Roll up! Roll up!

Fancy donating a little bit more to the good causes supported by the cycle?

If you would like to "buy" a photo from any of the cycle days or charity evenings for a token donation, just email Steph Garrod at stephanie-111@hotmail.com with your name, when you were snapped, or which photos you would like.

Go on, you know you want to! : )

Get Connected! WRC-BRC Cycle Blog Day Five: Elfyn Evans and Jason Pritchard

On the fifth tough day of the WRC-BRC cycle the numbers are increasing and Jason Pritchard joins the ranks fresh from third overall on Rally Isle of Man alongside Pirelli Star Driver nominee Elfyn Evans.

"We got caught in a downpour today, but otherwise it's been a great day," says Jason. "There's about 25 of us cycling now and it's good fun.

"I had to stop a few times because one of my pedals kept coming lose and I had to fix it. But we're going at our own pace and I'm not finding it too bad. I didn't do any training as such, but I used to do a lot of cycling and they do say you never forget how to ride a bike!"

With his father Gwyndaf having cycled earlier in the week, Elfyn took his turn on the saddle today.

"It's not all been easy today, but great fun," says Elfyn. "I didn't get to take part last year when dad did it, so thought I'd have a go this week.

"We're raising money for two great causes, Spinal Research and Wales Air Ambulance. It would be nice to do the whole week, but I've not been able to.

"Last night's auction was another night of laughter with Howard Davies. Jason and I were on a panel and so were my dad, Nicky Grist, Mark Higgins and lots of others.

"We've got another auction tonight, then it's on to Swansea for the big finish tomorrow."

It is believed that the forum in Aberystwyth last night raised over 4,000 pounds to add to the great donations which continue to pour in on the WRC-BRC website.

There's still time to pledge online, thanks to everyone for your support!

Get Connected! WRC-BRC Cycle Blog Day Four: Tom Cave and Damian Cole

As the WRC-BRC cycle troops spend a fourth long day on their bikes going from Lake Vyrnwy to Aberystwyth, we caught up with IRC Proton driver Tom Cave and Get Connected! sponsor and rally driver Damian Cole.

The boys faced a struggle against the elements this morning with driving rain and strong winds on the road, but have been motivated by new faces joining their ranks today, including a bunch of members from Aberystwyth Motor Club who cycled into Aberystwyth alongside the boys.

"We had a tough start uphill this morning," says Tom. "The rain was horizontal and we had winds of about 30mph in our faces. That was a real wake up call for us all. Then we had two miles downhill to relax.

"I'm absolutely loving being on the trip. Everyone is so supportive of each other and works as a team, there's no competitive element, it's all about setting our own pace and helping each other through.

"It's such a good fitness test for us all being involved in rallying. So far I feel comfortable, but I think a lot of us might buy bicycle seats with some extra padding in them for the 2011 event!

"My next rally will be the Czech round of the IRC in August, so this is certainly helping to keep my fitness levels up ahead of that."

As a regular rally sponsor and competitor, Damian jumped at the chance to back the event through his Get Connected! concern.

"Wales Air Ambulance and Spinal Research are two really great causes," says Damian. "As competitors none of us ever know when we might have to call upon them for help or support, so to be able to help raise awareness and money for both causes is a great opportunity.

"I've been training for a few weeks now because I took part in a town centre bike race recently which was set up for local traders. The pace is a bit slower here, but we're all still doing really well and really clocking up the mileage.

"We've got a forum tonight in Aberystwyth which should be brilliant fun, then unfortunately I have to leave the boys to finish the cycle because I'm off to Ireland to do the ALMC Stages this weekend. Doing the cycle will definitely be helping to keep me fit for that."

After another great day on the road, the boys would like to wish Happy Birthday to Scott from RallyBuzz for giving the event such great publicity.

For more information on tonight's forum click here, and to make a donation to the boys, please click here : )

Three days into the WRC-BRC cycle across Wales, Gwyndaf "The Machine" Evans has joined the boys for a few days. On last year's cycle the other riders constantly referred to Gwyndaf as "The Machine" because he seemed to go up the massive Welsh hills so easily.

