We are 78% there in meeting our donations target! http://www.justgiving.com/CJ-goes-mobile/ Thanks to Simon T, Dave Thompson, Dominic Butterell for their generosity. Also a MASSIVE thank you to Submission Technology who donated a whopping £500!

Monday’s report – in Jason’s words

• Liverpool – Manchester
• Manchester – Sheffield
• Distance – Approx 81 miles (91 miles including the wrong turn)

Day one got off to an interesting start as my support team was in tatters. Wife (Helen) had food poisoning and child (Eve Rose) had a rough night so we didn’t set off until 10-ish.

The cycle to Manchester was actually a rather pleasant journey. Flat as a pancake and pretty much one straight road.

I arrived at around 1pm and had a catch up with the MVi crew. We were going to have lunch but apparently the prospect of sitting in a restaurant with me after a 40 mile cycle was not that appealing! (Although they were brave enough to get close to me in order to take this rather grainy photo!)

Editor – I now hand you over to Jason’s interview of the MVi team:

Can you introduce your team?

Nicola Marsh – Head of Affiliates: I have been with MediaVest for over six years and in affiliate marketing for over four. Over the last four years some would say that I have matured alongside the industry I am in. Gone are the late nights and copious amounts of alcohol (almost). Instead I spend my spare time relaxing with my horse

Sean Carter (aka Jay Z) – Senior Affiliate Manager: Sean has been with us for over three years and has worked in affiliate marketing for over five. In his spare time Sean is a real life Bruce Lee and can often be seen demonstrating his moves around the office!

Peter Metcalf: Peter has been with us for just two short months and has already made a big impression within the department, mainly due to his constant singing (JLS being one of his current favourites). Peter comes from a sales background which is an ideal preparation for managing his affiliate campaigns. In his spare time Peter likes to take advantage of the many 2 for 1 offers available at local restaurants – but he isn’t a cheapskate!

What is it like working for your company?

MediaVest is a great company to work for and I often feel privileged to be working alongside the people I do. The hours are sometimes long and the clients are sometimes challenging but the office banter more than makes up for it!

How does your affiliate offering differ from other agencies?

MVi has had a dedicated affiliate team for over five years and were one of the first agencies to recognise the fact that a specialist skill set was required for good affiliate management. MVi has continued to be very hands-on in their approach to affiliate management and has continued to deliver a first class service to all of their clients regardless of size!

If you could cycle to anywhere in the world, where would it be?

• Nicola – Thailand
• Sean – Egypt
• Peter – Agentina

If you didn’t work in affiliate marketing what would you do?

• Nicola – I would be a life coach or run my own livery yard
• Sean – I would be a personal trainer or a cage fighter
• Peter – I would own my own record label

Thanks guys for putting up with a sweaty Jason. Now back to him for the rest of his day.

The second leg was quite different from the first. It started well with the trip out of Manchester (half of whom think I am mad as I went round ask directions for a non-motorway route to Sheffield) but then the next three hours really hurt.

I cycled through the Peak District across ‘Snake Pass’ which was very scenic indeed. When I got to the summit and started the descent it was great ….great except that I enjoyed the 45mph hill so much that I missed my turn completely and added 10 miles to my journey. This did my morale no good at all.

I finally arrived at around 6pm heading straight to my room for a hot bath and then some grub. Thankfully the Quidco guys were understanding enough to move our evening meeting to a breakfast meeting instead! I slept very well indeed.

Well done Jase – keep cycling old man.