When Crow met Cav

There is a page on Facebook called Holiday Inn Stay You. An odd name BUT an advert/link was spotted by my wife within minutes of it going live-


Calling all cycling fans. We're giving you the chance to ride with World Champion and cycling legend Mark Cavendish. Click to register. Places are limited. The first 150 to register will be e-mailed full details.

So, she entered me and I got a place! I actually got a place! The date for the ride was today, 31 October, which is also the date GoWithCrow stops collecting money. It's been a loooong old slog, but finally got there. As I type, the running total, including Gift Aid is £1442.50... so close to the £1500 but never mind! Anyway, it just seemed right that this should happen today if you know what I mean.

So armed with my Willy Wonka Golden ticket, off I set at 0430 for an 0800 registration and 0830 start. Got there in plenty of time despite the rubbish traffic as I approached London (how people commute every day I have no idea!!)

And as surreal as the morning was, it was well organised... just the right amount of people without it being crowded. The venue was Redbridge Cycling Centre near Ilford and Chigwell- great little set up with a 2km circuit- we were to do 20k with Mr Cavendish. So after a few autographs and pictures we were all lined up at the start for a photocall. For some reason, I ended up on the front row (must be my boyish good looks!)- pics done and off we went. 

The first couple of laps were a bit hairy as alot of people weren't used to riding in a group but eventually, we all spread out and the downhills were great for a bit o speed. In fact the course was excellent! I even overtook Cav!....well sort of :)

Lucky old Cav being photographed with me!

What happened was I got lapped by Mr Cavendish (it turns out on my 9th lap- his final) half way round the circuit. I then caught him up and rode alongside. First thing that blurted out of my mouth was "any idea how many laps we've done?" (all of a sudden I thought what a stupid thing to ask- is that the best you've got Crow, you nob!) and to my relief he says "no idea pal, I'm just waiting for someone to tell me to stop!" I then decided to cut my losses before making a total d**k of myself, so shot off and crossed the finish before him! We were then all offered breakfast whilst Cav did interviews and more pics. 

"Can you sign this to Phil and Helen please."

"Sure no problem."

"Oh and could you put Go With Crow underneath?"

"yer what?! Go with... wha...crow?  c..r..o..w?"

"erm [grins] yeah, it's this charity thing I've been doing for Intensive Care..."

"There you go pal."

"Thanks Mark- nice to meet you!"

And that, as they say, was it. Like I said, a very surreal way to finish 6 months of fundraising.

I'll be posting more as things are still going on and as long as someone is reading this drivel, I'll keep posting it. There's more up and coming events to chat about- decisions to be made about which foreign event to do in 2012, more thoughts on my counselling (3rd session tomorrow!) and the process I'm undertaking PLUS, of course, what ICU decide to do with the money!