Blazing Saddles Ultimate Challenge 2000

03/04/2025

It is with great sadness that we learned of the sudden death of our team mate Philly Lavery. Ar dheis Dé raibh a anam;

The death has occurred of Philip (Philly) LAVERY of Kilbarry, Waterford Ireland, on 01/04/2025. You can view the full death notice and add your condolences here.

05/10/2023

23 years ago today we rolled out of Dan Diego

07/10/2020

It's a short day, they said, it'll be easy, they said! Then mother nature intervened. It was savage, but great crack really. Listen to the meloodious tones of John Mannion updating Galway Bay FM

04/10/2020

THE ULTIMATE CYCLING CHALLENGE USA COAST TO COAST 2000
SAN DIEGO CALLIFORNIA TO CHARLESTON SOUTH CAROLINA

THE TANDEM STORY
By Denis Toomey

My first experience of tandem cycling came about as a result of an appeal by Eamon Duffy for tandem pilots for the 1999 Blazing Saddles Tour of Thailand. I put my name down and was asked to act as pilot for veteran blind tandem stoker Joe Bollard. With just one training camp to get used to the tandem and learn all the instructions from Joe we set off and had a very successful trip and were presented with the Tandem of the Tour Award for our ability to stay with the single bikes each day which was unique on Blazing Saddles Challenges. When the Ultimate Cycling Challenge USA Coast to Coast 2000 was announced, I met with Eamon Duffy to put my name down to do the challenge on a single bike. He casually asked was there anyway the challenge could be done on a tandem and of course he sowed the seed for an additional challenge in my mind. Following the Thailand experience I felt that with the right commitment and training that yes it was possible but that it would be a major undertaking. I spoke with Joe before Christmas and we agreed to stew it over and make a decision in the New Year. In January I called out to Joe in Bray for lunch and after a long chat we decided to give it a go, and so started on our 10-month preparation programme.

Our big disadvantage was the fact that Joe lived in Bray Co. Wicklow and I lived in Cork. At our first official training camp in Carrig On Suir, Sean Kelly outlined a strict training programme and we were given advice on diet and stretching. Joe and myself got together about every three weeks and tried to get in long spins on those occasions. In between Joe got out on the weekends with Jeff Rowe and went to the gym about three days a week. I trained away on my single bike. We had our regular training camps with Sean Kelly including a four-day camp in Castlebar. We also completed the two day 200 mile Border Trek and on the August weekend we completed the 128 mile Millennium Challenge in Portlaoise on the Sunday and on the Monday we cycled from Cork to Dublin a distance of 158 miles which was equal to the longest days cycling we would complete in the USA. We also took part in the Sean Kelly Hibernian Tour of Ireland. In May we attended Trinity College for a health and fitness assessment and we were given a revised training programme to build up our endurance capabilities. Between the tandem and single bike I clocked up over 7,000 miles in training and cycled in 27 of the 32 counties of Ireland between February and September. Without giving up the day job there was little else we could do to prepare any better.

On October 2nd we departed Dublin and arrived in San Diego that evening USA time. On Tuesday we put the bikes together and made sure that everything was ready for the off. We had some short spins around San Diego on Wednesday and were given instructions on bike maintenance and daily washing by chief mechanic John Keegan and then our first visit to the masseurs who would provide us with our daily massage at each stage end to help get rid of all the lactic acid from the muscles and repair damaged tissue. This was a major factor in ensuring that we are able to get back on the bikes each morning.

After the ceremonial dipping of the wheels of our bikes in the Pacific Ocean in San Diego a task we hoped to repeat in the Atlantic Ocean in Charleston 25 days later, it was time to start our journey and head East across the USA.

What follows is the daily report I wrote at the end of each stage as we progressed across the 10 States and almost 3,000 miles on our Coast to Coast trip between San Diego and Charleston.

Day 1 San Diego CA to El Centro CA 130 miles

Up at 5am for breakfast at 5.30, to find it raining, typical Blazing Saddles weather. Group one depart at 6.30. Police es**rt for first 10 miles, lovely new cycling gear is black from dirt thrown up from the wheels in front. The rain stops after about 20 miles and everything dries up fast. After 22 miles we leave the outskirts of San Diego and the climbs start in earnest up the Rockies. First climb brings us to 1,500 feet. This is certainly not tandem friendly country. Mile after mile of climbing with the odd decent to give you a chance to stretch the legs. At 43 miles we are up to 4,800 feet at Guatay. Group two catch up with us at about 45 miles and both groups stay together until food stop at 57 miles. After the food stop it is back into the climbing, up the Jacumba mountain range to 6,000 feet. At 83 miles we get onto Interstate 8 and relief for a while with a lovely 10 mile decent and we get up to 45 miles per hour and drop back down to under 1000 feet. We then exit Interstate 8 again and head into the Yuha desert where the temperatures get up to 100 degrees and we begin to fry. Extra sun block is applied to all exposed flesh. Group 1 splits up and the faster cyclists join up with Group 2. The rest of us attack the next climb at our own pace as we make our way back up the mountains to reach 7,300 feet at 95 miles. On the decent the tandem pulls away from the rest and brings us to our second food stop at 101 miles where we regroup. It is flat or downhill from here to the finish. At 110 miles the tandem heads off on its own as the rest of the group stop to wait on a puncture repair. At 115 miles we exit the Yuha desert and head into farming territory with huge irrigation fields and cattle ranches. Joe is suffering badly for last 10 miles but we make it in one piece with the clock showing 126.5 miles at the finish.
Average speed for the trip was 14.8 miles per hour with 8 hours 31 minutes in the saddle.
Following shower and stretching each cyclist heads for a massage and then the bike has to be washed and prepared for the following days cycle before heading for grub and bed. This will be the ritual at the end of each days cycling.
Day one complete only 24 more to go.

