Successful few days on the sponsorship front with a steady stream of pledges. The selling of shirt space ends tomorrow and I reckon I have 8 names on the shirt thus far. Shirts I might add generously supported by Rob at the Certini Bicycle Company in Saltash. Rob's looked after myself and the bikes now for 2 years and he does a grand job of keeping me on the road. He has offered support as I attempt LEJOG and for that I thank him greatly.
Ouch, ouch, ouch! Blasted feet have started playing up again. Gill is away this w/e and I thought I was in Munich next week so have been packing in the miles with the long one last Saturday and then 3 commutes to work this week plus a 37.5mile run home on Tuesday night. I should heed my earlier words of breaking the training up so it's a few days off for me as the feet are tender again. The best description I have heard is repetitive strain injury hence the impotance of mixing the training up. Come September, buy shares in Nurofen as sales are bound to rocket!
Was planning a gentle ride this w/e but as Kate has chicken pox this will likely be postponed. Oh and how generous SSK? It's his birthday this Sunday and he's asked well wishers not for presents but to sponsor at www.justgiving.com/martin-sunshine-ride. What an absolute star!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Fun in the sun
Swam 1500m on Thursday night and then a big ride on Saturday as Wilf was at Eden for the day. Glorious weekend with temperature up to 27 degrees and a brisk south easterly but cloudless skies. Broke my chain tool trying to remove a link so had to persist as is with a few brake adjustments after last weekends Cornwall Tour.
Rode to Ashburton, Haytor, down and round to Mannaton and back over to Ashburton. Then up to Holne, Hexworthy and Princetown. How did the 2 guys overtake me so speedily dropping down to Ashburton? Nerves of steel! Re-charged with drink at Princetown and a call to Gill to say I'd be home at 2.30 pm (Ooops) and then it was 52mph down Pork Hill before turning to Horrabridge, a round of Burrator and home. Great day of 80miles much of which was over Dartmoor classic roads on which I must now practice. My target for the classic is to complete the 103miles in under 8hrs 20mins so that I get a bronze otherwise it's a mere chunk of granite! My timing on this ride was bang on but there's no slack for mechanical hiccups so I need to practice a bit of speed.
Brakes on the bike will need changing soon and its a new chain tool for me. Terrific day as on checking the blackberry at Princetown my JustGiving site had shot up £500 in the morning. Thankyou. You know who you are. Made up for only 6 attendees at the 'Come Dine With Me' session though after lunch on Friday the total was £25 better off than before lunch.
Sunday spent on the beach with kids so we're all fried after tennis, cricket, swimming etc. Saw an adder for the first time there as it slid over the path.
Cycling to work tomorrow and then hopefully an evening ride on Tuesday. need to pack the miles in this week as I'm home and Gill is away next weekend.
Rode to Ashburton, Haytor, down and round to Mannaton and back over to Ashburton. Then up to Holne, Hexworthy and Princetown. How did the 2 guys overtake me so speedily dropping down to Ashburton? Nerves of steel! Re-charged with drink at Princetown and a call to Gill to say I'd be home at 2.30 pm (Ooops) and then it was 52mph down Pork Hill before turning to Horrabridge, a round of Burrator and home. Great day of 80miles much of which was over Dartmoor classic roads on which I must now practice. My target for the classic is to complete the 103miles in under 8hrs 20mins so that I get a bronze otherwise it's a mere chunk of granite! My timing on this ride was bang on but there's no slack for mechanical hiccups so I need to practice a bit of speed.
Brakes on the bike will need changing soon and its a new chain tool for me. Terrific day as on checking the blackberry at Princetown my JustGiving site had shot up £500 in the morning. Thankyou. You know who you are. Made up for only 6 attendees at the 'Come Dine With Me' session though after lunch on Friday the total was £25 better off than before lunch.
Sunday spent on the beach with kids so we're all fried after tennis, cricket, swimming etc. Saw an adder for the first time there as it slid over the path.
Cycling to work tomorrow and then hopefully an evening ride on Tuesday. need to pack the miles in this week as I'm home and Gill is away next weekend.
Monday, May 17, 2010
It All Went Pear v2
I don't believe this. Soon I'll get the hang of this damn system!
Have been off air for a while due to a failed password and now when I go and post I lost my first thoughts hence why the last post is empty, null and void! Let's try again....
On the fundraising front all is quiet with only 7% of my fundraising target reached thus far so I have a 'Come Dine With Me' Session organised at work on Friday where I'll share more detail about the event and charity as I try and raise awareness. If you wish to sponsor my efforts then please go to www.justgiving.com/martin-sunshine-ride.
On the bike front, my bursitis has been playing up causing havoc with my training through February and March but new shoes, pedals and the marvellous Specialized Shims (footbed inserts) have got me back on the bike. My foot is still painful and toe numb but at least I can now ride.
Richard B and I did the Verenti Cornwall Tor yesterday. 73 miles and almost 8,000' of climbing including the successful ascent of Millook at 30%+ gradient. We were both delighted to complete the event but cramp in the latter stages was due to the interupted training schedule.
I'm understanding how hard serious training can be when you're trying to juggle your job, family and hobbies all at once. Life is definitely not dull!
Have been off air for a while due to a failed password and now when I go and post I lost my first thoughts hence why the last post is empty, null and void! Let's try again....
On the fundraising front all is quiet with only 7% of my fundraising target reached thus far so I have a 'Come Dine With Me' Session organised at work on Friday where I'll share more detail about the event and charity as I try and raise awareness. If you wish to sponsor my efforts then please go to www.justgiving.com/martin-sunshine-ride.
