Swindon Town

FORMER Town player, Keith Scott was part of the F2A cycle ride last weekend that raised money for PCUK.

The ex-striker penned his thoughts in a daily diary which you can now read below. There is still time to donate to his JustGiving page - http://www.justgiving.com/Keith-Scott27

Day One
Five minutes before we start, a photo outside the Olympic Velodrome with my old Wycombe Wanderers team mate, Keith Ryan and Wycombe Wanderers Trust Director, David Roberton. The three of us exited along with over 150 other riders representing their respective clubs waiting to be called to the start for a 10-second countdown from Luther Blissett. The ride starts and we set of in a giant peloton but around 1 mile in and we come to a grinding halt. A local had decided to remove a directional sign, fortunately one of the riders had his sat nav so now we are all following him in hope that he is going the right way. Hurrah - a short time after he takes the lead we pick up the signs again and we are back on track. 

First water point at 21 miles. Time for a quick stop, refuel and away again. As I leave along with several others, we ask one of the event organisers which way; left she says and leg two has started. Only 21 miles and lunch. However, I and others have been cycling for about 15 minutes and no signs. We stop, have a chat and decide to put a call into the emergency number and are told we need to turn round as we are going the wrong way! So after a six-mile detour (plus 21 miles) we arrive at stop two for a lunch of jacket potatoes and soup. There were some interesting comments as we sat and ate our lunch from other riders who had also been told the wrong direction, especially from one rider who had done a 12-mile detour. Lunch over and ready for the start of leg three. 'Left' I am told as I leave. "Are you sure?" I say as I start my 20-mile journey to Colchester United FC. 3.50pm I arrive at Colchester only 20 miles to go and day one is over. A quick drink, visit to the little boys room, photo of the stadium and away I go to Harwich Rugby Club - my final destination.

I'm getting a little tired now. I have been in the saddle since 9am in the morning. The weather is not great and for most of the way I have been cycling into a head wind. 5.45pm and I arrive at the finish point of day one, give my bike to the event organisers, have a shower then into the rugby club for lots of food and a well-earned pint.

Day Two
After a pleasant overnight ferry, we arrived in the misty Hook of Holland, collected our bikes from the support vehicles and lined up at the start wearing our Prostate Cancer cycling shirts to begin day two and 63 miles which would end at the Amsterdam ArenA. After a difficult first day, day two is somewhat easier because Holland is very flat and although we are all very tired and stiff, the 63 miles is broken down into legs of 19, 18, 16 and 10 miles. We are reminded before we start that in Holland they drive on the opposite side of the road to us which at times can be confusing especially when approaching roundabouts and junctions. The weather on day two was beautiful with temperatures of around 25 degrees. The views were fantastic and the tulip fields in full bloom. After 37 miles we stopped for lunch at a pub and sat in the garden which backed onto one of the many canals. The sun was shining, the clouds were white as snow and the sky was beautifully blue: what a way to spend your Saturday afternoon. As comfortable as we all were, it was back on the bikes to begin the final charge to the finish line. After starting day two around 9.30am Dutch time the finish line was crossed at around 4pm. Medals were then collected, champagne was drunk, there were hugs all-round and a great feeling inside. It was then off to the hotel for a soak in the bath and get ready for our evening meal and night on the town. During the meal we were told that last year’s total fundraising had been surpassed and they are expected to raise close to half a million pounds.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Swindon Town FC for their donation and support, all the Swindon Town FC supporters who have donated to my fund raising page and Mitchell's Cycles of Swindon for my bike, helmet and service prior to the ride. Because of your help, support and money raised, together we are fighting Prostate Cancer.