Blog
Behind the blisters. Check out the blog for a day by day update on Dallaglio’s Cycle Slam. From the man himself, his partners in pain and the occasional input from others.
Dallaglio Cycle Slam The Movie
2010-04-21 17:10:27
BREAKING NEWS: We have been trying to raise some money by selling the Slam film rights, and Dickie has sent through a copy of this internal email written by the Head of Development at Dreamworks. Rather encouraging.
Final thoughts on the Dallaglio Cycle Slam - Andrew Croker
2010-03-29 09:10:54
“May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of His hand”. (Traditional Irish blessing).
Captain’s Blog. Star date 15th March - Andrew Croker
2010-03-15 13:01:38
Sunday morning, sitting on the train to Kings Cross. It’s packed – some (not us) have paid £25 to upgrade to first, and are standing or sitting on the floor, Hardly seems worth it.
Team Sim's Wright makes up with Canavan at Dallaglio Cycle - Chris Wright (The Spoof Blog!)
2010-03-15 12:58:10
Team Sim star man Wright successfully defended his lead over the final stage to claim his first DCS title at Murrayfield this weekend.
We're done. DCS completed! - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-03-12 17:52:30
We have reached the finish line. The Dallaglio Cycle Slam has come to a close. It's over. We're through. Done.
Team Sim superstar cyclist Chris Wright breaks down in tears - The Spoof Blog!
2010-03-12 17:46:53
Champion cyclist Chris Wright has threatened to leave the team after clashing with fellow Team Sim rider and birthday boy JC at the Dallaglio Cycle Slam in Dumfries on Wednesday night.
Thursday 11th March - Andrew Croker
2010-03-11 19:50:20
A steady 92km north to Lanark today. Looking at the profile I knew that we only climbed 300m in the first 50km, but we were going alongside and against the River Nith so could tell it would be steady hard work on heavy roads, against the prevailing north east wind.
On the road with Paul Kimmage - Andrew Croker
2010-03-11 16:28:59
A little bonus blog for you today readers. Normal service wil be resumed tonight - our last fancy dress day.
Wednesday 10th March - Andrew Croker
2010-03-10 17:03:31
The Lee Dixon curse is broken - he came back and it didn't pour, and in fact was maybe the best day yet.
Stunning Scottish Scenery - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-03-10 13:50:52
We've just cycled through some of the most beautiful scenery we've seen all tour in the Galloway Forest Park near Dumfries.
Tuesday 9th March - Andrew Croker
2010-03-09 17:10:50
This is the day to water ski at sea, Christine. On Stena Line - which really is lovely - as we transfer to Scotland - just three days to go, and it is pancake flat.
Greg Simstrong leads team Sim to another major win in the DCS - Chris Wright (The Spoof Blog)
2010-03-09 17:07:45
Team Sim principal Greg Simstrong delivered Team Sim's latest major victory in the Dallaglio Cycle Slam with a gritty sprint finish in stage 5 of the £1m Charity Ride.
Monday 8th March - Andrew Croker
2010-03-08 17:14:56
Dinner on the 13th floor of the Crowne Plaza was a high point of the trip, and many went to bed early facing 133km today.
Stunning Ireland - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-03-07 22:17:22
It's hard to imagine that 3 weeks ago we were cycling through 6inches of snow in northern Italy.
The Spoof Blog - Chris Wright
2010-03-07 20:00:37
Team Sim riders celebrate after winning the team time-trial in the Dallaglio Cycle Slam in Dundalk today.
Sunday 7th March - Andrew Croker
2010-03-07 19:30:30
THE BOWLEGLIO CYCLE SLAM
Saturday 6th March - Andrew Croker
2010-03-07 18:18:01
So just 400km, or 250 miles in english money. to go, with five riding days left - and a rest day - as the Americans say (god knows why) - do the math.
Team Wright make stunning race debut with one-two finish - Chris Wright
2010-03-05 19:31:46
New British cycling outfit Team Wright had a dream debut on Friday with a one-two finish in their first race as part of the Dallaglio Cycle Slam.
The end is in sight - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-03-05 17:56:29
Today marked the beginning of Stage 5. We crossed from Fishguard to Rosslare yesterday evening and will make our way up the east coast of the Emerald Isle before crossing to Stranraer and heading to Edinburgh.
