Thank You - The Final Post

Hi Guys.

It's been 1 week since we got back from the cycle ride, a week that has given me a chance to take in just how big an achievement it was. I had the best week of my life, and we raised a whole load of money for a charity very close to my heart. It looks like we will raise £1500 once all the sponsorship is in, and I cannot thank everyone enough for their kind donations. Times are tough at the moment, with the economic climate the way it is, and so to have made anywhere near the amount we have is an incredible feat. Thankyou all so very much.

This cycle ride was my idea, but I have so many people to thank in helping that idea become a reality.

The first person I need to mention is my incredible fiance Esther. I've driven her mad over the last year talking constantly about cycling when I should have been helping with the organisation of our Wedding. She has been so patient with me and never had a problem with the constant training, route planning and blogging. I can't imagine how annoying I must have been to live with, and how much the cycle ride has taken over everything in the last few months as everything became closer to happening. Esther has been so understanding and I am so lucky to have her. It's 2 weeks until the wedding and I have a massive list of jobs to do, but I know it'll all come together and we will have such a special day. I love you with all my heart, and thankyou for letting me do this. You are amazing.

I wrote an entire blog post dedicated to Norman Pitcher early on which tells you everything you need to know about him. Over the past few months he has given me so much advice and support. Without this knowledge we probably wouldn't have made it. Norman has so much experience and his annual 100 mile Reading to Poole cycle ride was a huge inspiration in the thinking up of this ride. I'm looking forward to doing Norm's ride next year with him.

At the start of the year I was riding a slow, heavy mountain bike to train on and was constantly being told that I needed a road bike, something that I didn't think I would be able to get past Esther! I have to say a huge thanks to Tim for suggesting I look at finding a Boardman. I was lucky to find one that had never been ridden, on ebay. The spec of my bike is brilliant for what I paid for it, and after pimping it out with a brilliant saddle, some clipless pedals and a new set of tyres it is the best thing I have ever bought. It was the only bike to make the journey to Cornwall without any problems and I love it. The colours of it even match my Livestrong clothing . . . . . . which is of course what it's all about!

My cousin Scott designed us some T-shirts to wear with a brilliant logo on for us. We attracted some attention each evening and they also helped in getting us some extra sponsorship along the way. I love them and am so grateful to him for doing them for us. Our support team had them on each day and it made us feel like a proper cycling team with an identity. Professionalism is something that was important in the way we were doing things and the T-shirts really helped with that. Scott's website is www.hairyhand.co.uk please check it out and give him a shout if you ever need anything designed. He also has some other T-shirts on there. He is superb and I'm so happy that he was a part of this.

My future sister-in-law Sally helped get us through the tough times everyday after sorting us out a big discount on some energy gels from the Snow and Rock/Cycle Surgery store that she manages. Instant energy was needed by all of us at some stage and the fact that we had these gels was vital. I wouldn't recommend them as a taste sensation, but they do the job! Thanks Sally X

Esther's brother Chris was supposed to be on the ride but had to pull out due to conflicting diary problems. We missed you, but I am so grateful for the advice and help you gave me. I know you and Lynda will be fantastic parents and am so lucky to be getting you as a brother-in-law.

Janet and Allan Bushnell are Richard's parents. The route for Day 1 was a tricky task and was one that they were very much involved with. Janet, Allan and Richard came up with a route that was excellent. It took alot of pressure off of me and seeing as Richard spent the majority of the ride as the lead cyclist, it made sense that he might have a clue where he was going! (It didn't always help him, but did a little!)

David Anderson is a legend. Not only was he the best training partner I could ever have asked for, he also discovered the genius feature on mapmyride.com that gave me a 3D flyover of the route for each day, as well as the all important elevation graphs. I was out training with David a couple of times a week and even though he wasn't able to do the ride to Cornwall due to work commitments, he was still a huge part of the team. I loved training with Dave, and can't wait to get back out there with him again in the next week or so getting him ready to join us for the ride in 2012.