Day 2. El Centro CA to Yuma AZ 70 miles

Late start today, Group 1 departs at 09:30. Only 460 feet of climbing today, continue through irrigation fields and farmland, very poor roads in places. Rear end is beginning to suffer already. Get onto Interstate 8 at 35 miles cycling through Algodones Dunes desert area until food stop at 48 miles. Group 2 catch up at food stop. Group 1 head off first. Back off Interstate 8 to very poor roads. At 52 miles pass through town of Felicity official "Centre of the World" marker. Cross All America Canal at 60 miles. Cross Colorado River and enter State of Arizona at 66 miles, outskirts of Yuma. Finish Line at 69.5 miles. Arrived before Group 2 and tandem first across the line.
Average speed 17 miles per hour.
Easiest stage of the tour complete. Back into the Rockies tomorrow.

Day 3 Yuma Az to Gila Bend Az

5 am breakfast for 6.15 start Group 1. Still dark, lights on helmets for everyone. Leave town of Yuma passing airport. Mixed scenery, farmland and rocky hills. Sun comes up and is right in our faces, visors on helmets come in handy. Pass border inspection station at 15 miles and start climbing up to Telegraph Pass at 767 feet. Nice decent into Dome Valley. Pass through the town of Ligurta at 20 miles, Wellington at 29 miles and first food stop in town of Tacna at 41 miles. Temperatures start to increase as we climb up to Mohawk Pass at 1,400 feet. Long straight roads until we climb up to second food stop , 1,700 feet at 85 miles. Group 2 catch us about 5 miles before food stop. Temperatures get up to 90 degrees, we are all starting to burn on our right sides. Climb up Painted Rock Mountain 2,000 feet at 103 miles. Then straight level road to Gila Bend at 118 miles. Soles of feet very sore today, not sure if it's from the heat or just all the pressure on the pedals. Bum still raw. Joe doing well until about last 20 miles, not drinking enough liquids.
Average speed 16.8, Max 38, ride time 6 hours 57 mins.

Tough day ahead tomorrow 150 miles and nearly 5,000 feet of climbing.

Day 4 Gila Bend AZ to Globe AZ 150 miles.

If ever one's love affair with cycling was put to the test it was today's gruelling stage from Gila Bend to Globe. 5am breakfast and on the road at 6 am in the dark. Sean Kelly leads Group 1 today and his experience and strength ensured that most of the cyclists made it to the finish line.

Leaving Gila Bend we start climbing at 3.5 miles we are at 920 feet and 1,100 foot climb at 7.5 miles. Body stars to loosen out from aches and pains after loo stop at 24 miles. Very severe head winds, Kelly keeps the rotation going at the front to try and keep the speed up. Climb up Sand Tank Mountain to 1,900 feet at 26 miles. Giant cactus plants growing on top of mountain just like the cowboy films, keeping a lookout for the Indians. Move into the Maricopa mountains and 2,000 foot climb to Antelope Peak at 36 miles. First food stop at Standfield road at 48 miles. Have to get soles of feet massaged to relieve tightness and burning. Group 2 arrive at food stop before we depart. Head winds increasing as we leave food stop. Pass through Casa Grande at 59 miles. Only about 10 cyclists working at the front including the tandem which we were to pay for later. Following loo stop at 74 miles we turn left and wind is blowing from our right. Heavy thunder storm freezes everyone and we encounter severe sand storms with all exposed flesh getting blasted. At 83 miles we turn back into head winds and as we enter the town of Coolidge we get a puncture in the tandem. Luckily the Blazing Saddles Bike Rental Shop in San Diego had presented us with a spare set of tandem wheels and our mechanic Gerry Beggs had us back on the road in 17 seconds (Joe timed him) so we had no problem getting back onto the group. Group 2 catch up with us as we leave Coolidge and we try and grab some shelter from the support vehicles until the second food stop at 91 miles in the City of Florence. Had to get feet massaged again as the we were burning up. Both teams depart food stop together with the plan to remain as one team until the next major climb at 110 miles. After a few miles we realise that Group One have all dropped back and the tandem and Phil Lavery have been left away with Group Two. By the start of the climb Joe is under severe pressure so we take a short break before climbing up Mine Mountain and reach Gonzales Pass 3,000 feet at 115 miles. Have to peddle down decent due to cold head winds. 2,730 foot climb back up to City of Superior at 122 miles. Group one catches us as we stop to try and get the front chain ring to change down into the granny gear. At 126 miles we climb through 800 foot long tunnel to 3,250 feet. Joe is extremely exhausted and frozen with the cold. He decides to call it a day at 130 miles to ensure he is able to get back on the bike tomorrow. Gerry Beggs our mechanic takes over on the back of the tandem and we continue climbing to the summit at Gila at 134 miles. Thankfully Mick and Margaret Cowell have set up an emergency food stop at the top and we top up with snacks. We borrow extra t shirts and plastic bags for the decent and Margaret provide a special treat with a tot of brandy. By the time we reach the town of Miami after the 7 mile decent to 3,550 feet we are shivering with the cold. We reach the outskirts of Globe at 147 miles and are welcomed by a thunder storm and torrential rain. We climb up to the hotel at 3,350 feet to complete our 150 mile trip wet and freezing and in the dark. Following a hot shower we head for the massage which was almost as painful as the cycle. By far the most difficult cycling I have ever done in my life. Hopefully we don't get a repeat for the rest of the tour.
No average available as we lost our mileage reading after the puncture. We were 13 and a quarter hours on the road including food stops.

