"The Great North to South Ride" Report

It was a fantastic ride from the North to the South of Qatar yesterday, even though it meant getting out of bed at 3am in the morning or was it really a case of getting up in the middle of the night to make this event, either way when we finished it we were all ecstatic. We met at the Golf Club at 3.45am so we would travel in “Convoy” to Al Ruwais and departed on time. During the road trip to Al Ruwais the dark night sky was lit up with forks of lightening every now and again. We eventually arrived there at around 5.20am so we had ample time to rest & prepare. Please see the report on the ride from Adrian.

Initially many thanks must go to Jamie, Helen, Lukas, Marga, Nadjib and Fiona for supporting the event and being there when we needed them. I was fantastic to have you and really appreciated your efforts and time. You guys are complete stars.
We left Doha in the wind and rain and arrived in Al Ruwais in plenty of time to get prepared. Ben, Ben, Erik, Murray Hugo Jason, Gavin, Spence, Brian, Phil, Richard and Adrian started out at 0615 after an agreed safety brief. The stronger riders did most of the work up front and we made good time to the Zubara Fort, then onwards to the Al Ghuwayriha junction where we stopped for refueling. Phil Holmes tried his hardest to stay with the pace but had drifted off and eventually joined his support car due to a pulled muscle.
Onwards to Dukhan we were well on target with our estimated times as the pace stayed high. Thanks for the "soft pedaling" times that helped a few cyclists. Brian Matt and Gus met us at Dukhan with flasks of hot coffee, milk and sugar (and teaspoons!) - I love those guys! Unexpectedly, Lando also joined us. Back on the bikes with a great tailwind and steady pace, puncture for Richard before the first hill and as agreed, we all stopped and helped. Richard felt he had been short changed at 155psi! This caused a lot of laughter. Back on the bikes and "Bang!" - Not another puncture...no, it was the release of all that testosterone and pent-up energy as all the hills and down hills was attacked. The group was soon spread out over a km. After the steam had blown off, the pace eased to allow others to catch up. I was tail end Charlie being towed back by Hugo. We did the bunny hops over the seismic cables for 5km and then I had a puncture.
Fiona dashed out with foot pump again. Hugo helped with the repair, and then I drafted Spence Hugo and Gavin through sandstorm. I felt very weak but they refused to let me get back in the support vehicle and nursed me along to our third and final stop where everyone had waited. "Only" 30km to go to the Saudi border. Everyone showed great discipline in sticking together to the end as agreed.
The "banned" sprint at the end was won by Jason!
We averaged over 37kmh for 213km and achieved above our expectations. We shared a great day together and many thanks to you all.
You can have a look at some of the photos by copying and pasting the link below http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=9364&id=100000363002403&l=da03d8ba76
It should also be noted that most of the traffic on the day showed great road manners when driving past or against us and the vast Majority of them acknowledged & supported us with the Tooting of their horns. This was nice to see and hear and was very much appreciated especially when we were beginning to feel the pains toward the end of the ride.