For today's blog we caught up with JRM BRC frontrunner Gwyndaf and Swift Group-supported BTRDA driver Matt Edwards, to see how things went on their trip from Bettws Y Coed to Lake Vyrnwy. Matt has been on the cycle for three days now and is probably one of the best prepared cyclists in the team.

"I had to take part to help raise money for such good causes," says Matt. "It's also a great physical test and a challenge. It helps me get fit for rallies and is much more fun than standing in a gym, and we raise money as we go.

"I did a fair bit of training to prepare for the event and it means I'm getting on pretty well so far. I trained on harder terrain without stopping for long times, so I'm really enjoying the pace of the cycle so far. I've got Great Orme on my doorstep, so it's been a great training ground. I've been doing 40 mile cycles in one go. Speed isn't important to us on this trip, it's all about being a team and keeping together really. The aim is to maintain your pace - it's a bit like that weird feeling when you're trying to manage a lead in a rally! You have to keep your energy and know when a big hill's coming up.

"It's been quite windy and rainy today and we had a massive steep hill first thing, the wind was even slowing us down going downhill. Then after lunch we had a big climb up to Lake Vyrnwy, but we're all boosted by the fantastic night we had a the forum last night where North Wales Car Club raised over 4,000 pounds for us."

Gwyndaf is on his first day of the cycle, but is as fit and fast as he was last year - despite cycling with an injury.

"I seem to have pulled a muscle under my ribs on Friday on Rally Isle of Man," says Gwyndaf. "It's been pretty sore up until now, but I really wanted to take part in the cycle and thankfully it doesn't feel too bad once I'm on the bike.

"I stepped up my training for the cycle this year and it seems to have paid off, I've done a few big hills today and so far I feel great. Like last year, it's all brilliant fun and everyone is in great spirits spurring each other on to keep going. It's a real team building experience.

"The forum last night was amazing. Howard Davies was the compere and as usual he made the evening fantastic fun for everyone, and we raised over 4,000 pounds as well as having a great night out which is nice to have when you get off the bike after a long day. We had amazing support."

Last year triple British champion Mark Higgins and Gwyndaf competed slightly on the cycle for part of the route, and seemed to revel in the experience of cycling side by side for fun.

"I'm not sure if Mark is able to join us this year," says Gwyndaf. "But if he does I'll relish the challenge he will bring with him, like last year. I'll be cycling again tomorrow, then my son Elfyn is my sub for Friday and we both hope to do Saturday to the finish."

After another great day, the boys would like to wish Happy Birthday to Darren Garrod's wife Steph who is helping along the route, and say a big thank you to Mary and Catherine who are feeding them up like champion athletes should be fed!

Tomorrow night the team will be at a forum at Aberystwyth which you can read more about here If you can't make it along you can make a donation by clicking here. Many thanks for your support.

Over four thousand pounds was raised by North Wales Car Club for the WRC-BRC Cycle in one stunning night last night at a rally forum.

An amazing achievement in just a few hours! Many thanks to the club and everyone who attended the event and made a donation.

If you couldn't make it, don't feel left out! You can make a donation by clicking here :)

Today the cycle lads made the 50 mile journey from Mennai Bridge via Bangor and Llandudno to Bettws Y Coed.

With two days under their belts, we catch up with co-driver Darren Garrod - who fell off his bike on day three last year - and teenage rally driver Osian Pryce to see how they're getting on.

"We did about 51 miles today and most of it was in really good weather until I caused a problem," laughs Darren. "I got a puncture at our last service and we were mucking about changing the tube when the heavens opened, leaving us to do the last five miles in the pouring rain!

"Today was good and I don't feel too bad yet in terms of aches and pains. I think doing the event last year probably helped me, and I did 160 miles on the bike last week so I'm as fit as I'll ever be for this! But tomorrow will be a real test. Within four miles of the start tomorrow we're hitting a massive hill, then it will be another big test up to Lake Vyrnwy, where we're staying.

