It’s not just physical pressure that the riders are under during the Pedal Power end to end – the psychological pressure of staying focused, combined with long hours on the bike with nothing but your own thoughts can be pretty tough.

Today might be an emotionally challenging day for some of the riders – as they approach the half way point of the trip there’s a bit of a sense of being in no man’s land, a long way from the start, but still with so many miles to go.

This section was a tough couple of days for the riders last year and this year looks like being the same. What makes it worse is that this year’s route takes the riders really close to their homes and families as they head up through Yorkshire. At least tonight some of them will be catching up with their families.

Matt is also thinking about the danger of riding so many miles on busy roads. Cars and lorries are always a danger. Last year Matt’s friend Andrew joined Pedal Power for a day. This year he isn’t able to make it after he was badly injured in a hit and run accident while he was on his bike in the Lake District. Andrew has a badly fractured leg as a result and has been in hospital for several weeks recovering. Best wishes from all the Pedal Power team, Andrew.

Here’s Matt’s message:

Posted by TC on 31 July 2010, 08:24

Chet and Ellie set out to ride the 116 miles of Day 5 at 8am this morning and at 7:32pm this evening they arrived at the end of the stage. The last three hours have been bucketing with rain, but they’ve worked really hard and pushed through to the end fighting the cold, wind and rain. Chet said that the last 10 miles were the toughest and that he could hardly see or feel his limbs as he approached Chesterfield, but was elated to finish.

Throughout the day they’ve been supported by Pete, Ellie’s partner, and Simon Ward – personal trainer and Asda Health guru. Andy was out to cheer them on through the last few hundred metres and the final climb before reaching the welcome sight of the hotel and the rest of the Pedal Power team.

On the way Chet and Ellie called in at Long Eaton store and Chet was so inspired by the £10,000 they’ve raised for Tickled Pink that he’s thrown down the gauntlet to all colleagues in Asda House. By 5pm on Tuesday if the colleagues of Asda House can raise £5,000 between them Chet will match it with £5,000 of his own money. So over to you Asda House!

Posted by TC on 30 July 2010, 20:10

Another amazing day on the Pedal Power journey, taking in a charity bike ride, colleagues from George House, a distribution centre and a store. Its been another long day for the riders, punctuated with some great stops.

Ryton Pools got the riders off their road bikes and onto mountain bikes for an additional mile around a purpose-built bike track. Warm welcomes in Lutterworth from the George colleagues and then popping over the road to the Lutterworth ADC.

Matt started the day in pink, but ended in his normal Asda kit, after a quick change at Long Eaton store (his pink shorts were chaffing a bit – ouch). And another highlight of the day was catching up with Chet and Ellie part way through the day. At about the half way point for the day the main riders were bearing down on Chet and Ellie. Chet and Ellie gave them a run for their money for a few hundred yards before the main pack disappeared over the horizon and on to Long Eaton store.

Meeting so many fund-raisers today has reinforced the real reason the guys are putting themselves through the strain of the ride. That’s been the real highlight of the day and has helped the team focus on grinding out the miles. Andy reckons that based on last year’s experience it’s about this stage in the ride that the lows creep in. There’s still so far to go, but the toll of cycling every day is starting to show. Friendly fund-raisers along the route are a great motivation!

Final destination reached at 5pm, but Chet and Ellie are still out there with 25 miles to complete. Hopefully they’ll be back soon.

Posted by TC on 30 July 2010, 17:06

We’ve got some new faces in the team this morning – people director Chet Kuchinad and legal director Ellie Doohan were up early and first on the road to make a bit of headway on the long 112-mile leg from Leamington to Chesterfield.

Also riding today are Dave Potter from the Asda ISD team and Richard Anderson Fenmarc. The new riders are looking a little anxious this morning, but keen to get under way.

First stop this morning is Ryton Pools where the team will be joining a fund-raising family ride before continuing north.

You can follow the day’s events on our interactive Google Map and cheer the riders on by leaving a message of support, which we’ll also pin on the map.

Posted by Heather on 30 July 2010, 08:20

Here’s something you don’t get to see every day: the chairman of Asda getting a real pummelling from a couple of blokes from Leeds.

Watch the video to see how Jim and Luke from Freedom Back Clinics help Andy and Matt recover from the rigours of a long day on the bike.

Posted by TC on 29 July 2010, 19:29

Andy and the guys are exhausted but looking happier tonight after an epic 116-mile ride on Day 4.

This year’s Pedal Power is taking a longer route – and that means several days involve rides of more than 100 miles.

Any ride over 100 miles in a day is in the same region as running a marathon, and the strain put upon the body is intense.

If you’ve been wondering how the cyclists manage to recover overnight we’ve got some exclusive footage of what happens to Andy and Matt when sports masseurs Jim and Luke get their hands on them in Room 408.

The recovery time between days is short and there’s no let-up tomorrow – the journey between Leamington Spa and Chesterfield is another high mileage day.

You can see more pics and videos from today’s ride – including Lara – on our interactive map. Use the controls to zoom in on an area, and click on a cyclist icon to view pics or video:

more Posted by Rob on 29 July 2010, 18:06

It’s been a particularly tough day of riding today, with the Pedal Power team climbing upwards of 5,000 feet over 116 undulating miles.

Although it’s been a challenge, the fantastic views across some beautiful countryside coupled with the enthusiasm and compassion we have seen at the store visits is making it all worthwhile.

Catch up with Lara as she tackles the last few climbs of the longest and most testing day of the tour. Phew!

Posted by Rob on 29 July 2010, 13:30