The Start

AUDIO BLOG

What a fantastic day….the start of the Sea2Sea Challenge and it has gone well, 

very well. 

The media has given us great support, the team has done everything needed to allow the day to work well, even the weather was just great, sunshine and no wind, just what you want on a bike.

The day began with neighbours cheering us off from Freeland, and then on to Brittannia Gate, RAF Brize Norton - the route today follows the route that those killed in the fighting take when being repatriated to the UK

At Britannia Gate were met by representatives of the UK Army, The US Army Veterans and also the CEO of The Veteran's Charity, Danny Greeno, this is the charity we are supporting today.  We are also met by the Station Commander, Grp Capt Dom Stamp and members of the press.  

We then went on to the Memorial Gardens, here more photographers and TV.  Tom gave a short speech explaining the purpose of the trip, he also told of the 7,000 UK and US personal that have lost their lives during the conflicts since 9/11.  With this in mind he handed 100 cards around. Each card, with the name of the person killed and where the person came from, was read out.

Every day before the riders commence the days ride we are to read out such a list and in this way the names of all the men and women killed so far in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts will be with us on the journey.

The cycling then started on the journey that will be over 4,200 miles. Tom is joined on this leg by US Tec Sgt  (TTSGT), Trandin Watkins.

Along the A40 more supporters as well as in Henley (see video) more TV interviews are conducted as well Radio Oxford taking time out to interview Tom en route.

The day has finished in an hotel ‘down the road’ from LHR; we catch our flight to Washington Tomorrow where more media coverage awaits.

A massive thanks to everyone that has made this day possible and in so doing will make the future days possible as well.

Enjoy The You Tube links.