They're off!

08:32 am saw the start of the challenge. There were scenes of near chaos at 8 Bamford Road this morning as Team Minogue assembled with a very impressive array of expensive-looking bicycles and padded bottoms. Eyes had to be averted as members of the team familiarised themselves with their apparel.
Packing the van proved to be a thing of art - see photo of Ben trying to hold it all in (much like the padded shorts).
As they lined up to turn the first pedal, Ste immediately suffered a technical breakdown, which was rapidly repaired by Col, the team professional.
They rolled off into what was, thankfully, a sunrise, and as at 1:00pm we have not heard from them again, as Al and myself sit in a Holiday Inn outside Chester, sipping our coffees and bantering with the wise-cracking waitress.
Mwanwhile there have been several desperate phone calls from Dan, who awaits rescue from somewhere near Chester. Not sure how this will be carried out; there's no room in the van for him, so maybe we will have to strap him to the roof rack.
After the first three-quarters of an hour on the road Al spotted a quartet of stranded Scouse girls, and despite communication difficulties, rescued them by mending their rear tyre. So the support team is proving useful to somebody.
LATE BREAKING NEWS: Cyclists arriving in Chester city centre in time for lunch! Ben sounded exhilarated.
EVEN LATER BREAKING NEWS: Dan was re-united with the rest of the gang at lunch time.
Martin