As always the last 24 hours before departure was organised chaos.  We only managed 1.5 hours of sleep, not ideal preparation. We left Bedford heading for the launch point at St Katherines Dock’s, adjacent to Tower Bridge.  Set of was great with friends, support team and family members in attendance. The highlight was Megan, my little niece providing a carefully coloured drawing for me.

We negotiated the slippery steps next to HMS president and launched. The motley crew were Dave Gordon and Gary Austin in the double, Owen Gab and myself in single Prijon Marlin Kayaks.  There was still a tide whipping through under the bridge.  We paddled up and dropped down through the bridge, paddles raised. Then we did it again capturing video and pictures.

It is good to have a proper bike shop on board in support of the Big 5 Kayak Challenge.  What makes a good bike shop?  I used to work in the cycling trade working for different Bike Shops and windsurfing shop, Endless Summer.  I remember working in the trade and being totally impressed with roadies and real cyclists. One in particular Simon Lusty (not sure where he is now) had never bothered to learn to drive.

In fact he would move 25 miles from work on a radius so he could do a time trial in the morning. He had been known to go on holiday and cycle to Heathrow!  What that meant for the customer was a love of cycling and bikes and someone who really knew their stuff.  Transition Cycles of Bedford are that sort of Bike Shop. Stephen Hayton the owner gets it, he stocks great brands and kit, kit that he uses himself.  A good test for a Good Bike Shop is whether they can build and true wheels well. Many can’t!! Also do they know their stuff and service your pride and joy with tlc and value for money.
I dropped my old but high end racing bike in to Transition needing some tightening of loose and worn bits and the wheel fixing.  Sure enough 5 days later it was back like a new machine, happy days. We have shared many miles me and my trusty bike so for it to have a new lease of life.  So for me genuinely I am delighted to have found what I term a good bike shop.