To morrows stage Globe to Show Low is 85.5 miles with lots of 8% climbs.

Day 5 Globe to Show Low 85.5 Miles

A late start today. Breakfast at 6.45 and Group One departs at 7.45. Sun is shining but strong winds are still blowing. We pass Arizona State Prison and start climbing Rockinstraw Mountains. At 5.5 miles we enter Tonto National Park 4,000 feet and reach top of climb 4,980 miles at 10 miles. Following decent we start climbing to 4,500 feet and have 4,100 foot climb up Seven Mile Mountain at 16.5 miles. At 20 miles we start long climb up to 6,050 feet at 24.5 miles. We get up to 46 miles per hour on the decent and leave Tonto National Park at 29 miles. We climb up to Seneca at 4,850 feet at 33 miles and start long swish back decent to Salt River Canyon where we reach 51 miles per hour. Food stop at Salt River Bridge at 38 miles. We strip off winter gear as the sun has come out and there are plenty of long climbs ahead. Thankfully the wind has also died down. Rest of the day is a mixture of climbs and descents passing Apache and Navajo Indian Reservations. 4,000 foot climb at 39 miles, 4,630 foot climb at 43 miles, Carrizo Creek Bridge 4,800 feet at 60 miles, Cedar Canyon Bridge 5,600 feet at 68 miles and Show Low City Limits 6,600 feet at 82 miles. Reach Motel at 86.70 miles, Ride time 6 hours 25 minutes, Average 13.4 miles per hour, Max Speed 51 miles per hour. A tough gruelling day in the Rockies, Joe got through it flying and the feet were not too bad. Rear end is still causing problems. It doesn't look like it will get a chance to heal.

Tomorrow's stage is what we consider a "Rest Day" just 58.7 miles from Show Low to Springerville.

Day 6 Show Low AZ to Springerville AZ 58.7 miles.

Rest Day, you must be joking. Group 1 Breakfast at 9 am for 10 am departure. Get up at 8am to do the stretches to find it raining and forecast for snow. All available wet and warm weather gear put on, we had not come prepared for this. 4 ladies from Springerville join us for the cycle. Level enough terrain for first 10 miles to town of Lakelands, then start climbing up to 7,100 feet at 14.5 miles, pass large casino at 17.5 miles tempting to go in for shelter. Climb up to Mc Nary City Park at 7,316 feet. Rain is bucketing down and everyone is sprayed from the wheels in front. Climb up to 7,930 at 29 miles. Food stop is at 30 miles but even though there is hot soup available six of us decide to skip it as we would freeze further standing in the rain drinking it. Joe would have preferred to stop but agreed to go on. Climbing continues up to 8,600 feet at 34.5 miles and on up to Sunrise ski area at 9,100 feet and the summit 9,230 feet at 39 miles. This is the highest point we will climb to in the whole tour. As we start the decent we leave the Apache Reservation and the rain suddenly stops. We can hear the wind whistling through the trees. We decent for the next 18 miles in the bitter cold. Have to use the brakes a lot as the road is still wet and the surface is bad in places. Teeth are chattering with the cold and it is hard to pull on the brakes as all the fingers are frozen. Joe thinks his feet have dropped off he can no longer feel them. The tandem pulls away from everyone on the decent and as we enter the town of Eagar with only two miles to go we realise that we can probable beat everyone in Group 1 and Group 2 to the finish line. We keep the pressure on and arrive at the Rode Inn in Springerville first. Even the support team were not expecting us. Following hot tea and showers we were given a reception by the hotel owners before we headed for the massage rooms and bike wash. It definitely won't go down as a rest day and we can only pray that we don't have similar conditions for our longest stage tomorrow from Springerville to Socorro a distance of 156.5 miles.

Distance 58.7 miles , Ride Time 3 hours 45 minutes, Average 15.5 miles per hour, Maximum speed 42 mph.

Day 7 Springerville Az. to Socorro N.M 157 miles

It certainly rains in Southern California and also in Arizona and also in New Mexico.

After yesterday's stage in the freezing rain we are up at 4.30 for 5 am breakfast and on the road for 6 am. Delighted to see that it is dry but the forecast is for rain and the cold winds are still blowing. We all put on extra layers of clothing and the local store has done a roaring trade in gloves. Both Paul Butler and Sean Kelly leave with Group 1 in the dark on our longest stage of the tour. It is going to be a day of up and down terrain. We climb up to 7,4000 at the border into New Mexico at 14.5 miles. We have to adjust our watches as we loose an hour. We are not sorry to leave Arizona behind and head into a new state. Prairie type country all around and we spot the odd Elk and are screeched at by an eagle from the top of a telephone pole. Drags at 19 miles 7,650 feet, at 25 miles 7,200 feet, at 43 miles 7,700 feet nice descents in between. Kelly and Butler keep the team working and the pace up. First food stop at 48 miles in Quemado. Have to get quads massaged and do some stretches to relieve stiffness. Climb out of Omega to 7,000 feet. At 62 miles the rain starts and remains with us for the rest of the day. Pass through Pie Town at 72 miles and climb up to Continental Divide at 7,800 feet.
Major climbs end at 93 miles where we have our second food stop. Everyone is cold and wet. Put on dry cycling top over wet gear to try and keep warm. Group 2 arrive before we depart. Small problem with tandem brakes, small stone caught in block, by the time we remove it the group has left and we have to chase them for 3 miles before we catch up.
Kelly and Butler keep the pace up and we try as best to keep sheltered in the middle of the pack. Pass large number of satellite dishes at 107 miles, supposed to be for tracking U.F.O.s. Group 2 catch us about the 130 mile mark. 11 mile decent from 146 mile mark to Socorro. Tandem pulls away and is eventually caught by Kelly, Butler, Tracy Piggott, Phil Lavery and Gerard O'Donoghue about 3 miles before Socorro. They stay on the tandem wheel and about 1 mile from finish we encounter very rough railway tracks. The tandem has a wobble but manages to stay upright, unfortunately Phil Lavery comes down and ends up with stitches in his elbow and cuts and bruises elsewhere. Arrive at the finish line at the Econ Lodge Motel. Distance 157 miles, ride time 8 hours 48 minutes, Average 17.8 MPH, Maximum speed 45 mph. Great going for such a long distance.

