Our Charity

Our Charity

Sunday 27 February 2011

Waiting

It now seems that we have broken the back of the planning stage for the ride in July and we are now waiting for the day we start to come around.

We have most of the overnight stays sorted for free. These are with lots of different places. Quite a few are at Fire Stations, some are in Church Halls and a couple are even in decent hotels. We have managed so far to get all these stays for free which is something that I never thought would be possible when we started the ball rolling back in September last year. I don't think any of us would have bothered if we knew just how much work it would take!

We have also managed to secure lots of support and sponsorship money from local businesses in the local area, and some not so local (thanks Dad). Without this money we wouldn't be able to even think about starting the ride due to the large costs of support vehicles, food and the big one, fuel. So I must say thanks to all the people who have taken the time and given money to us. We owe you a great debt.

I have even managed to design the Team shirt, after many reworks this is now with being OK'd by the manufacturer and hopefully it won't be long until we will be wearing these on our training runs. (Though I was told today that one member of the Team wouldn't wear it as it was in Blues colours. I guess you can't please everyone.)

The sheer enormity of actually pedaling 1000 miles is now starting to hit home with everyone, well everyone except Keith who could cycle to the moon and back in one day. We have to consistently cycle for 80 ish miles everyday for 12 days. It's going to be very hard and I for one am struggling to do enough training to feel confident. There just aren't enough fair weather hours in the day at the moment and even if there were then I still don't know if I could fit it all in.

"Keith, come back!"

The four riders still haven't ridden together yet, Daddy Davies still hasn't stopped falling off his bike yet! So with this in mind we are all getting together on Thursday for a quick 65 mile run to Malvern and back. (Speaking of backs, John did his in on the last Malvern ride)
There is competition between myself, Dave and Paul to not be the last back, so watch this space!!!

Friday 25 February 2011

Ride to Malvern

Dave, Keith and I, thought we would stretch our legs with a little ride to Malvern. 'Only 60 miles round trip', proclaims Keith. Only indeed....!
We set off From Dave's abode shortly after 9am heading towards Stourbridge. Dave in the lead, with Keith bringing up the rear. We breezed past Stourbridge and were soon on top of the M5. Our route would take us through Bromsgrove and Droitwich, chasing the A38 through Worcester, to Dave's caravan just short of Malvern. It was incredibly tempting to turn right onto the M5 making a more direct route, however, I'm sure the motorway police would be none too impressed (especially that Scottish copper in that lorry from the telly!)

Dave's House

The first few miles were a bit of a grind, shaking off the 'rust' and getting my muscles up to temperature. But after that, automatic pilot clicked on and, and it was down to the odd short steep incline to remind us that we were still on bikes! I say us, I don't think Keith even knew he was on a bike! The guy is a machine! He was like a magnet, no more than two feet behind us at any time! He hadn't broken out in a sweat, I don't even think he was out of breath! Now for those of you who don't know Keith, this guy is in his early 50s, so to be bombing up and down the many hills of Worcestershire at the pace he was going at, was truly astonishing!
Keith never would give up the cycling!

A little over two hours saw us at our destination. The only time we really stopped, was for what seemed like the 100s of traffic lights we kept getting caught at! Dave's caravan is currently in storage (and is for sale if anyone is interested, 5 berth, 6 years old with outside toilet!!) so there was no hot lunch waiting for us. Dave had smuggled some tea bags and little milk cartons amongst his person, and a hot cuppa was soon being enjoyed. This is where the most difficult part of the journey hit us; trying to work out how the self timer on Keith's camera worked. The three of us must have been scratching our heads for 10 minutes trying to work the blooming thing out. We finally got there in the end after a few snaps of the ground and a passing pigeon we had success. Hopefully a couple of photos of us lined up in the drizzle by the caravan will soon be posted!

After an hours rest or so, the dreaded return journey began, and within seconds we were hit with another steep incline. I immediately began thinking that there was no way of me making it back home, my legs were already stinging. Fortunately the summit was soon reached and I had a nice long down hill giving me chance to recover. from there I was back in my stride, and in no time at all we had skipped past Worcester and nearly through Droitwich. It was then that Dave and Keith started to pull away a little. The cycle fitness and the many miles in the saddle that they have over me was beggining to show. I began to get caught at traffic lights that the other two sailed through. But they never left me. Both of them regularly looking over their shoulders checking on my progress.

"I can see your bald patch Old Boy".
On the outbound journey we had a lovely mile and a half of nicely surfaced tarmac. However, it was not until I reached the same stretch coming back that I realised that this flat road actually hid a sneaky incline with the opposite carriageway been ridiculously bumpy. This road never seemed to end and even Dave, a seasoned cyclist found it tough. I was cooked. Dave and Keith waited for me yet again. This time by a sign indicating Stourbridge being 10 miles away, which meant 12 miles to the sanctuary of Dave's house and my car. From nowhere, Keith produced an Apple Nutrigrain, and after resting up for a few minutes, I felt like a new man- well, until the next hill came along anyway! We bimbled on towards Stourbridge, with Keith once again taking the lead. I was doing around 14mph at this point and Keith was still having to wait for us. I still can't comprehend the energy, never mind the patience, he must have. For a 28 year old being carried all that way by two blokes hanging just the either side of their 50s, was a humbling experience. We zipped around the grand prix circuit known as Stourbridge ring road and 10 minutes later I was lying down on Dave's driveway. In all, we covered just over 62 miles. That is still 15 miles short of the daily average on the big event. I am so glad I will be driving the support vehicle. I do not envy any of the riders who are taking on the End2End challenge. But for those of you who are, take this as a warning; you need to train, train and train some more. Don't underestimate the enormity of this event, it will test you to your limit and beyond! Except, of course for Keith, who will most likely stumble out of bed on the first day and reach the John O Groat's finish line before breakfast!!
Posted by John