Friday 5th March - Andrew Croker
2010-03-05 17:43:42
Pass me the thesaurus mother. I am running out of superlatives.
Thursday 4th March - Andrew Croker
2010-03-04 19:01:57
Think we are in love with Wales. What looked like a slog down the M4 corridor, into the prevailing westerly wind, turned into days with the wind and sun on our backs, in the most beautiful countryside.
Millennium Stadium - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-03-03 18:51:40
Another day of glorious weather as we cross the Severn Bridge into Wales.
Wednesday 3rd March - Andrew Croker
2010-03-03 18:40:18
5.30pm and have just witnessed the most emotional finish of the tour so far. Today was NOT as advertised - 30km flat and fast and then it went horribly lumpy, with 2100m of vertical, including a 2km climb at 100km that maxed at 20% and averaged 15% all the way. A brutal day (actually 117km), which if billed accurately would have got some to bed before 4.30am last night.
Departure from Twickers - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-03-01 19:36:54
A new group of riders congregate in the Greene King tent (fitting) on a rainy (typical) Sunday morning for the latest stage of the Dallaglio Cycle Slam (daunting)!
Monday 1st March - Andrew Croker
2010-03-01 19:29:36
Just as Lee Dixon is the bad weather jinx, you know it's lovely if I'm not on the bike. I missed the charming last 50km of the run into Chablis (heart over-revving) and I now have the bug that is doing the rounds - don't ask for details, but like the Carling Cup Final, there's a lot of action at both ends. Did the sod give it to me when he waved us off at Twickenham?
Burgers, Booze and Bikes - Paul Madeira (Causeway)
2010-03-01 00:04:16
After training in Dubai, I thought I would be prepared for the week ahead...
Sunday 28th February - Andrew Croker
2010-02-28 18:28:31
Planned as a fun day but the perfect storm deterred the tourists.
Saturday 27th February - Andrew Croker
2010-02-28 08:24:19
A time to reflect, with a rest day for England v Ireland. A medical bias today.
The Home of Rugby - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-02-27 11:51:05
What a great welcome back to the home of rugby as Prince Harry greeted us at Twickenham.
Friday 26th February - Andrew Croker
2010-02-27 11:46:26
An amazing finish to Stage 3 for our group of 70 odd riders, riding in to Twickenham and being greeted in the stadium by Prince Harry, who I reckon spoke to every single rider - and Bonzo's young daughter Isabella, who said he 'smelled lovely'. Clearly tomorrow's game is the hottest ticket in town. Or is that the Bridge -Terry date earlier?
Thursday 25th February - Andrew Croker
2010-02-27 11:35:10
Joanna pretty sick overnight and did well to start on an empty stomach. Paul Kimmage nursed her to Calais.
Back to Blighty - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-02-25 16:00:08
Group photo at the Stade de France and then a short bus trip out of Paris to avoid some pretty danger roads - the Peripherique is the Paris equivalent of the M25 except with worse drivers!
Wednesday 24th February - Andrew Croker
2010-02-24 18:02:40
We started the day at Thiepval, the Lutyens memorial to the 72,000 British and South African officers and men who died in the Somme sector and have no known grave.
Tuesday 23rd February - Andrew Croker
2010-02-24 17:27:54
On paper an easy day. Sadly we don't ride on paper.
One Night in Paris! - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-02-23 22:29:50
We depart Chablis having had one of the most truly genuine welcomes of the tour.
Monday 22nd February - Andrew Croker
2010-02-22 18:34:08
I have abandoned.....
Open roads, open bottles of Chablis and open arms - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-02-22 08:35:15
Two days of rolling French countryside - and not a drop of rain to dampen our spirits.
Worst day for me but Joanna flying - Sunday 21st - Andrew Croker
2010-02-21 15:53:29
Paul Kimmage back today after a break to write his piece for the Sunday Times which I read on line at breakfast. Very funny. He had fresh legs, good form and orange hair extensions.
Saturday 20th February - Andrew Croker
2010-02-21 06:39:53
Some tired legs after fighting the mistral yesterday, but lovely french back roads today, with quiet Saturday traffic.
It's raining ... in my heart - Damian Hopley
2010-02-19 19:54:46
The finish line is in sight when...