Tomorrow's stage is 113 miles from Socorro to Ruidoso. The weather forecast is lousy.

Day 8 Socorro N.M. to Ruidoso N.M. 114 miles

6am breakfast Group 1 on the road for 6.45. Police provide es**rt and bring us out wrong road adding 2.5 miles to spin. Both Paul Butler and Sean Kelly come with Group 1 again and numbers crossing from Group 2 to Group 1 increasing. Dry starting off but rain duly arrives after 10 miles with no let up until after 40 miles. Showers on and off after that. Everyone feeling very tired after yesterdays long spin so pace is kept steady. Lots of drags 4,550 feet at 11.5 miles, 5,200 passing White Sands Missile Range at 22.5 miles, 5,500 at 38 miles, 5.600 at 41 miles5,800 at 44 miles, 6,700 at 50 miles where we have our first food stop. Group 2 arrive before we depart. Nice descents after food stop and tandem pulls away on its own, eventually caught by Group 1 & 2 together at Carrizo at 77 miles having dropped down to 3,600 feet. At 85 miles we begin climbing again up to Nogal at 6,300 feet where we have our second food stop. Severe climb out of Nogal for 2 miles to 7,000 feet. Following decent we start another severe 2 mile climb from Rio Bonito to 7,250 feet at 102 miles. Tandem climbing well and Joe is in great form. Both teams regroup at top and decent together to Ruidoso at 114.78 miles. Ride time 7 hours 44 minutes, average 14.8 mph, maximum speed 45 mph.

Tomorrow's stage is supposed to be another rest day with a 70 mile cycle between Ruidoso and Roswell. I'll believe it when I see it.

Day 9 Ruiodoso NM to Roswell NM 70 miles

Late start today 9am breakfast for 10am start. What a relief to see the sun shining. Due to dangerous single lane highway to Roswell teams have to cycle single file inside hard shoulder all the way. Pass casino and race track as we leave Ruidoso. Road is in valley with mountains at both sides. Wind is behind us and speed is up without any real pressure. Lots of debris on hard shoulder causes many punctures. Tandem punctures at about 36 miles and catches up with group at food stop at 38 miles. Group 2 catches up before we leave food stop. 2.5 mile climb after leaving food stop, tandem follows Declan Sugrue up the climb and stays on Declans wheel on decent. Realise that we have pulled away and are on our own so we share the work on the front and keep the speed up. Wind turns into our face but is not too strong. Terrain turns from mountains and hills to flat plains stretching out ahead of us. We get in to finish line in Roswell just before Group 2 arrive. Hopefully we will get many more days like this especially over the next five days as we head across Texas averaging 140 miles each day.

Distance 70.21 miles, Ride Time 3 hours 18 minutes, Average speed 21.2 mph, Maximum Speed 40 mph.

Day 10 Roswell NM to Brownfield TX 140 miles

5.45 breakfast for 6.45 start, sky is cloudy and there is a chill in the air. Police es**rt out of town. Long straight stage today no turns for 139 miles until we reach Brownfield. A few drags as we leave Roswell. we cross over the Pecos River at 10 miles. First of the oil fields at 22 miles hard to know if the smell is coming from the H2S or the cyclists. Both Kelly and Butler are with Group 1 and keep the pace going with everyone rotating at the front. First food stop at 44 miles by which time we have covered the first 1,000 miles of the tour, hopefully the next 2,000 will be easier. Pass through the town of Caprock at 51 miles and Tatum at 74 miles. At 92 miles we reach our second milestone of the day as we cross the border into the Lone Star State of Texas at the town of Bronco. We lose another hour today as we cross the state line. Nothing but cattle fields and oil fields to break up the long straight stretches of road. Thankfully the road surface is good and the pace is comfortable. At 107 miles we have a welcome second food stop in the town of Plains, it is plain to see where it got it's name. With 20 miles to go the sky darkens up and we have a thunder storm with large lightening flashes and loud clashes of thunder. Thankfully the rain does not last and we are dry before we reach the finish line in Brownfield.

Distance 140.35 miles, ride time 7 hours 43 minutes, average speed 18.1 mph, maximum speed 25 mph.

Day 11 Brownfield TX to Aspermont TX

Breakfast at 5.45 depart 6.45. Because the clocks have move forward an hour it is now pitch black. Police es**rt to outskirts of town then cycle by lights from support vehicle and motorbike, because it is Sunday traffic is quite. Another day of long straight roads. Joe is feeling very tired as he did not have a good nights sleep. Dawn breaks after an hour of cycling and at 28 miles we pass through the town of Tahoka. Pass fields and fields of peanuts and a few oil fields. Flocks of geese fly overhead in single and "V" shaped formation just like the peleton on the road. First food stop in City of Post at 54 miles, Joe is feeling a bit better after food stop. Group 2 arrive before we depart. At 61 miles we cross the Brazos river which is practically dry. We enter Kent County at 75 miles. Group 2 catch up and after the t.v. crew film us cycling along, both groups work together until second food stop at 103 miles. Kelly and Butler move up and down the group like cowboys herding cattle and keep everyone in touch. As we should have expected the rain duly arrives as we depart the food stop and stays with us to the finish line in Aspermont, a real one horse town so it is early to bed for everyone, Joe is suffering again for last 10 miles so he needs the rest.