"I've kept on my bike so far, but it's only the second day I suppose. Osian came off today though, but I'll let him tell you about that..."

Osian has come to the cycle straight from a rally in Latvia at the weekend. The 17-year-old driver finished 23rd overall and second in class on Rally Latgale, qualifying for his international rally license in the process.

"We got home from Latvia at 5am on Monday so I had to miss the cycle yesterday," said Osian. "So I left home at 6am this morning to get to Bangor in time to join the crew, and I'm part of the team for the rest of the week. It's such a good opportunity to raise money for two charities which do so much for rallying - Wales Air Ambulance and Spinal Research. I had to be part of the event.

"I didn't do any training and knew I would find it a challenge, but I've really enjoyed today. I'm just plodding on and finding my own pace and enjoying it. We started off in a group this morning but by our third stint of the day I think some of us had underestimated how steep the section was, so we split up a bit and regrouped at the end of the section.

"But as Darren says, I did come off the bike today. We took a cycle path which followed the sea and I was following in the tracks of event organiser Mark Lewis, but one wheel got out of line and everything went a bit pear shaped! At least it was on sand, so I had a soft landing. I just got back up and carried on, but I'm sure it kept everyone amused."

Also helping out as part of the road crew on this year's cycle is Darren's wife Stef. She will be celebrating her birthday on the road with the boys tomorrow, so if you see them be sure to shout 'Happy birthday' as you give them a donation.

With four days of the WRC-BRC cycle left to go, tomorrow the group will start off Bettws Y Coed and finish at Lake Vyrnwy.

To make a donation click here!

With one day and a whopping 38 miles in very warm conditions under their belts, we've just caught up with organiser Mark Lewis and British and Chinese Rally Championship co-driver Ieuan Thomas to see how they got on.

Ieuan Thomas has gone straight into the event after taking a sixth place finish on Rally Isle of Man, co-driver for Dave Weston Junior. The event only finished on Saturday.

"Our boat got delayed on the way back from the Isle of Man, so I've only had a few hours sleep last night before a 7am start this morning to get cycling," said Ieuan. "So I probably wasn't that well prepared for my first day of long distance cycling.

"It's been fantastic so far though. There is an amazing sense of camaraderie among us already and we've only been on the bikes for three and a half hours! Thankfully we've not had any major incidents so far, but myself and Darren Garrod think we might need gravel crews for the rest of the week because we both nearly fell off on the very first corner!

"I've not been out on my bike too much this year and good grief, you can tell by the pains in my legs already. We didn't even do a full day today! I'm hoping the pains will have gone by tomorrow. I'm planning to cycle the full week, so I hope my legs stick to that plan too!

"We did about 38 miles today and it's 50 ahead tomorrow. I thought it was quite hilly today, but I'm told I've not seen anything yet which is quite a worry. It really is a fantastic experience and I'm really looking forward to the week ahead - and hoping I don't fall off!"

Organiser Mark Lewis has spent the year preparing for the 2010 cycle since they raised over 20,000 pounds for the charities last year - and he has been preparing in a rather amazing way.

"I've lost six stone in weight since the 2009 event," said Mark. "I've lost it since February this year, so I'm getting up the hills a lot quicker than I did last year! I feel brilliant, and the cycle is going really well. Everyone is really sticking together rather than being competitive - but it's still only day one, so that might well change!

"We've been on live television already and we've got Ralio and radio stations with us at various points on the cycle too. Lots of people know what we're up to, so if they all sponsor us we should rasie quite a bit again this year. We've also had quite a few people supporting us en route and we've just been in the pub having some food and when everyone saw our team t-shirts they all started giving us donations. It's been brilliant.

"We've also had Port Talbot Motor Club saying they will organise a bit of a do for us on Saturday because we were due to finish on the finish ramp of the Swansea Bay Rally which has been postponed. They're planning a finish at the Maritime Museum in Swansea, so we'll hope to get there any time between 2pm and 4pm on Saturday if anyone wants to come along and cheer us home."