Both of my Nan's had to deal with the madness of our ride descending on their houses. It was obviously alot to deal with, but both of them were so happy for us to have been there. They were both so important in the whole journey, and with the charity The British Heart Foundation too. My Grandpa, Mum and sister Leigh along with Esther helped make the start a very special occasion. Knowing you have the support of the people you love the most is something that helps you in a way that I can't quite describe. I was feeling that support all the way along the route, and without it I would have found it so much tougher.

That support also came from everyone who had read this blog and sponsored us. We made alot of money during the ride itself, and it was an enormous boost everytime we would see the total on the justgiving page increase. Thankyou so much to each and everyone of you who helped push us on, knowing you were thinking of us. All the goodwill messages we got were incredible and added to our motivation. This was by no means an easy thing we were doing and we can't ever thank you all enough for keeping us going.

Our support team of my Dad and Esther's Dad were different class. I just don't think I will be able to write down how grateful I am to both of them for what they did and the way they did it.
Barry flew over from his house in the south of France to drive a clunky old van for us. Barry is brilliant and it was amazing how excited we would all get every time he drove past us. Thanks for everything Barry, you are a superstar, and after riding the spare bike across the car park on day 3, I think we might have to put you in the riding team for 2012!
I couldn't even begin to tell you all how much my Dad loved being part of the team. He was in his element. He did so much beforehand, route planning, printing out all the maps, finding our place to stay on night 1, organising for us to have the van from his work as our support vehicle and coming to Brighton on our last training ride. On the ride itself he was everywhere, leading us through difficult places to navigate, pointing us in the right direction and also being our official photographer providing all the brilliant images that were put on the blog each night.
We couldn't have made it to Cornwall without either of them, I loved having you both as part of our team and am eternally grateful for everything you did along the way.

Lastly, I have to thank the lads, Ade, Richard and Carlos. Wow!, What you all did was incredible, giving up a week of your lives to come on my crazy bike ride. Let alone the training. We all worked so well as a team, helped each other through and had so much fun along the way. I love you all so much and am so happy that you were all able to be there with me at the end. This was my labour of love, but you all took it on, got involved and made it into something so much more than that. This will be something that we will all talk about forever and something that will always unite us. Our little world was a special place for that week and we found out so much about each other. What a ride, what a team and what an achievement.
Bad Boys for life.

Bring on 2012 - it's going to be epic!

www.justgiving.com/justgottarideit

It all ends - Tintagel to St.Day

Hi Guys,

After a brutal 75 mile day on day 4, through the endless rolling hills of Devon and into Cornwall we woke up in the spectacular setting of Tintagel Youth Hostel, right on the rocky coastline of Northern Cornwall.

Carlos and I cooked breakfast, with a little help from Ade on toast duty before we loaded up the van. The road surface meant that along with our bags, we also loaded our bikes and ourselves in the back of the van to make the trip up the road to where we had finished the previous day. Holding on for dear life we were thrown about in the back while Barry (who I'm sure was doing it on purpose!) bounced the van along the coastal path.

The terrain was still very much up and down and we were hit with a really steep hill very early on. We all just about managed to change gear quickly enough! The previous day had contained the funniest moment of the ride, when immediately after flying down a huge step hill we were confronted with a near vertical climb (well it seemed it! - the sign said 25%) Richard collapsed off his bike shouting "too high gear, too high gear", Ade swerved him, only to have the same problem and collapsed in hysterical laughter just past Richard. Somehow, and I have no idea how, but my gears managed to change in time. I was then faced with a balance issue as I was too in hysterical laughter. Carlos also managed to change gear just in time, lucky he had that brand new derailleur really! We all managed to get to the top, and I really can't quite do the hill justice as to how high and steep it was. The next time you go to Cornwall, take the B3227 through Devon and you'll see what I mean!
We headed upwards and inland before swinging out towards the coast again for my little indulgence of the day. I love Watergate Bay, it's such a beautiful place, filled with energy and vibrance, from both the natural landscape and also the people who visit there. It also is the home of my favourite restaurant in the world, Fifteen Cornwall. We were going to head down into Mawgan Porth, which is the bay just above Watergate Bay, climb up the steep hill out and then have the descent into Watergate Bay before having the steep climb out of there too.
I feared mutiny, but the sun was finally out and we had just stopped for lunch, so everyone seemed up for the challenge. It was a brilliant feeling and a spectacular view. I had hung back from the front 2 and just had the moment to myself. Carlos was miles back as usual! At the top of Watergate Bay I began to think about the enormity of what we were doing, why I was doing it, and who I was doing it for. I began to get a little emotional. I was determined to keep a lid on it though, as we still had another 18 miles to go.