Day 12 Aspermount TX To Jacksboro TX 135.5 miles

Breakfast at 5:45 depart at 06:45, pitch dark, no police es**rt today, cycle by support vehicle and motor cycle lights until dawn breaks. Joe is back to his normal self today having had a good nights sleep. Loo stop at 17 miles allows us to turn off our helmet lights. Day is foggy and overcast and wind picks up as the day progresses. Pass through Haskell at 32 miles and enter Throckmorton County at 49 miles. First food stop at 51 miles. Road surface is very rough which makes cycling harder. Pass through town of Throckmorton at 66 miles. Undulating roads through farmland break up the long straight stretches. Loads of dead animals on the road including deer, skunks and racoons. a turtle crossing the road in front of us has a narrow escape as a jeep passes over it with it's wheels on either side. Cross over the Brazos River at 91 miles. Group two pass us just before Newcastle at 93 miles. Second food stop at 106 miles in city of Graham. Pass through city of Bryson at 119 miles and Sennett at 125 miles. Finish at Jacksboro Inn two miles beyond Jacksboro. A good day on the tandem and almost everyone in the group doing their bit at the front. Second longest stage of the tour tomorrow from Jacksboro to Greenville 152 miles will see us past the half way stage.

Day 13 Jacksboro TX to Greenville TX 152 miles

Breakfast at 05:30 start at 06:45. Police es**rt in the dark, Eamon Duffy nearly gets knocked down as he tries to get us across the highway, thankfully the jeep driver brakes just in time. He ended up getting a ticket from the police. There is frost on the grass and the winds are stronger than the past two mornings. Loo stop by lake in Runaway Bay at 18.5 miles. Sun rises but sky is starting to cloud over. Pass through city of Decatur at 33 miles and Gainsville at 37 miles. First food stop in Slidell at 50 miles. Group 2 arrive before we depart. 1,450 foot climb out of Sidell and hard shoulder is covered with stones from loads of lorries carrying stones from local quarry, many punctures. Pass Bolivar at 61 .5 miles and Sangor at 65.5 miles. AT 70 miles a touch of wheels in the group brings down 3 riders, Tracy Piggott is brought to hospital to have her hand checked out and ends up with a severely sprained thumb, two other cyclists have cuts and grazes but get back on the bikes. Group 2 catches up at accident scene and group moves on to County Part at 74 miles to regroup. We have just reached the halfway stage of the tour at this stage, all downhill to Charleston from here (I wish). 4 bikes from group 1 join group 2 including tandem and pace increases as we pass through Pilot Point at 81 miles and Celina at 94 miles with a 2,000 foot climb and Weston with a 2,700 foot climb at 102 miles. Two miles from the second food stop the tandem punctures and as we were with group 2 we had no spare wheels in the support vehicle so we had to change the tube. We got back on the road at arrived at the food stop before group 1 caught us. We left the food stop with Group 1 and passed through Anna at 110 miles and Westminster at 115 miles. Much better scenery today, and houses seem to be bigger and better built. Lots of horse studs and Southfork type ranches. Pass through Blueridge at 123 miles and Farmersville at 132 miles. Pass through city of Floyd at 142 miles and for last 5 miles to Greenville Kelly makes us all go down to the low gears and spin or way to the finish line to warm down. Another long stage complete and Joe was in good form all day. Last of the long Texas stages tomorrow, 143.5 miles will bring us just across the state line to Texarkana in Arkansas.
Distance 152.48 miles, ride time 8 hours 36 minutes, average 17.7 mph, max speed 36 mph.

Day 14 Greenville TX to Texarcana AR

Breakfast at 6 am, depart at 7 am in the dark. Daylight at about 7:30 sky is cloudy but it is not cold. Nice scenic route today through pasture land with nice houses and lots of small cities. One "city" that we passed through had a population of 127. Pretty flat route with some rolling hills means that everyone except those carrying injuries are working in the pack. Pass through Neylanderville at 8.5 miles, Commerce at 15.5 miles, loo stop at 20 miles. Enter Hopkins County at 25 miles. First food stop at 40 miles in Birthright. Pass through Tira at 45 miles and Sulphur Bluff at 51 miles. Group 2 catches up at 58 miles as we are stopped to remove our outer gear. The sun is shining and it promises to be a good day. Pass through Hagansport at 60 miles, Talco at 69 miles and Sugar Hill at 77 miles. Joe feels under a bit of pressure for last 10 miles to food stop. Second food stop at 100 miles and we are greeted with champagne to celebrate passing the half-way point. We were supposed to do it yesterday at the food stop but it was skipped due to the accident. Group 2 invite riders from group 1 to join them for last 40 miles and a number of cyclists including the tandem join in Joe is feeling better after stop. Tandem going well with group and doing it's bit in the front when we puncture with 20 miles to go. Changed tube and tyre blew out as we set off again. John Keegan had to go back to the group 1 support van to pick up our spare wheel. We set off again on our own and got to the finish line without group 1 catching up with us. Texarkana is just across the state line in Arkansas so we have completed the stages in Texas and start in a new state tomorrow. Suffering a bit with my right knee so getting plenty of physio and ice treatment hopefully it will hold out.
142.08 miles average 18.5 mph Maximum speed 33 mph