Sunday 13 February 2011

The tale of John and his winter ride

Why do we pay road tax? South Staffordshire and Wolverhampton Councils, hang your head in shame! I've only cycled 21 miles this afternoon, and Wolverhampton has some of the bumpiest roads I have ever been on, while South Staffordshire has more holes in their roads than Albion's defence! 


"Hello, is that Accident Direct?"


Anyway, rant over! It was nice to get out minus all the thermals-first time this year- the sun was shining, and occasionally, it was quite warm! I had my I pod blasting Chase & Status' new album, for company, and that kept me going as for me, solo riding is mentally more difficult. It was my first proper outing with them fancy new pedals and cleats, and I was ok until I go to some traffic lights, forgot all about them and nearly went! I managed to stay upright but there was some significant wobbling going on! 


The ride was going well, until about four miles before home when that wind that has been hanging around for the last week or so reared its ugly head. Out of nowhere, I was blasted with an almighty head wind that nearly stopped me in my tracks! I ploughed on through it for about a mile, trying to make myself as small a possible. Being 6 foot 4 and carrying a bit of timber, it wasn't the easiest of tasks! However, I soon came rattling into Perton, and gained some shelter. From there, I had a couple of nice down hills with one nasty uphill/mountain before I arrived home and once more came close to taking a tumble due to those bloomin pedals!


Posted by John

Friday 11 February 2011

Look at this guy!

I know the whole Team thinks that what we're doing is quite an effort and I don't think that any of us are looking forward to the actual cycling part of the journey.

Before we bask in the self induced glory of what we are about to do I saw a story about a chap on the local news.

He beat a brain tumour in 2009 and had to learn to walk again. He attempted to cycle from LA to Miami in 2010 but was hit by a truck doing 70mph and again had to learn how to walk.

He is at this moment cycling across America and is on day 24ish. This chap is a hero and it puts into perspective what our little Team is doing. Have read of his website. www.cycleacrossamerica2010.com
and you can follow his 3500 mile journey.

Tuesday 8 February 2011

The Blinking Wind

May I just say that this is going to be a short rant about the wind and winter weather!

Why is it that when there is no rain, snow or ice we have gale force gusts of wind that is hell bent on throwing you out in front of a passing wagon?
If at first it doesn't succeed it will try all over again and in any case every journey will take 15 minutes longer than it should. For all cyclists that hang on for grim death as they are blown around the road just telling God that they will go to Church more if only they make it home without dying and then going out and doing it all again the next morning. I SALUTE YOU!!!!
Just dream about the time when you could go out on your bike in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt and not layered up like a winter onion.
Take care.......
Need I say more?

It's Dawning!

I must say sorry that I haven't updated the blog for a while but it has been really busy with work and with the planning of the ride so please bear with me.

I think for all involved it's now dawning on us what a physical challenge this ride is going to be. I had a text saying that someone had even seen Dave the "phantom cyclist" out and about and that he had even done 20 odd miles in one go! Well done mate. Whilst I'm on the subject of Dave a shout out must be given to his long suffering Wife. Dave came to work one day and told me that he had bought a new piece to his bike and had spent over £100 for the pleasure. Dave was asked what amazing go faster piece is this? ( I have to run everything past my other half and it's very rare I'm allowed to spend!) The answer when it arrived was a carbon fibre stem. Exactly the same of the last one but a slightly different colour! Dave it won't help you on the day!
Omar then dropped the thing on a table whailst trying to be funny. The people there watched it bounce across the table and onto the floor. Lets just say that Omar went a funny colour. I think Dave did as well.

One member of the Team that I'm not really worried about is the "Silver Fox" Keith. He rides to work in all weathers and I mean all weathers. Although he is the oldest I think he will be the cornerstone of the cycling element so he has a big role to play. (If I can get him to stop moaning for five minutes at a time that is!)

The new bike
Here is a picture of "Daddy Davies" taking possession of his custom carbon framed super bike. As you can see he is as proud as a new father and I must admit that I am pretty jealous of him. Again I received a text from Paul whilst he was away on holiday. He said that he taken his bike and had done 9 miles all in one go. "Not a lot", I hear you cry. Well Paul has clipless pedals on the new bike and had never used them before. So 9 miles without falling off is a bit of a miracle. The first time I took mine out I fell off twice in 30 seconds in Solihull Town Centre. Having children laugh in your face from their car seats isn't the best way to spend a Sunday afternoon!




On Sunday I managed to stretch my legs with Solihull Cycling Club and ended up doing 65 miles. The furthest by a long way (40 miles) that I had ever done all in one go. I am writing this the day after and have to admit that the thighs are a little tender. I wonder just how I'm going to be able to get up everyday and do it all over again. It can't be that hard, can it?
Eagle eyed Bev caught me washing the cups.
Enjoy it while you can, it'll be the last time!!