We rode into Newquay knowing that we would pass the 300 mile mark on the other side, before we did that though came a moment of cycle rage. Newquay was full of traffic and we were all doing our best to get past the cars by scooting along between them and the curb. This was going pretty well before I met an arrogant moron of a bus driver who just wanted to squash me. He could see me, and pointed out so by opening his doors to yell some abuse at me. I squeezed past him and gave him the stare that I give idiot motorists, he then decided to drive his bus at me again, at which point I punched the side of his bus and yelled out what I though of him at the top of my voice. I apologise to everyone in Newquay who heard what I called him, it was a combination of how stupid a bus driver he was, and also the emotion of nearing the end of our journey that had completely taken me over.

I struggled with the emotion all the way down to the point where Richard gave me the lead about 4 miles away from my Nan's. He then decided he wanted it back (he really doesn't like anyone in front of him!) but I wasn't going to have any of it. This was mine, and I essentially raced him all the way to the edge of St.Day where we pulled into a line to finish together. Halfway down my Nan's road, they told me to go first. I saw my Nan and all the emotion came back but this time there was no holding it back. As I hugged my Nan I just started to cry, I was in pieces.
I sat down on the grass and tried to pull myself back together. It took what seemed like an age, eventually I was able to hug the rest of the guys and tell them how amazing they all were.
I have never felt anything quite like that before, it had been a year of my life in planning and training and suddenly it was over. Physically I was fine, mentally I was gone.

I have lived and breathed this cycle ride for the last 12 months, what started as a crazy idea turned into probably the best week of my life. I have so many people to thank and I think I'll have to do that in another blog post.

For now, I have a huge thankyou to say to each and every one of you who have been reading this blog.

I hope you've enjoyed reading, it's been brilliant to do and is something I will look back on in many years to come.

www.justgiving.com/justgottarideit

Day 4 Pictures - Bampton to Tintagel

Hi Guys,

As you probably all know, we finished the ride yesterday! Thankyou so much for all the congratulations we received by text, phone and facebook. It was an incredible week, and I have so much to write about and tell you all.

As predicted, we lost reception and all contact with the outside world once we hit the spectacular Cornish coastline at Tintagel, which forced me to stop writing the blog. Last night was our celebration meal out, so I didn't get the chance then either. I am going to write a big post tomorrow, but in the meantime thought I would share some pictures from the epic day that was Friday, the hardest days cycling I have ever done.

I hope you like them, speak to you tomorrow!

Day 3 - Bath to Bampton

Hi Guys,

Yesterday was pretty simple, today was a different story!

We went through 3 county's today, which is a massive achievement. The problem was that we had to do it battling the elements. After 2 pretty perfect days weather wise, we woke up this morning with the rain pouring down. Knowing that you have to start a day going up a steep hill, in the pouring rain, before 9am is not the best way to begin your day, let me tell you! The rain came in spurts, but when it did it was horrible, and there is nothing you can do when it does come, apart from get wet and uncomfortable.

The rain was one thing, but the wind was something else. I cannot begin to describe some of the headwinds today, all I can say is that we have some strained, tired and aching shoulders after battling through it.

We then come to the biggest story of the day, which was Carlos's bike. The short story is that the rear derailleur became mangled and twisted onto itself and we were forced into finding a bike shop who could repair it. I've included a picture of the state it was in below and trust me, it isn't supposed to look like that!