Tomorrow night (Tuesday) the crew will be attending a forum organised by North Wales Car Club at the Llandudno Junction Community Centre. Tickets are still available, click here for more information so you can go along and pledge your support to the cyclists.

The cyclists have set off on their way this morning for a leg and bum aching six days of cycling ahead!

Every night one or two of the boys will be doing an online blog in conjunction with RallyBuzz.com so keep an eye on the RallyBuzz site to see how they are getting on.

Last year there was no shortage of tales coming from the event - from numb bums to tumbles into brambles to Mark Higgins versus Gwyndaf Evans uphill challenges!

It all led to over 20,000 quid being raised for the charities, so while you're here, don't forget to make a donation by clicking HERE!

Monday 12th

Start at Drop off point outside Holyhead port at 14:00

Via Get-Connected shop 249 High Street, Bangor, LL57 1RA

Finish at Travel Lodge Bangor LL57 4BG


Tuesday 13th

Start at Travel Lodge Bangor LL57 4BG at 09:00hrs

Via Llandudno West Shore car park (lunch)

Finish at Swallow Falls Hotel, Bettws Y Coed LL24 0DW


Wednesday 14th

Start at Swallow Falls Hotel, Bettws Y Coed LL24 0DW 09:00hrs

Via Penmachno & Bala (lunch)

Finish at Lake Vyrnwy at end of Dam near village


Thursday 15th

Start at Lake Vyrnwy at end of Dam near village 09:00hrs

Via Dinas Mawddwy, Machynlleth (Lunch)

Get-Connected Shop 13 Terrace Road Aberystwyth SY23 1NY

Finish at Aberystwyth Football Club, Park Avenue Aberystwyth SY23 1PG


Friday 16th

Start at Aberystwyth Football Club, Park Avenue Aberystwyth SY23 1PG 09:00hrs

Via Tregaron Lampeter(Lunch)

Get-Connected Grayfriars Shopping Centre Carmarthen SA31 3BN

Finish at Trinity Collage Carmarthen SA31 3EP


Saturday 17th

Start at Trinity Collage Carmarthen SA31 3EP 09:00hrs

Via Pembrey, Millennium coastal path/park

Get Connected 250 Oxford Street, Swansea SA1 3 BL

Finish at Maritime Museum Swansea SA1 1TW Approx 14:00-15:00

Double British rally champion David Llewellin has confirmed his attendance at the forum in Carmarthen.

The 1989 and 1990 British champion is also likely to cycle with the team on their final day on Saturday.

Rally stars are lining up to take part in this year's WRC-BRC Cycle and YOU could join them along the route. If you can assist the team by helping out with providing food and drinks, collecting money along the route, anything you can think of, then please contact Mark Lewis on 078 4348 0276.

People hoping to take part so far include:
Damian Cole
Mark Lewis
Gwyndaf Evans
Nicky Grist
Elfyn Evans
Jason Pritchard
Carl Jones
Robart Williams
Darren Garrod
Ieuan Thomas
Matt Edwards
Damian Cole
Craig Drew
Aled Loveluck
Osian Pryce
Aled Lewis
Dale Furnis
Wyn Slim
Karen Morgan
Geraint Lloyd
Emyr Penlan

Hello!

Hopefully you'll already have noticed the poster for the Aberystwyth forum on the other blog entry, but just to keep you updated on the other nights.

Roll up, roll up, come along to the rally forums at...

Tuesday 13th July
Community Centre, Llandudno Junction
Starts 7.30pm
Forum and buffet

Friday 16th July
Carmarthen Rugby Club
Starts: 7.30pm

News of special guests to follow!

The organisers of the WRC-BRC cycle would like to express HUGE thanks to Damian Cole for backing the event under the banner of his fantastic Get Connected! franchise.

It's a huge boost to the event, now running in its second year having raised over 20,000 pounds for the two charities in 2009.

Thanks Damian!

You will all know Damian well from his own rally driver exploits. For more information on his achievements on the stages, visit his Get Connected! Rally Team site by clicking here

and for more info on Get Connected! click here!