'lets Go To Land's End Tonight'
Watching Ben pass Taunton yesterday Angie and I decided to get up at about 2am to get to Lands End to greet Ben and his team.
We caught Ben at one of the few single carraige way parts of the A30. A very good natured traffic jam at 4am, Angie shouting well done Ben out of the window and cars honking in appreciation.
Reaching Lands End we found lots of cars in the car park, one included Brian, Jake and Adam from our Taunton branch. A short sleep and then the excitement built, the camper arrived and with the sun just begining to light the eastern sky Ben came charging (30mph!!) round the final bend lights blazzing, down the final slope under the arches to finish with a new world record time for Le Jogle.
Wow what an emotional scene,what an unbelievable achievement, the superlatives exhausted, human endurance pushed way beyond it's intended limits by the power of thought!
Publication Date: 27/08/2010 10:03:23
Touch Line Cheering Ben Rockett
I have spent the whole day monitoring Ben's progress. The BBC phoned to follow up and I have kept in touch with the shops and Russell Coles.
Angie and I were going to wave Ben on at the Worlds End on the A38, I was having an afternoon nap when Alex phoned to say his girlfriend Lynsey was at Wellington Road with lots of others cheering Ben on.
Frantic rush to our position and then excitement as we waited, you could tell they were coming because the traffic out of Taunton was obviously being held up. I could see the group rising up by our neighbours Sheppys Cider and we were ready.
No sooner were they apon us than they were gone! Ben recognised me, said hello Paul and pushed on. I am very relieved that he is alert enough to be that responsive.
Phew what a hero. I am now thinking about what we can do to raise more money for the Cardiac Risk in the Young, Ben's chosen charity.
Publication Date: 26/08/2010 21:00:49
Ben Rockett For Superman
My children like Super Heroes, you know the Marvel Comic ones.
Well now there is a real life one who comes from Taunton and is riding one of our bikes, Mr Ben Rockett.
Ben is past Hereford and we should see him later this afternoon in Taunton. If you visit our Bridgwater shop this afternoon and there are no staff they will be on the A38 cheering the hero on.
Publication Date: 26/08/2010 10:01:05
Ben Rockett Back In England
Ben is nearly back to Carlisle.
We are all watching his progress, happy when he's moving, worried when the signals stopped. Friends are phoning, speculating on his well being and all wondering how he is able to keep going!
Publication Date: 25/08/2010 10:59:00
Rockett Man's Halfway
I have just spoken to Russel our bike builder who is riding the night shift from Wick to John o Groats, the conversation was cut short as Ben was keen to get off. Ben is about 15 hours inside the record at this point
The plan is a quick u turn and then head back to Lands End. The weather is rainy, it's dark and we are getting ready for bed, Ben and team out cycling for the record.
Publication Date: 23/08/2010 21:57:26
Amazing Deals On Giant, Gary Fisher & Trek Bikes
Publication Date: 22/08/2010 11:49:02
Ben On Target
Just gone 4.30pm and Ben Rockett is already passed Taunton and heading for Bridgwater.
Richard and Russel have riden from Bridgwater to meet him and ride with him past Bridgwater. Not keen on the staff bunking off early but this is a one off!!!!
Publication Date: 21/08/2010 16:43:40
Good Luck Ben
Publication Date: 21/08/2010 09:54:37
Thanks A Lot
For a birthday treat we hired a boat for the day at Dartmouth. Tony who owns and runs the boat Falcon 2 was great fun and we enjoyed the sea air, the local history and the wild life.
http://www.dartboat.com/skipper.htm
The idea was for me to relax, unwind and forget The Bicycle Chain for a day. Objective achieved, we are home it's 8pm, we are thinking of a chinese to save any effort and the phone rings........... it's the alarm company someone is breaking into the Taunton store.
I worry about the criminals we have these days. It's still broad daylight, we have very sophisticated alarms and expensive locks. They damage the door, spoil my evening, cost me money to restore everything for what NOTHING.
Still in the words of Forrest Gump, sh1t happens
Publication Date: 05/08/2010 18:20:00
Why Do We Sell Trek Bikes, Part 2
In short every year 8500 ‘lucky’ amateur cyclist get to ride one of the hardest stages of the Tour on closed roads. It’s like being a professional Tour rider for the day.
John Burke, who is the President (owner) of Trek, has now ridden and finished l’Etape twice with his wife and members of Trek’s staff. Simon my contact at Trek UK rode across the line with John, high fiving to celebrate, (something Americans do apparently).
Read the blogg here http://agreatride.typepad.com/a-great-ride/
So why is this a reason for us selling Trek bikes? John is not a professional cycle racer; he is a regular guy like our customers as well as the man in charge of Trek. Do you think he is evaluating the quality of the product when he is spending hours in the saddle, can you imagine the meal time conversations at home if Mrs Burke is unhappy with her Trek bike!
I challenge anyone to find a CEO of a bicycle company who has the enthusiasm and joy using the products that his company develops, manufacturers and sells as much as John Burke. And that’s another reason why I am confident selling Trek bikes to our customers.
Publication Date: 05/08/2010 18:12:25