Tomorrow is our toughest day, and so we are off for an early night, but here are a few pictures from today.

Hopefully I'll be back online tomorrow night to let you all know that we made it, but Cornish phone reception might have other ideas!
Keep sponsoring us, we'll need the encouragement tomorrow www.justgiving.com/justgottarideit

A Few Pictures From Yesterday

www.justgiving.com/justgottarideit 

Day 2 - Newbury to Bath

Hi Guys,

Working well as a team, having no problems at all . . . . . . this isn't the blog post I expected to write today, but am really glad that I am!

We had the biggest hill of the whole journey to negotiate today, on the approach to Bath . . . . and we nailed it!

This is more fun than I can explain, and the continueed support is amazing. Keep up the sponsorship and I'll speak to you tomorrow.

www.justgiving.com/justgottarideit

Day 1 - London to Newbury

Wow!

It's the end of our first day. This feels a little bit like a dream at the moment, after all the planning and anticipation, but gradually it's sinking in that we are actually on our way to Cornwall.

I'm not going to write a long blog tonight as I need to get some decent sleep to be honest, but I thought I would quickly upload a few pictures from our first day.

Richard got 2 punctures today, Ade's seat clamp broke and we had to keep dragging the support car away from the pub to help, but all in all it was a success, with only a few minor teething problems. 

We cycle from Newbury to Bath tomorrow. which is our easiest day, but has our toughest hill at the end. Bring it on!

www.justgiving.com/justgottarideit

The Last Post Before The Ride - It's The One About My Nan

Hi Guys,

Welcome to the final post before we set off Tomorrow, I thought it would be fitting to conclude by telling you all about probably the most important person in the whole journey.

My Nan is a superstar. She has spent the whole of her life looking after everyone. She is one of the warmest and lovliest people you could ever wish to meet, and I have been so lucky to have her as my Nan.

6 years ago however, she started to suffer heart palpitations, and a shortness of breath for no reason at all. She was admitted to Hospital and we were told that she was suffering from a condition called Atrial Fibrillation. What this means is that your heart rate is irregular. I think of it as a drummer playing a normal beat, keeping the song in time, but then suddenly throwing in a crazy rhythm and then stopping for a minute or two, before playing another completely different rhythm. That isn't going to make the song sound any good, and certainly isn't going to help the rest of the band. I realise that is probably a stupid way of looking at it, but sometimes it helps me to think of things in a more trivial kind of way.

Anyway, she wasn't in a very good state, and none of the medication they were giving her was working for any length of time. Her heart just didn't want to play. It was decided that she should be fitted with a pacemaker, to keep her heart beating at a controlled rate (almost like a drum machine - OK I'll stop with that one now!). She was taken to Kings College Hospital and had the operation, only to be told that it had been unsuccessful. I don't really know how to describe what it feels like to know that your Nan is undergoing major heart surgery and then find out that she needs to have it again, all in the same small period of time. Thankfully though the second operation was a success. She then went through a long period of constant tests and tweaks to regulate her new heart at a comfortable rate and to make sure the medication she was now being given was right too. These tests have continued over the past 6 years, but less frequently once they had everything as they wanted it.

I am so grateful to everyone who helped keep my Nan alive. Irregular heartbeat can easily lead to heart attacks. My Nan's heart rate would skyrocket, and there is obviously only a certain amount of time that anyone will be able to cope with that before your heart says that enough is enough. I can't ever thank those people enough, but by raising money and helping raise awareness of what they do and how incredible an impact that has on both my life and millions of other people's lives is a good start.
Without charities like the British Heart Foundation, research into techniques and technology able to save my Nan's life wouldn't exist in the form that they do now.

My Nan is the start of this journey for me, it was her going into Hospital 6 years ago that sparked a fire inside me that has led me to this point. I set off tomorrow from her house, after giving her a massive hug, with 3 of the most incredible people in the world. I am both daunted and excited.