Day 15 Texarkana AR to Camden AR 88.18 miles

Late start today, 9 am breakfast for 10 am start. First problem with slow service for breakfast. Lucky to make it to start line in time. First 12 miles were over concrete roads with loads of cracks and hard shoulder was very poor. Rode in single file for most of the time. At 18 miles crossed Red River. At 31 miles arrived in the town of Hope, birthplace of President Clinton. Paid a visit to the house where he was born, not too much to see. When we got back on the road again, group 2 had already passed through Hope and their sweeper vehicle removed all the direction arrows. We ended up taking the wrong road and added an extra 5 miles to our journey by the time we got back onto the right road again. First food stop at 53 miles in the town of Rosston. Group 2 had already departed. Kelly and Butler stayed at the front for most of the journey after the food stop to Camden. Good pace until the last 5 miles when everyone was slowed down for safety reasons. Much better variety of scenery en route with mainly farmland and some forests. Arrived in Camden at 88 miles, with 6 miles the distance added on due to our going astray earlier in the cycle. An easy enough day with fine weather. Total distance 88.18 miles, Ride time 4 hours and 56 minutes, average speed 17.8 mph, Max speed 32 mph. Another fairly short stage tomorrow to Pine Bluff 78.5 miles.

Day 16 Camden AR to Pine Bluff AR 78.18 miles

Another late start today 9 am breakfast and on the road for 10 am. Police es**rt out of town. Because of complaints about the fast pace the peleton is controlled more than usual and speeds are kept down. Nice level route through lovely country side with lots of pine forests. Pass Eagle Mills at 12 miles, loo stop at 21 miles, pass Thornton at 26 miles and Fordyce at 31 miles. Pass through Kingsland at 40.5 miles and cross over the river Saline at 46 miles. Food stop at 50 miles in town of Rison. Those unhappy with the slow pace of Group 1 are invited to join Group 2 for last 28 miles to Pine Bluff. A good number including the tandem join in. Nice spin on good roads all the way, pace is not too fast around 21 mph. About 3 miles from finish we are met by 8 members of Pine Bluff Police Force on their mountain bikes. They es**rt us the rest of the way to the hotel. Tomorrow it is back to the long days in the saddle with a 133 mile spin from Pine Bluff to Lula West Helena.
Distance 78.17 miles, Ride Time 4 hours 15 minutes, average speed 18.3 mph, Maximum speed 27 mph.

Day 17 Pine Bluff AR to Lula West Helena MS 133 miles

Breakfast at 6 am on the road at 7 am. Police es**rt out of town. Crossed the Arkansas River at 9.5 miles. Very flat stage so the whole group were rotating at the front and really working as a team. Because everyone was working the time spent at the front was short and the pace was kept high without burning people off. Passed Lake Dick at 20 miles, Cornerstone at 27 miles, Swan Lake at 31.5 miles, Reydell at 39 miles and Bayou at 44 miles. First food stop was beside a rice mill at 56 miles. Joe is suffering with his rear end, he says that he has a Braille Bum with all the lumps and bumps in it. He asked Tracy if she would read it for him but she declined. Passed Dewitt at 58.5 miles. We got a puncture on the tandem at 92 miles and thanks to the spare wheel we had no problem getting back onto the group. We had the second food stop in Elaine at 109 miles. Because the pace was so fast the support team had only just got the food stop set up when we arrived. The local mayor came over to welcome us to his town. Group two caught up with us at the second stop and they stayed with us to the finish. We crossed the big Mississippi River at 129 miles which brought us over the border from Arkansas into Mississippi so we have left another state behind us.
Distance 132.09 miles, Ride Time 7 hours 4 minutes, Average 18.6 mph, Max Speed 31 mph.

Day 18 Lula West Helena MS to Tupelo MS 138.5 miles

Breakfast at 6 am on the road at 7 am in the dark. Dawn breaks about 7.30. Due to narrow roads peleton moves into single file for first 18 miles, the tandem happened to be in the front when the call came so we were glad when a loo stop was called at 18 miles. Group moved into twos again and pace was controlled as there were some complaints about the increased speed yesterday. Not so flat a stage today, over 3,200 feet of climbing. The variety was welcomed after yesterday's stage when we hardly changed gears once. Passed through Sledge at 27.5 miles, climb up to Pleasant Grove at 35 miles. Passed through Sardis at 45 miles. Crossed over dam on Sardis Lake to first food stop at 55 miles. Park Rangers gave us a call and explained the history of the dam. Passed through Oxford and Mississippi University at 74.5 miles and town of Yocano at 84 miles. Passed Toccopola at 96 miles and had second food stop in town of Salmon at 106 miles. Group 1 and 2 come together for last 20 miles. Enter Natchez Trace Parkway at 129 miles and police es**rt us to Tupelo the birthplace of the king himself Elvis.
Distance 136.15 miles, Ride Time 7 hours 46 minutes, Average Speed 17.4 mph, Max. Speed 37 mph.

