up

2009-10-24T10:02:00.000+02:00

**********************************************************************************************
IMPORTANT: The contents of this email and any attachments are confidential. They are intended for the
named recipient(s) only.
If you have received this email in error, please notify the system manager or the sender immediately and do
not disclose the contents to anyone or make copies thereof.
*** eSafe scanned this email for viruses, vandals, and malicious content. ***
**********************************************************************************************

We're up

2009-10-24T08:45:00.001+02:00

Actually, we've been up most of the night at the mercy of a rogue mosquito driving us up the wall. The hotel room? Well I've had more neck support from a Yehuda Matzo than from my pillow and I could have done with air conditioning too but this, after all is meant to be a challenge!

Check out the weather though! Off to breakfast soon and will be heading out of here at about nine to the starting gates. We're one hour behind Gib here...

Fideo

Typical Portuguese food??

2009-10-23T22:10:00.000+02:00

Sellors has indeed ordered spag bol, however Mr Becerra has actually ordered another Portugese delight - Peppered Steak!!!!
Shaun Zammitt

Carb-loading at its best

2009-10-23T21:58:00.000+02:00

Dinner

2009-10-23T21:49:00.000+02:00

We can't believe we are in Portugal and Sellers orders spag bols!!!
BlackBerry de movistar, allí donde estés está tu oficin@
**********************************************************************************************
IMPORTANT: The contents of this email and any attachments are confidential. They are intended for the
named recipient(s) only.
If you have received this email in error, please notify the system manager or the sender immediately and do
not disclose the contents to anyone or make copies thereof.
*** eSafe scanned this email for viruses, vandals, and malicious content. ***
**********************************************************************************************

Dinner Time

2009-10-23T21:09:00.001+02:00

Shaun Zammitt

Not bad for 130 Eurs for two nights/two rooms!

2009-10-23T20:07:00.000+02:00

The hotel here, the Don Tenorio is well nice! Bikes unpacked and van parked we're shortly heading out for dinner.

The weather is spectacular, I really think we're going to have fair cycling weather. All we need is a stiff tail wind

Selwyn

The Team

2009-10-23T19:27:00.000+02:00

We're at the starting line!

2009-10-23T19:19:00.000+02:00

we're here! Its been a long drive, but we're here and it looks awesome. Just have a look at the picture... We're going to head to the hotel, unpack the bikes and get carb loading!

Nearly there

2009-10-23T18:07:00.000+02:00

About 100kms to go get to the start point! We're only now realising quite how much we're actually going to be cycling over the next few days...

Seville

2009-10-23T16:34:00.000+02:00

Another stop. The van's not the fastest! Looking forward to carb-loading tonight!

2009-10-23T16:33:00.001+02:00

Selwyn is really into the carb loading for tomorrow...donuts and madalenas para el te!!!!
Enviado desde mi dispositivo inalámbrico BlackBerry®

Smoking

2009-10-23T13:20:00.000+02:00

We probably should be smoking less too. Can't imagine it would be helpful. Mind you we have beetroot juice, cherry supplements, anit-chafing cream, anti-pain cream (!), and Food Doctor nuts, courtesy of Joey...

We're over the border and on our way...

Traffic

2009-10-23T13:03:00.000+02:00

Still in Gib, in the car and stuck by the runway. You have to love the traffic here. Its a tight squeeze in the van, good thing Joey's not coming all the way to the starting point...

By the way, please ignore the disclaimers at the end of the posts I send by email. Standard corporate disclaimer and all that...
**********************************************************************************************
IMPORTANT: The contents of this email and any attachments are confidential. They are intended for the
named recipient(s) only.
If you have received this email in error, please notify the system manager or the sender immediately and do
not disclose the contents to anyone or make copies thereof.
*** eSafe scanned this email for viruses, vandals, and malicious content. ***
**********************************************************************************************

Alarm bells

2009-10-23T10:51:00.005+02:00

Selwyn spotted at 10.50am with packages of beetroot juice and spirulina tablets....but no chafing cream.

Remember this quote people.....(selwyn) 'but you know what, I don't chafe.'

We'll see what 500k and a rubbish merida bicycle have to say about that...

And so it begins...

2009-10-23T09:59:00.005+02:00

What a day! Perfect weather. Let's hope it holds out. Just popped in to the office to fire off a few emails before heading off to get the van, shove our kit in the back and leave at midday. We have a video camera with us so we'll hopefully get some pretty awesome footage. I can feel the weight egging to fall off me over the next six days.

The team is as follows: Selwyn 'Fideo' Figueras, Kieron 'Grinder' Becerra, Christian 'Swerver' Rocca, Andrew Chipolina, Joey Garcia & Evgeny Cherepakov.

First thing to get out of the way is to thank our good friend Shaun Zammitt who has been kind enough to agree to drive the van as a recovery car (I hope no one needs it) all the way back.

I'll be blogging, as I hope my co-riders will, throughout the ride from my mobile. Please feel free to leave any comments and, if you're feeling generous, please donate some of your hard-earned cash to the cause. Three local organisations will benefit from your contributions, Breast Cancer Support, Happy Faces and St Martin's School. If you'd like to donate, please make cheque payable to The PJ Isola Foundation and drop it off at ISOLAS reception.

Now, about this monster ride...

Selwyn

2009-10-20T11:22:00.000+02:00

ere we go, ere we go, ere we gooo....