Bonzo goes to Dollywood - Damian Hopley
2010-02-19 19:47:47
Lola and the Flirty Dozen stop the traffic in Genoa
What is it with the weather?? - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-02-19 19:02:24
A glorious day of sun a scenery is followed by rain and blustery winds in nougat country!
Stage 2: Vive La France - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-02-19 07:38:15
130km of Italian coastline in the pouring rain is followed by bright sunshine on the French Rivieira.
Thursday 18th Feb - Mandelieu to Pertuis - Andrew Croker
2010-02-18 21:28:59
France. 24 new boys and girls arrived. The leavers partied all night at a colossal villa hosted by sponsors Causeway. Top guys.
Polka-dot Panties - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-02-18 12:40:03
Imagine the looks on the faces of the residents of La Spezia as 50 cyclists ride through the town centre wearing an array of fancy dress. Damian Hopley chose a full set of giraffe pyjamas, Lee Dixon has got on some polka-dot panties, Les Ferdinand goes for a huge padded bra and I don some pink knickers and a red tinsel wig!
Arenzano to San Remo - End of Stage 1 - Andrew Croker
2010-02-17 18:16:52
Rained. Unremittingly. Freezing. Miserable. Wet through. Cold. Whole way. Beautiful view, allegedly. Never saw it. Numb feet. Hands too. Italian traffic. Dreadful. Drivers. Worse.
La Spezia to Arenzano - Andrew Croker
2010-02-17 08:19:19
A wet start. Billed as mountains but just some steady climbs up past Positano. 100km of lovely roads and then the ghastly experience of riding through Genova (Genoa to us). Total vertical today 2050m.
Potholes, Pisa and Prostitutes - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-02-16 17:19:59
Valentine's Day in San Gimignano and then another 160km cycle...
La Dolce Vita! - Ride Day 4 - Damian Hopley
2010-02-16 17:09:53
Harv and I awake to another stunning morning in Tuscany as the mist roles in over the hills, and the rest day has been nothing short of a masterstroke from the event organisers. The main issue now is that, 4 days into the journey, our kit has taken on a life if its own.
Love is all around us - Damian Hopley
2010-02-16 17:06:00
Some very weary limbs and spirits this morning are lifted by the sight of Valentine’s cards that have been slipped under our doors in the still of the night. As I tear open the envelope in anticipation, I glance nervously at Harvey and wonder whether I might actually get to try that spooning manoeuvre before the day is out...
Day 3 - Andrew Croker
2010-02-16 08:38:23
San Gimignano to La Spezia. 170km.
Just a spectacular day. Clear blue skies and hardly a breath of wind.
A lumpy few k to start and then downhill and pancake flat for 160km.
Rest Day - Andrew Croker
2010-02-14 17:17:21
No HGV's allowed on the road on Sundays so stuck to planned rest day.
The long and winding road - Day 2 - Damian Hopley
2010-02-14 14:20:48
A relatively quiet night, and I am fortunate to be sharing a room with another great friend and Cycle tragic, Harvey Smythe. Harvey was the brains behind the Gondola Pyrenees Challenge in September 2008 – 950 km in 8 days from Biarritz to Perpignan with the small issue of negotiating 34 mountains on the way.
Quattro Staggioni! - Day 1 - Damian Hopley
2010-02-14 14:11:37
A 6.30 a.m. start for all and sundry and we excitedly get dressed into our resplendent DCS kit, apply healthy dose of our long lost friend; the chamois cream – how I missed it – and then down to breakfast to get as much fuel on board for the 117km ride from Rome to Lake Bolsena.
I'm a Celebrity? - Heathrow to Rome - Damian Hopley
2010-02-14 14:06:50
After a 16 month absence, during which time the world has gone into financial meltdown, The United States of America has inaugurated a new President and we, in return have given the world Susan Boyle, the time has come to once more dust off our cycle cleats, don our skin tight lycra suits and get out on our bikes as we embark on yet another 2 wheel odyssey – The Dallaglio Cycle Slam (DCS) – aiming to raise a credit crunch busting £1m for Sport Relief and The Dallaglio Foundation.
Four seasons in one day - Day 2 - Andrew Croker
2010-02-14 12:49:32
If ever Continental want to promote their excellent 4 season tyres they should set today's footage to the Crowded House track and sit back.
