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At the pub, finally!

At the pub, finally!
Originally uploaded by DanSolo.

Here we are enjoying a pint and dinner at La Chaumime next to the F1 hotel. It's been a great weekend but it'll be good to be back home. Same time next year anyone?!?

It's all over!

It's all over!
Originally uploaded by DanSolo.

We did it! Aching muscles, blisters, exhaustion abound but we completed Le Mans 2006! From left to right Dan Solo, Dogsbody, Merry, Drakey, Bitwobbly, Freeman, Evans, Dave and Lemming. We're just arriving at the hotel for a well earned shower and perhaps even a pint or two!

Hans Solo

Hans Solo
Originally uploaded by DanSolo.

This is Ruff from Cskate (aka Hans). The crazy mad fool did the Le Mans 24hr ON HIS OWN as a solo effort. The cheer was massive as he came down the finishing straight holding the England flag aloft. He almost did 400 miles in 24 hours! What an achievement!

They think it's all over - it is now!

They think it's all over - it is now!
Originally uploaded by DanSolo.

This is lemming going under the finishing arch to complete the race for the Camberley skaters. We came a respectable 298th and although completely knackered, everyone has enjoyed Le Mans 2006. Next stop the pub!

Lemming about to start the last lap

Lemming about to start the last lap
Originally uploaded by DanSolo.

He's in the group of 4 skaters in the middle of the picture. If he crosses the finish line before 24 hours are up he gets to do another lap - which he did by the way!

The last man

The last man
Originally uploaded by DanSolo.

Lemming has stepped forward as the man to finish the race for us. At 10 minutes to go the pits are cleared and whoever is on the track has to keep going. There's a whole strategy for the end of the race worked out - let's see how it goes!

The closing stages

The closing stages
Originally uploaded by DanSolo.

We're all slowing down now. In prep for leaving, we're packing up tents which is a good sign that the end is near. I've got 1 more 1.5 hour shift at 14:00 and then that's it

It's been a brill experience if very knackering but I'll be glad of getting to the hotel this evening. 3 days of washing at the water tap doesn't come close to warm running water!

Morning has broken...

Morning has broken...
Originally uploaded by DanSolo.

I finished shift at about 5.30 and am currently sitting with Dogsbody munching. It's starting to hurt now but everyone is still giving it their best.

There's been a few converstions today about wives/girlfriends and families back home and I know I've been missing Mrs and baby Solo so I just want to say thanks to all the skate widows that support us, put up with our going away on events and are totally brill!

End of shift 2

End of shift 2
Originally uploaded by DanSolo.

It's much easier skating when the sun is down! The photo is the view down the pit lane as I'm leaving trackside. Lemming has just started off another lap and will be taking the baton from Evans.

It's been tiring today but great fun and I'm looking forward to a few hours kip before my 03:00. Best time today was a stonking 7.28 from Lemming which neither Freeman nor myself were expecting!

We're on the board!

We're on the board!
Originally uploaded by DanSolo.

Not sure if you can see this but we're on the leaderboard! 253rd I think!

View of the pit lane

View of the pit lane
Originally uploaded by DanSolo.

I've just finished my 1st shift. So far only my lower back has been hurting - prob due to getting lower down like you're supposed to!

Were about 226 in a field of over 500 which ain't bad going!

And they're off!

And they're off!
Originally uploaded by DanSolo.

Freeman has just started the first lap of Le Mans 2006! There's thousand of people here and the atmosphere is terrific! We've crowbarred ourselves into the pits and are just getting padded up ready to go.

Hanging around waiting for the practice lap

Hanging around waiting for the practice lap
Originally uploaded by DanSolo.

We're just chilin' waiting for the 'compulsory' street skate to return so we can do a lap to scope the course.

In skating from the camp to the pit gate I'm sweating loads! It's gonna be hot out there!

Freeman does the qualifying sprint

Freeman does the qualifying sprint
Originally uploaded by DanSolo.

This is Freeman winning the sprint event. He was going so fast I almost missed the shot! Good job, Freeman. Let's hope this puts us in good stead for the main event.

Camberley Skaters 10th team member!

Camberley Skaters 10th team member!
Originally uploaded by DanSolo.

Hi,it's Chuckle Bunny (official Cskate mascot) here!

My mum (Red) had a nasty fall on the WNS in the week and is in hospital in London with a broken finger (get well soon from everyone in Le Mans!). Wing Commander Dogsbody said I could take her place in the race so I've got my course band, team number and the baton (looks a bit like a piece of pipe lagging to me!?!) so I'm ready to go!

Welcome to camp Cskate!

Welcome to camp Cskate!
Originally uploaded by DanSolo.

18:15 local time and we're in and pitched. Must remember to bring titanium tent pegs next year as the ground was solid! We're bbqing later and will prob be getting to sleep early seeing as we started at about 3:00 but with the Londonskate lot next door that might not be so early!

I think I'll sleep in tomorrow as we don't have anything to do until 11:00 ('compulsory' street skate).

The shift rota looks like I'm on at 16:00, 21:30, 03:00, 09:00 and 14:30! I may be tired on Sunday evening!

We've arrived!

We've arrived!
Originally uploaded by DanSolo.

And just look at the queue for the campsite! The 'how long until we get in?' sweepstake is null and void seeing as the site doesn't open until 16:00!

Still, journey was fun with the radios in the cars - even if we did learn of a secret wish from someone to wash a car with Marge Simpson (absorbent hair, see?)!

'Looks like we got ourselves Convoy!'

'Looks like we got ourselves Convoy!'
Originally uploaded by DanSolo.

Touched down in France safe and sound. Only 1 wrong turn since leaving the ferry but there's plenty of time to get lost between Caen and Le Mans! Wing Commander Dogsbody is obeying French speed restrictions and not travelling at the usual Mach 3.

Guess we'll get to the camp and then forage for lunch.

lunch

lunch
Originally uploaded by DanSolo.

We've just stopped for a bite enroute to Le Mans. Freeman did a sterling job of ordering ham and cheese sandwhiches for everyone then told us that's all he knows how to order in French! Guess that's what we're eating for the next 3 days!

We're on the Sea Cat!

Just settled into the bolted down seats on the boat. Freeman is banned from using the radios after commentating on going to the loo! Should be in Caen at 11:45 French time.

We made it to Portsmouth!

We made it to Portsmouth!
Originally uploaded by DanSolo.

It's far too early o'clock and we're all at Portsmouth. Everyone seems really cheery at the mo and we're just sorting out packs for the cars. 2 walkie talkies per car!

Final preparations

Final preparations
Originally uploaded by DanSolo.

Mrs Solo making the final adjustments to my lid to keep the sun off the back of my neck. She's really supportive of my skating and I love her to bits for it!

Seeing as Drakey is picking me up in 6 hours we're off to bed. I'm not looking forward to being awake at 4:00 at all!

At work and counting the hours...

At work and counting the hours...
Originally uploaded by deusx2.

Finally got my phone to post straight to blog via GPRS! Thanks to Martin for all his help. Will post a link on cskate and hopefully send regular updates over the weekend.

I've actually done some packing!

Seeing as Mrs Solo is currently off with the car and that has all my skates and bags in the back I can't pack the important stuff (!) so I've made a start on Dan Dogsbody's list which can be viewed here.

...and here's the evidence!!

The Start of the danskate.com Skate Blog

It's 2 days until the o-my-God o'clock start for the trip to the Le Mans 24 Hour Roller event and instead of packing I'm working out how to use this blog site! Will start to pack and post again when it all gets too much!

BTW if you don't know what the Le Mans 24 Hour Roller event is look here.