Day 19 Tupelo MS Lawerenceburg TN 129 miles

Breakfast at 6 am, depart in the dark at 7 am. Police es**rt to Natchez Parkway at 2 miles. Next 110 miles will be through the Parkway. On the direction of the Park wardens, groups are divided into 5 to 6 riders with gaps between each group, tandem is with first group of 5 including, Tracy Piggott, Niamh Bonar, Pete Kelly and Declan O'Doherty. Single file riding only so we each do one mile at the front and get a nice steady pace going. Loo stop at 26 miles and we cross the State Line into Alabama at 49 miles. First food stop at 55 miles at Bear Creek and Niamh skids on gravel entrance, ending up with cuts and grazes to hands, arms and legs. After medical treatment she is ready to set off again with group. Tandem is now in group of 4 with Tracy, Niamh and Liam Mc Convey (Teak). We change from single file to two and two and Teak and the Tandem spend most of the time at front until the second food stop at 107 miles. At 69 miles we have a 2,000 foot climb to Colbert Ferry and crossing over the Tennessee River. At 84 miles we cross over the State Line from Alabama into Tennessee. After the second food stop a group of about 10 riders leave together and we are met by a police es**rt about two miles from the finish. A tough day with 4,500 feet of climbing and we were glad to see the end of the Parkway.
Distance 130.4, Ride Time 7 hours 31 minutes, Average 17.3 mph, Maximum Speed 34 mph.

We have just completed day 20 which means that we have only 5 days cycling still to go. We head into the Smokey Mountains tomorrow which are supposed to be very tough and we will be in the mountains for the next four days. Then it is supposed to be all down hill to Charleston.

Day 20 Lawrenceburg TN to Wi******er TN 93.5 miles

An 8 am start today, so we are leaving in daylight. Group 2 pull away at 3 minutes to eight with the tandem and a few others not quite ready so we have to chase them down for about four miles. This is Amish country and we pass their homesteads with no mod cons and the transport is all horse drawn. This means that we have to avoid horse droppings on the road. A dead wild turkey on the road was not called in time and Teak clipped Niamh's wheel and came down but was not hurt, after wheel changes both were back on the road. Terrain very up and down today with some severe little climbs followed by good descents. Nice scenery today you could be on any country road in Ireland only difference is the sun is shining. Road surface is good up to 35 miles when we turn on to smaller road with lots of loose chippings. At 42 miles we get back onto better road. Pass through Five Point at 40 miles and Archer at 47 miles. Food stop at 50 miles in Petersburg. Group two catch up before we depart food stop. Tough climb at 58 miles followed by good decent. Further steep climb at 66 miles, tandem pulls away on decent. Pass through Lynchburg at 71.5 miles. At 72 miles Duffy tells us that the tandem is four minutes clear of the field and that group 2 are chasing us down. We keep the pressure on but are reeled in with just over a mile to go. They said that they really had to work hard doing a minute each at the front to catch us. We finish with group 2 in Wi******er.
Distance 93.57 miles, Ride Time 5 hours 9 minutes, Average Speed 18.1 mph, Maximum speed 39 mph.

Day 21 Wi******er TN to Calhoun GA 117.5 miles

5.45 am Breakfast and on the road in the dark again for 6.45 am, police es**rt out of town. Beautiful sun rise as we head for the Smokey Mountains. First big climb at 10 miles, for 4 miles winds its way up the mountain. Tandem stops for a loo stop just before start of climb so is on its own heading into the climb and catches 6 of the single bikes before the top. Pass town of Swannee at 14.5 miles. Tandem is allowed break away from group on descents and at start of next two big climb at 35 miles and 46 miles Tandem is allowed set the pace at the front so the group stays together on the climb. Good descents after climbs with plenty of hair pin bends, Joe is roaring with delight as we bank the tandem around the sharp bends. Scenery is beautiful with Autumn colours on the trees and a mist hanging over the mountain. We cross the Tennessee River for the second time on the tour at 40.5 miles and pass through the town of New Hope at 43 miles. At 47 miles we pay our second visit to the State of Alabama and at 53.5 miles we leave Alabama again and enter the State of Georgia our second last State of the tour. We stop for our food stop just over the border. Group 2 catch up before we leave the food stop. Steep decent after food stop to town of Trenton at 62 miles and tough 5 mile climb starts again at 64 miles to town of Salem at 69 miles. Short stop at 80 mile to refill bottles. Rolling hills with two good climbs at 94 and 104 miles and then nice spin to finish line in Calhoun.
Distance 118.43 miles, Ride Time 7 hours 16 minutes, Average speed 16.2 mph, Max speed 52 mph.

Day 22 Calhoun GA to Gainesville GA 92 miles

Because we lost an hour yesterday when we crossed the Georgia border, it was pitch dark as we set out at 7 am this morning. We had a police es**rt out of the town. We had to cycle by the lights of the support vehicles for about the first hour until the dawn broke. A cold mist hangs around the mountains as we head for our second of four days in the Appellations. Pass through Nickelsville at 8 miles and first major climb of the day starts at 20 miles and is 4 miles long. At 34 miles we climb 1,000 feet up to Talking Rock and a stiff climb to 1,500 feet at 34.5 miles. Following some good descends we are back climbing up Burnt Mountain and are at 3,300 feet at 43.5 miles and the summit at 45.5 miles. This was the toughest climb for the tandem of the whole tour but the descent made up for it and we caught all but four before the food stop at Bethal at 55 miles and hit a new tandem speed record of 56 mph. Group 2 caught up before we left the food stop. After the food stop the tandem is at the front as the group cycles in single file and remains there until we get to the outskirts of Gainesville. Nice rolling hills in the second half allows us to recover from the climbs in the first half. Group 1 & 2 join up a few miles outside Gainesville for a police es**rt to the finish line.
Distance 87.23 miles, Ride Time 5 hours 37 minutes, Average 15.5 mph,
Max speed 56 mph.

