Introducing Team Star Inn 2008
Gary Watts | Matt Williams | Karen Williams | John Stockdale | Chris Roper
Simon Gregory | Toby Stevens | Sally Stevens | Phil Blatchford | Diane Blatchford
Keith Cullen | Kathryn Cullen | Jenny French | Steve Gray | Martin Lovell
James Wood | Veronica Parker | Lisa Wooton | Marc Mcintyre | Geoff Collett
Martin Gilchrist | Jon Gregory
Gary Watts, age 34, Bude, Cornwall
Gary bought his first road bike in spring 2007 after playing with mountain bikes for a while.
"The day before London to Paris 2007 was the first time I had riden a road bike with a group of people. We cycled 60 miles from Hampshire to the start line in London and I was hooked"
Gary completed the challenge in 2007 with pain killers, beer and coffee after suffering a knee injury.
"2007 showed me how much more training I need to do so I am going to give it one more go on this ride in 2008. I have already started the 'in the bar' training to hopefully keep up to Team Star Inn standards"
Matt Williams, age 47, Bentworth, Hampshire
After being a publican for 18 years and before that spent most of his time looking at them, the beer took its toll and in November 2006 was told by the doctor that he was too fat and drank too much and really needed to change his life style. While he was looking for a way to help this change a friend suggested a bike ride from London to Paris and that was that. The following week he was in his local bike shop checking his bike was fit for the ride.
“London to Paris was great fun and look forward to next year although I think I may cycle home from Paris as it would be less painful (or should that be less champagnefull!)"
Toby Stevens, age TOP SECRET, Bentworth, Hampshire
Toby was talked into the 2007 London to Paris cycle ride by Phil Blatchford whilst temporarily incapacitated in the Star Inn. It was only half way to Paris that he discovered that Phil thought he was a keen cyclist, rather than a large chap who’d only been on a bicycle three times in ten years. Living in the back garden of the Star makes it very convenient for both training rides and beer, although in the winter months there is definitely more beer than training. Toby’s goal for the 2008 ride is to be the fastest of the fatties and to lose sufficient weight to actually get into the team strip.
Karen Williams, Bentworth, Hampshire
Karen has had her bicycle stored safely in the shed at the pub for three and a half years. Before that only taking it out on special occasions. It's mileage has probably now topped 212 miles after training started with an 800 metre Boxing Day ride to the local vicarage and back. The New Year will see the acquisition of Matt's winter trainer and some SPD cleats, also, rather a few more miles on the road would be good.
Karen Says “ As matt said last year was “easy”,I look forward to making the men eat my dust!! ( only if my bike comes equipped with an engine)
John Stockdale, age well over 50, Bentworth, Hampshire
John has spent the decade unsuccessfully trying to change his lifestyle. Cycling to his local, The Star, was one way he considered doing this but then living just 50 yds away it was hardly going to have the desired effect.
Having picked up (almost literally) some of the returning team last year from Waterloo Station he realised what he had missed and has decided to use this year's London to Paris ride as an incentive to shed loads of weight and get fit so that he too can drink as much as they did.
Sally Stevens, Bentworth, Hampshire
Sally believes that she will be freewheeling to Paris, down country lands with birds singing, the sun shining and lashings of ginger beer. She also believes in Doctor Who and UFO's. And hasn't been on a bicycle for 10 years. At some point, reality will sink in, and then only the promise of cash for Action Medical Research will keep her going. Please help.
Keith Cullen, Bentworth, Hampshire
Words from Keith to follow
Jenny French, age 46, Bentworth, Hampshire
Jenny has been a fair weather recreational cyclist for approx 18 years during which time several 50-60 mile charity rides have been completed. She was one of the Star Inn team last year to participate in the London to Brighton bike ride. This year she has lost her marbles completely and joined the Paris team. Main concerns – will she make the ferry on the first day? Will her knees, bottom, back last the distance? Riding on the wrong side of the road in France.
Simon Gregory, aged 12 and 3/4, Bentworth, Hampshire
Words from Simon to follow
Kathryn Cullen, Bentworth, Hampshire
Words from Kathryn to follow
Phil Blatchford , age ?? (just upgraded from his first Penny Farthing), Bentworth, Hampshire
Words from Phil to follow
Chris Roper, age 40, Bude, Cornwall
After several weeks of Gary Watts hassling him followed by several pints of lager one night, Chris foolishly agreed to cycle to Paris. He bought his first road bike in April 2008 and as of the beginning of May, has ridden it 3 whole times.
He is looking forward to the ride in a similar fashion to the way he looked forward to having two teeth out. (It was excruciating but he felt wonderful once it was over.)
I thought I better write a few words about myself… better late than never! Well… I work as an Account Manager for a small business in Basingstoke called Office Expert Ltd selling stationery. I am a gym bunny, completely addicted and go almost everyday! I also enjoy cycling and running outdoors. I decided to take part in the cycle ride because I felt that I needed a challenge and this seemed perfect… I think the biggest challenge so far is trying to stay on my bike with my feet clipped in! I have dented a few bushes recently! Haha! Still it’s all part of the fun and I can’t wait to be cycling down the roads towards Paris… BRING IT ON!
"As seems to be the case with most of the rest of the team I was
enlisted into the ride & the team in a pub. The next morning I looked
at how far it 'actually' was, panicked, dug out the gym membership and
brought a bike.... I now spend my waking moments trying to slot in
enough time to train* for the ride, work & sleep (*training for the
ride does still include an element of basic pub reconnaissance and
product testing)! Looking forward to forcing my legs to keep spinning
all the way to Paris... gulp!"
Words from Steve to follow
Words from Martin to follow
Diane Blatchford, Bentworth, Hampshire
Words from Diane to follow
I was talked into this by Toby Stevens out on a days shooting in Herriard. He said: “I did it last year, it’s easy! J” So after a few beers in the pub later that day I decided to go for it. Considering I had no bike or an ounce of stamina you can see I must have had a few beers by this point. But I have to say I am getting along OK now with the shiny new bike and enjoying the ever increasing fitness (and loosing the odd pound or two). It’s finally sinking-in what I have signed up for and I have to say, I am glad it’s still a while off yet but: Bring On Paris! - “Contenders READY!!!” - Come On!
Words from Veronica to follow
Geoff or G known as by alot of people, Where to start....I'm a Website designer by day, and also part time fireman & ground crew at Thruxton and for Hampshire Air Ambulance Helicopter. I love sports in my free time, gymaholic, cycling, running anything that gets me active and out and about! I've not done anything like this bike ride before, but i'm really looking forward to it.
Words from Martin to follow
Words from Jon to follow
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The Challenges
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fundraising events
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The star inn, bentworth
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Sponsors/supporters 2008
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Sponsors/Supporters 2007
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charitieS
