Hi Everyone,
I was in Cornwall last week, seeing my wonderful Nan and going over a few of the route options for the final day of the cycle ride. It was fantastic to see my Nan, who I haven't been able to see since Christmas. She might be a little concerned as to the madness that will descend onto her as this cycle journey reaches her in just over 2 months time, but I've told her that it's all under control. I don't know if she believed me or not!
Because I was down there, I decided to have a look at the route for the final day. Most of the way we will be following a national cycle route, but I have to work out how to get from that route over to where my Nan lives, in a sleepy little village called St Day.
The thing about Cornish roads is that they never seem to go where you want them to, sure the main A roads might do, but that doesn't always make for the most interesting or fun of rides. My main problem is that I will never be able to convince the rest of the team that it'll be more fun going on the smaller roads which snake across the countryside rather than the direct A road for as far as possible. To be honest, I say the rest of the team, I might have a job convincing my legs that it's a good idea too!
I have managed to reach a happy compromise, and I hope to post the details of the whole route very soon.
The date of the ride is creeping ever closer, and being down in Cornwall, seeing where we will be cycling has made it all the more real. The couple of hills that I ran up during my early morning run however, have made it all the more daunting.
www.justgiving.com/justgottarideit
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
Saturday, 14 May 2011
Here Comes A New Challenger!
Hi Guys,
Great news! We have a new member of our riding team.
Richard Bushnell has been my friend forever, since the days of wearing little grey tracksuits and attending our local Beavers (do whatever you like with that statement!). He is an inspirational person and I am so happy that he is joining our team.
Richard and I know each other inside out. Together we have climbed mountains, kayaked over white water rapids, walked 50 miles in under 24 hours and abseiled down the White Cliffs of Dover.
The problem is that all of those things happened in the 90's - so this new challenge for the both of us has been a very long time in coming around.
In 2000, Richard had a very serious ski-ing accident and after waking from a coma was told that he would probably never walk again. I am sure he wont mind me telling you that he pretty much told the "expert" doctors where to go, and from that moment it was his mission to prove them wrong. He was in a very bad way, but they didn't know him like I know him. The rest of the story is really his to tell you, and to be honest I could never do it justice. All I can say is that Richard is an inspiration. His life has moved on from the accident in a way that is beyond a miracle. He is super fit, super healthy and will destroy all of us with his drive and desire to get to Cornwall first.
From my point of view, Richard joining our team has a huge significance. We have always been a strong team, especially when the going gets tough, and this challenge is going to be really tough. Knowing that Richard will be there has bought Watergate Bay a whole lot closer.
Welcome to the team buddy!
www.justgiving.com/justgottarideit
Great news! We have a new member of our riding team.
Richard Bushnell has been my friend forever, since the days of wearing little grey tracksuits and attending our local Beavers (do whatever you like with that statement!). He is an inspirational person and I am so happy that he is joining our team.
Richard and I know each other inside out. Together we have climbed mountains, kayaked over white water rapids, walked 50 miles in under 24 hours and abseiled down the White Cliffs of Dover.
The problem is that all of those things happened in the 90's - so this new challenge for the both of us has been a very long time in coming around.
In 2000, Richard had a very serious ski-ing accident and after waking from a coma was told that he would probably never walk again. I am sure he wont mind me telling you that he pretty much told the "expert" doctors where to go, and from that moment it was his mission to prove them wrong. He was in a very bad way, but they didn't know him like I know him. The rest of the story is really his to tell you, and to be honest I could never do it justice. All I can say is that Richard is an inspiration. His life has moved on from the accident in a way that is beyond a miracle. He is super fit, super healthy and will destroy all of us with his drive and desire to get to Cornwall first.
From my point of view, Richard joining our team has a huge significance. We have always been a strong team, especially when the going gets tough, and this challenge is going to be really tough. Knowing that Richard will be there has bought Watergate Bay a whole lot closer.
Welcome to the team buddy!
www.justgiving.com/justgottarideit
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
Breathless and Wheezy - Training Update
Hi Guys,
Apologies for taking a little while to add this new post, I haven't been too well over the last week.
The Easter Bunny didn't bring me an Easter Egg this year, instead I got a nasty cough and a chest infection.
As a consequence, I haven't been able to train, as any use of my lungs has left me breathless and wheezing. I was described last Monday as a shadow of my former self. I am on the mend now, and will be back out on the road very soon.
It's not all been bad news though, as I have been able to spend more time in planning the logistics of our ride. I have been breaking the journey down into stages and have been looking for accommodation in places at the end of each day. Anyone who owns a house along the route, which I will post once it's finalised, and doesn't mind our little team staying with them please give me a shout!
I have also been in contact with our charity The British Heart Foundation, who have been amazing with their help and support. I am expecting to have some sponsorship forms, posters and collection boxes sent to me sometime in the next couple of weeks.
I am also contacting various companies who might want to help us or sponsor us, so again, if you are involved in that world and can possibly help us then please let me know. I have so send a personal thankyou to the wonderful Tony White for his superb suggestion, cheers buddy!
Thanks again to everyone for all of your support, It really helps to know that so many people are behind us.
Keep donating on the justgiving page, we could make a huge difference with this.
http://www.justgiving.com/justgottarideit
Apologies for taking a little while to add this new post, I haven't been too well over the last week.
The Easter Bunny didn't bring me an Easter Egg this year, instead I got a nasty cough and a chest infection.
As a consequence, I haven't been able to train, as any use of my lungs has left me breathless and wheezing. I was described last Monday as a shadow of my former self. I am on the mend now, and will be back out on the road very soon.
It's not all been bad news though, as I have been able to spend more time in planning the logistics of our ride. I have been breaking the journey down into stages and have been looking for accommodation in places at the end of each day. Anyone who owns a house along the route, which I will post once it's finalised, and doesn't mind our little team staying with them please give me a shout!
I have also been in contact with our charity The British Heart Foundation, who have been amazing with their help and support. I am expecting to have some sponsorship forms, posters and collection boxes sent to me sometime in the next couple of weeks.
I am also contacting various companies who might want to help us or sponsor us, so again, if you are involved in that world and can possibly help us then please let me know. I have so send a personal thankyou to the wonderful Tony White for his superb suggestion, cheers buddy!
Thanks again to everyone for all of your support, It really helps to know that so many people are behind us.
Keep donating on the justgiving page, we could make a huge difference with this.
http://www.justgiving.com/justgottarideit
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