The Longest Day - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-02-13 18:49:37
That's the longest day out of the way - and what a day it was.
What a difference a day makes. Day 2 - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-02-13 11:19:47
Yesterday Rome saw it's heaviest snow fall in 25 years resulting in gridlock, power cuts and a very cold Diego Dominguez!
Day 1 and it's snowing - heavily!! - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-02-12 08:46:28
Rome probably hasn't seen snow since the actual Romans but we are at the Stadio Flaminio bright and early and it is actually snowing - what an unbelievable start to the DCS! Still, spirits amongst the 32 cyclists are high.
We're in Italy - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-02-11 17:24:47
We're in Italy! I'm not sure whether I'm feeling sick with nerves, excitement or the chicken salad sarnie I had on the plane.
Last evening at home - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-02-10 18:40:11
We're off tomorrow morning...
Early start! - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-02-09 11:38:24
My wife was particularly unimpressed when the alarm went off at 4:45 this morning!
Friday 5th Feb - One Week To Go - Andrew Croker
2010-02-08 14:17:25
I can assure you there was no vodka luge at the Team SKY launch. Featured in the photo is 'French Fred', who has plotted our route across Italy and France. I think to be fair it is an optical illusion, but MC Damian Hopley (Wasps, and England - very briefly) said it reminded him of his days at Harrow.
Pizza and Beers - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-02-05 09:06:37
What a great evening - Pizza Express put on a fantastic night and the girls from Passionata sounded fantastic.
The Big Party - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-02-04 09:30:29
So it's the launch party for the Slam tonight and there's lots of planning to do.
Mechanic extraordinaire! - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-02-03 15:26:35
We have a new recruit ...
Maisy - a wonderful and brave little girl - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-02-02 10:39:57
This morning I'm doing a photo session with Maisy, a wonderful and brave little girl who lives with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), an uncurable, genetic disease that causes the skin to blister at the slightest touch.
Dancing on ice - 11 days to go - Andrew Croker
2010-02-02 09:10:07
Mightily relieved to get home and hang up our bikes on Saturday.
Shame about the boot of Priestland! - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-02-01 09:15:58
The weekend was a bit of a mix of activities ...
Lunch with John Inverdale - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-01-29 14:46:04
Lunch in the city today with John Inverdale
Sacla and Six Nations - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-01-27 13:51:02
Had a bit of a 'Dallaglio by Sacla' day yesterday...
Dallaglio Cycleslam and Team Sky – separated at birth? - Andrew Croker
2010-01-27 10:57:30
Wednesday 27th January: 15 days to go
Challenge: to get 260 people 2,800km across Europe in the depths of winter...
A great weekend of training - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-01-26 08:22:57
Two consecutive days of good training and two beautiful days of weather!
Causeway Awards Ceremony - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-01-22 16:27:25
Going to town this evening to the Causeway awards ceremony.
Wednesday 20th January: 23 days to go - Andrew Croker
2010-01-21 14:12:47
Decided that I should have a heart rate test just to be a little more scientific
Sport Relief Launched! - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-01-21 10:15:42
It was a long day yesterday but all in the name of a good cause.
A big week for all matters Slam! - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-01-19 16:07:07
Yesterday I met the lovely people at ICAP for lunch - a huge thanks to them for their incredibly generous donation to the Dallaglio Cycle Slam!
Less than four weeks... - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-01-18 13:21:48
I had a fantastic day out on Friday with Harvey Smyth, CEO of Pizza Express.
Pull! - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-01-15 11:46:18
I had lots of banter at a Greene King function last night as they have 25 riders taking part in the Dallaglio Cycle Slam.
Back On The Bike! - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-01-14 11:52:19
I am so glad the temperatures seem to be rising and tarmac is visible again through the snow and ice.
The snow won't stop Lee Dixon! - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-01-13 09:56:02
I was hoping last week was the last of the snow, so it was very disappointing to wake up to see London under a white blanket this morning.
No More Snow, Please! - Lawrence Dallaglio
2010-01-12 12:49:24
With the Dallaglio Cycle Slam just over a month away now I have been starting to put in some serious miles on the bike to make sure I’m in good shape – unfortunately the weather has had other ideas of late and the snow has slowed me down a bit.