I hope to be able to keep you all up to date with our progress each night. Fingers crossed we have enough reception!

See you all in Cornwall, and remember to wave at us if you see us.

Lots of Love x

www.justgiving.com/justgottarideit

London to Brighton - Training Ends In Style

Hi Guys,

With 1 week to go to the start of our ride to Cornwall, the time had come to hit a proper landmark and finish our training in style. Sunday was the perfect opportunity for us to get together as a team (for the very first time) and tackle the famous London to Brighton cycle route.

As with many things over the past few months, things didn't go to plan. Carlos didn't manage to get hold of the bike he will be riding and so wasn't able to join us. Now is probably the time to mention that Carlos hasn't actually ridden a bike since he was a kid. He has done a load of spinning in his gym, and don't get me wrong, he has the fitness, it is just going to come as a shock to him when he is out of his air conditioned room and in the real world on a bike without the aid of a Saturday's video on MTV to stare at. It's going to be interesting to see how he deals with that!

Anyway, the remaining 3 of us headed off to Brighton, from Clapham Common on Sunday morning. Usually at this point in one of my previous blog posts I have a tale of struggle, jeopardy and puncture problems to tell. This time however it was a simple and straight forward ride, over easy terrain, and an easy route to follow.

Ade had done the route before, and had some unfinished business with the daunting hill Ditchling Beacon, a few miles outside of Brighton. On his previous attempt he was forced to walk the final third of hill, although he was on a single gear bike, and to be fair he must have done an incredible job to get to where he did that time. This time however, it was a totally different story. The three of us nailed the hill!

The only issue that we had in fact was that behind us on the hill were a collection of idiots in their cars. I really think that there should be a personality test to go alongside the practical and theory test parts of a driving test. That way, if you are a total moron, you wont get to drive. That would eliminate the kind of stupidity that was happening behind us as we cycled up Ditchling Beacon. 

I'm not going to dwell on this too much as I've had enough of a rant in the past about bad drivers, special mentions however should go out to the Subaru weaving and overtaking everything, including other cars at some crazy speed (we are talking about a narrow, winding and steep country lane) and also the fat balding middle aged man in the creamy-goldish coloured convertible who decided to shout abuse at us as he cut us up, this was after a good few minutes of incessant beeping on his horn. I wish he had stopped at the car park at the top, as I had some opinions of my own to pass on to him . . . . . what an idiot!

We cruised into Brighton at 1:40pm, satisfied with what we had done, how we had worked as a team and filled with excitement for the adventure that awaits us next week.

We are on our final push for sponsorship, so please visit www.justgiving.com/justgottarideit or text RIDE76 to 70070 to donate £5. We are so grateful to everyone who has sponsored us so far, we will do you all proud, and it's your support that will help to keep us going through the tough times that lay ahead for us.

I've got one last post to write before we go, so thanks for reading everything so far. I have loved this experience and hope that you have been kept entertained too. Speak to you soon.

Inspiration: My Grandfather

This journey ends at my Nan's house in St. Day, Cornwall for a very special reason. it holds great significance to the work of the charity we are raising money for.

My Nan was married to a brilliant man. William Randall was the life and soul of my family, and I wish I had been able to meet him. He died before I was born after suffering a heart attack. As I mentioned in my last post, The British Heart Foundation was set up to help fund research and schemes to keep more people alive who suffer major heart and circulation problems, keeping families together for longer.

My Nan used to live about 20 minutes away from my other Grandparents, but she moved down to Cornwall in 1997. Had she not have moved, this would be the easiest cycle ride in the world! Amongst other things, being in Cornwall holds many special memories for my Nan. Memories of family holidays with my Grandfather. It is also my favourite place in the world, and alot of the reason for that probably stems from the affection that both my Nan and my Dad have for those times they all spent in Cornwall. I love hearing all the old stories and looking through all the pictures of those holidays.

I may never have met my Grandfather, but he is still a big part of who I am, and who I am inspired to be.
I know he'll be watching over us on our journey, and i'll be thinking of him too.