Day 23 Gainesville GA to Greenwood SC 123.7 miles

Breakfast at 6 am on the road in the dark again at 7 am. Police es**rt out of town. Dawn breaks about 7.30. Riding single file for most of the morning due to narrow roads. Tandem spends a lot of time in the front until we get a yellow card for upping the pace. Paul Butler says that he is introducing cash fines for future episodes and Joe says he will only pay in Irish Punts. Pass through Gillsville at 3 miles and Homer at 22 miles. Rolling hills for most of the day with some stiff drags followed by good descents. A driver of a 4 wheel drive jeep narrowly misses a number of cyclists and is chased down by the support vehicles. He gets a good Irish tongue lashing. First food stop at 40 miles, team 2 catch up before we depart. Pass through Canon at 54 miles, Bowersville at 56 miles and Hartwell at 62.5 miles. At 75.5 miles we cross the Savannah River and enter the State of South Carolina our last State of the 10 States we have to cross. We stop for a photograph and team two come along and join us. They stay with us until the second food stop at 96 miles. Joe's knee is sore so we decide not to accept an invitation to join team 2 to the finish and stay at the front of team 1. Pass through Due West at 105 miles and Hodges at 117 miles and arrive at finish line in Greenwood.
Distance 125.42 miles, ride time 6 hours 50 minutes, average speed 18.3 mph, Max Speed 37 mph.

Day 24 Greenwood SC to Orangeburg SC 120.5 miles.

Breakfast at 7am means that we are starting in daylight for a change. another day of rolling hills but no major climbs. The tandem is at the front for a good period and the pace is relatively fast. Pass through forest at 20 miles but road surface is bad. Back on to better roads at 30 miles. Pass through Saluda at 33 miles and Ridge Spring at 46 miles where the whole town is out on the streets for the Harvest Festival Parade so we get a big welcome. First food stop at 50 miles in Monetta. Group 2 catch up before we depart. Pace slows down a bit after the food stop and Joe is complaining that we are not going fast enough. Group 2 catch up at about 80 miles and I ask Joe does he want to jump on, he thinks they might be too strong for us and says to let them go. after a couple of miles we can still see Group 2 ahead about half a mile and as there is a descent coming up I ask Joe if he feels like a burn and we will see if we can close the gap. We leave group 1 and after about 10 minutes hard peddling we reel them in and have no problem staying with them once we are on board. We pass through Springfield at 93 miles and the second food stop is just outside the town of Norway at 103 miles. We depart the second food stop with group 2 and have a nice run in to the finish line in Orangeburg. Joe is delighted that we had a go at catching group 2 and there is a big sense of relief that we are this far and only one day to go.

Distance 118.96 miles, Ride Time 6 hours and 22 minutes, Average speed 18.6 mph, maximum speed 34 mph.

Day 25 Orangeburg SC to Charleston SC 106 miles

Well we have made it, we finally reached Charleston and the Atlantic Ocean, when you look at the map of America and see the distance that we have cycled it really brings home the enormity of the challenge we have just completed.

8am start on this our final stage, both team 1 and team 2 set off together, Joe and myself arrive at the start line wearing Halloween masks. We get a police es**rt for the first 10 miles. The tandem developed a grinding noise which we traced to Joe's right pedal and a quick replacement solved the problem. Nice flat stage brought us through Rowesville at 9 miles, Branchville at 17.5 miles, Springtown at 32 miles and our food stop in Round O at 48 miles. To add a bit of excitement to the last stage it was agreed that team 2 plus a few invited riders from team 1 including the tandem would have a race from the 62 mile point to the 75 mile point, a $100 first prize was put up by Eamon Duffy. Team 1 departed the food stop 30 minutes before the racers so that they would be waiting at the 75 mile mark to see who crossed the line first. We set off from the food stop at a fairly fast pace and as soon as we reached the official race start point at 62 miles Sean Kelly launched an attack off the front, he was chased down by Martin Kearney who in turn was chased dawn by Paul Butler. The rest of the peleton wound up the speed and reeled the three back in. A number of attacks by Butler were all reeled in and then Vincent Crowley attacked and got away up the road. A few attempts to jump off and cross over to him were countered by Kelly and Butler including one by the tandem. As the four mile to go mark was reached Ger O'Donoghue launched an attack and succeeded in getting across the rest of the peleton then made their way across as the speed just went up and up. We had to dig very deep on the tandem to keep in contact a few times. Suddenly we could see the yellow jerseys of Team 1 at the finish line and the sprint for home started. Kelly was first across the line followed by Butler, both were disqualified by the race directors and the title was given to Michael Gallen who was third across the line. We were delighted on the tandem to have been able to stick with the group it was a fantastic experience. The two teams continued on together and we were met by a police es**rt about three miles from the finish where the 8 members of Team 2 were given the honour of leading in the peleton and the tandem flanked by Sean Kelly and Paul Butler brought up the rear. A big champagne welcome awaited us at the finish line and the tears flowed as freely as the champagne as we realised that we had completed the Ultimate Cycling Challenge and had crossed the USA. We headed for the beach and Joe and myself cycled the tandem into the Atlantic we could go no further. A truly amazing experience but much tougher than any of us had expected. It was made possible by an excellent support team of mechanics, masseurs, nurse, motorcycle es**rt, food-stop staff, Sean Kelly and Paul Butler our Team Leaders on the road and all co-ordinated by the amazing tour director Eamon Duffy. A special thanks to family and friends at home and in the USA for their support and to the many sponsors who supported the event and contributed to our fundraising efforts on behalf of the National Council for the Blind of Ireland. We know that the money will be put to good use in support of people like Joe Bollard who are blind and visually impaired. It gave me tremendous satisfaction to have played a part in helping Joe complete this magnificent fete. His age (65) and his blindness were no obstacle and his courage and determination were an inspiration to us all. He is one truly outstanding person.