Tony Ren up for the challenge

Dear All We (Tony & Renata) met Nigel and Matt in London today to discuss the ride and ongoing training. Ten and I wish we hadn't as the meeting left us feeling woefully underprepared to date and in serious need of a training uplift. What will it take for us to get our butts off the coach and into the gym more?? Having been in hospital and in recovery for the past 3 weeks I have done nothing therefore have much catching up to you. My gorgeous girlfriend Ren who is thankfully joining us on our French adventure is going to accompany me on many much needed training sessions over the coming weeks to ensure our readiness, we hope!! We hope you all are training hard and well, and are nervous yet excited about our bloody long ride, and party in Monaco at the end of our journey ( hint hint Matt, our Monaco party host!! Speak to you all soon, happy cycling Tony and Ren xx

I DID IT !!!!

After without doubt the hardest hours of my life, I, along with 16 of my climbing colleagues, climbed walked and crawled to the summit of this torturous mountain.

Several of us, me amongst them, had problems on the summit climb. At times losing balance, feeling sick and dizzy, this was an incredibly hard experience. But I did it and I am so proud of myself. I don't think I've ever been "to the limit" before - but this was it. My hands and face are a little swollen and I am completely shattered.

But I got there. I bloody well did it and I am so flipping proud of myself I cannot tell you. Well done me and well done to everyone else in the group. Lord knows how, but we did it.

Now I am on the way back down just about putting one foot in front of the other.

TTFN.

Getting ready for Summit

Today has been another very tough day and I am quite exaughsted! We are at base camp which is at 4.600m and it is freezing cold. We are all very tired.

Sadly we have lost the first member of our group as Steve (he is an accomplished Iron Man...) has had to descend feeling unwell with altitude sickness. It just gooes to show....the mountain takes no prisoners and being fit is only part of the story.

As for me I just want this over with now. I remain focused but I am tired and cold and I need tonight to come and go quickly.

The group are likely to split into three on the summit climb. Even though I was extremely fit when I left the UK, the effort expended to get this far means I will deliberately go in the slowest group.

I am so very proud of myself for even getting this far - this is one tough challenge and anyone that doesn't think so is welcome to come and try.

Must sleep now as we kick off the big event at 9pm UK time tonight.

Tough tough tough

The past couple of days have been really tough.

Until today I have felt really awful and have had to focus really hard in order to concentrate on this considerable task. Many of the group are feeling the same. Sickness has abounded in camp and we are all quite shattered.

Today however has been a much better day for me anyway and my sickness has been nowhere near as bad. We have climbed the imperious Barranco Wall today which was a real sight I can tell you. Whilst i definitely feel much better and am getting into my stride now, we still have some altitude sickness in the camp and we are all really tired. This is some bloody challenge!! Also, poor Jules slipped on the Barranco wall and she's sprained her ankle. As I write I don't know what her progrosis is as of yet. The sheer determination and mental toughness of this group is really something amazing.

Well tomorrow morning it is another tough walk to base camp and then rest up until midnight thursday night for the big one: the summit!!!

This challenge has been really tough: much tougher than I expected. And whilst I am excited still at the prospect of reaching the top - and am totally determined to do so - I must confess to feeling a litle apprehensive. I remember the 4 climbers who reached the top last time in the CYM party saying just how much harder the summit climb was than the rest, and I cannot lie to you that that creates an element of nervousness!! Having said that, I know too that the first few days this year were harder than last year and that summit night is supposed to be easier.

So boys and girls and mums and dads.....wish me luck, and all being well the next time you hear from me will be with a big 'I DID IT' at the top of the posting.

Day 1 - Harder than expected

Well today was a lot harder than I expected.

We left the Machame Gate at 12.30 lunchtime and it was raining hard. In fact it rained pretty much throughout the walk today. Whilst that is to be expected, often until Day 3 when we get above the clouds, nevertheless walking in the rain is never much fun at the best of times but walking in the rain at altitude is something else !!! Especially as my waterproof bag is not very waterproof. Lesson for anyone reading this blog for future climbs: makes sure your waterproof gear is fully waterproof and don't just trust the labels!!

The contrast from the dry of yesterday is marked - but the scenery more than made up for that. We walked constantly upward today for 6 hours and climbed just under 4,000 feet. Effectively today we have climbed Ben Nevis but of course we started at over 6,000 feet so we are walking nearly three times the height of Ben Nevis already.

Whilst I remain in very good spirits, I would be lying if I said I couldn't feel the altitude. I was fine throughout the walk today but when I got to camp I got a mild headache and I feel a little bit sick now so I'm off to bed. Nothing too bad but it reminds you all the time that the Mountain is in control and not the other way around!

My mobile signal comes and goes so if I don't get through to everyone I'm sorry.

Hopefully tomorrow will be dry !!

xxx

After a relaxed and lazy morning by the pool, we set off for a bus ride into Moshi town early this afternoon. What a nightmare!! We were pounced on from every direction by men and younger people trying to sell us gifts and trinkets: necklaces, wooden crafts, paintings....you name it they had it and they were all quite sure we needed it too!! You can't blame them of course but it was nevertheless a little strange. We tried politely to say no thank you but that didn't really work and their persistence was a little overwhelming to be honest.

Anyway, we had a nice pleasant meal and then we were taken to a more civilized gift shop. Whilst we were there, half the group went off to see the local food market but alas I ended up fighting off yet more people who seemed to see "mug" written on my face I think !!!

The bus came and picked us up at 4pm local time and, what with the heat and humidity, we were all looking forward to chilling out again by the pool.

Well this is our last day before we set off tomorrow. Whilst the group is in good spirits, I must confess to feeling light headed and a bit "funny". I'm remember Peter and Nigel's words here that the earlier adjustment takes place the better !! So I hope that's true as I am doing this trip "chemical free" and I intend to stick to that.

Anyway, love to all in England. I'm ready and I am raring to go.

xx

Arrived safely

After a pretty reasonable flight considering the distance, and a short 30 minute bus drive, we have finally arrived at the Impala Hotel, Moshi, Tanzania !! It is 11.30pm at night here, three hours ahead of home. The weather is very hot and humid - it is certainly over 30degrees, even at this late hour. The hotel is clean and comfortable and has an inviting looking swimming pool which I have no doubt will be used tomorrow!

Everything so far has gone very well. We went through customs very quickly and all our bags have arrived. Even though we are all tired, as tomorrow is a rest day we are now heading for a drink before retiring to bed. At the moment I am watching two lizards walk up the hotel wall and listening to the sound of hundreds of cicadas.

I will try and send an update tomorrow though as it is a rest day nothing much to report i guess. We shall see !!