On the bike front, my bursitis has been playing up causing havoc with my training through February and March but new shoes, pedals and the marvellous Specialized Shims (footbed inserts) have got me back on the bike. My foot is still painful and toe numb but at least I can now ride.
Richard B and I did the Verenti Cornwall Tor yesterday. 73 miles and almost 8,000' of climbing including the successful ascent of Millook at 30%+ gradient. We were both delighted to complete the event but cramp in the latter stages was due to the interupted training schedule.
I'm understanding how hard serious training can be when you're trying to juggle your job, family and hobbies all at once. Life is definitely not dull!
So Here We Go V2
Hello all and welcome to my BLOG. This is my first ever BLOG. I've wondered why on earth people ever write these things and now I've discovered why. This 'electronic diary' is a way of me capturing my thoughts, hopes and fears as I attempt Lands End to John O Groats this year by bicycle. Quite a feat with the shocking state of my feet. With all the medic trips this year I should have written a BLOG on those. Thank goodness for BUPA. Feet not cured but I guess numbness from bursitis and nerve damage is better than pain. 53 miles last Sunday convinced me to start the BLOG as I pray that the feet will hold up under the strain.Have just written all my begging letters that tell the tale. Happy reading.....
Ref. Land’s End to John O’Groats Charity Cycle Ride in aid of Rays of Sunshine Children’s CharityI am writing to you as I am seeking the support of company sponsors to help me achieve a fundraising target of £4,000 for the Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity as I attempt to cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats this summer. I plan to complete the ride assisted, in 12 days between 31st August 2010 and 12th September.
Many years ago whilst at Bristol Cathedral School, two of my fellow pupils completed the near 1000 mile ride aged 16. Being a keen cyclist myself I have often wondered in awe at their achievement and would now like to follow in their footsteps and attempt the feat myself. This is a major challenge in itself but as I have suffered for nearly 3 years with foot pain (bursitis and nerve damage) it will give me a massive sense of achievement if I can conquer the 1000 miles, 45,000 feet of climbing (1 ½ times the height of Everest!), my injury and most importantly achieve my fundraising target.
I have chosen to raise money for the Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity (www.raysofsunshine.org.uk (Reg. Charity No. 1102529)) having been inspired by the story of 18 year old Alice Halstead whom I heard interviewed on Radio 5 Live back in November 2009. Alice was a fit 16 year old when she started to become ill and was eventually diagnosed with a form of diabetes, so rare, that she is the only sufferer of this disorder globally. Alice has had to live for 2 ½ years in hospital as she has to have hourly checks of her blood sugar levels. Can you imagine being so young and not being able to leave a hospital bed? You can read more of Alice’s story on http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1229176/Girl-forced-spend-EVERY-night-hospital-developing-unique-diabetic-condition.html or http://www.alicehalstead91.moonfruit.com/#/alices-background/4536568899 .
Rays of Sunshine Children's Charity exists to help grant the wishes of children who are living with serious or life-threatening illnesses between the ages of 3-18 who live in the United Kingdom. With our help they and their families can experience the joy and excitement of doing something they've only ever dreamt of before. In Alice’s case she was afforded a trip to London to see the Lion King. A major logistical feat for one so ill.
I am a very proud parent of 3 happy and healthy kids. As a family we often have great experiences but I know we take too many of these for granted. That’s why I want to raise money for this great cause and make a difference for children less fortunate than my own.
So how can you help? I am going to print the company logos of businesses that sponsor me on my cycle jersey. The shirt will be worn on all fundraising events, PR opportunities and on the ride itself which will constitute around 80 hours of riding.If you would like to support me then please send me a cheque made payable to ‘Rays of Sunshine’ by Friday May 28th The deadline is tight to allow me time to get the jersey designed, printed and then to allow maximum exposure time for your company logo as I PR the event in the summer. In addition if you would like to personally sponsor me then you can visit www.justgiving/Martin-Sunshine-Ride and do so there.I hope you feel inspired reading Alice’s story and are prepared to act by supporting me with my epic challenge. I know that with your help I can make a difference for the children supported by Rays of Sunshine.Please feel free to ask me any questions that you should have.
Ref. Land’s End to John O’Groats Charity Cycle Ride in aid of Rays of Sunshine Children’s CharityI am writing to you as I am seeking the support of company sponsors to help me achieve a fundraising target of £4,000 for the Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity as I attempt to cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats this summer. I plan to complete the ride assisted, in 12 days between 31st August 2010 and 12th September.
Many years ago whilst at Bristol Cathedral School, two of my fellow pupils completed the near 1000 mile ride aged 16. Being a keen cyclist myself I have often wondered in awe at their achievement and would now like to follow in their footsteps and attempt the feat myself. This is a major challenge in itself but as I have suffered for nearly 3 years with foot pain (bursitis and nerve damage) it will give me a massive sense of achievement if I can conquer the 1000 miles, 45,000 feet of climbing (1 ½ times the height of Everest!), my injury and most importantly achieve my fundraising target.
I have chosen to raise money for the Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity (www.raysofsunshine.org.uk (Reg. Charity No. 1102529)) having been inspired by the story of 18 year old Alice Halstead whom I heard interviewed on Radio 5 Live back in November 2009. Alice was a fit 16 year old when she started to become ill and was eventually diagnosed with a form of diabetes, so rare, that she is the only sufferer of this disorder globally. Alice has had to live for 2 ½ years in hospital as she has to have hourly checks of her blood sugar levels. Can you imagine being so young and not being able to leave a hospital bed? You can read more of Alice’s story on http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1229176/Girl-forced-spend-EVERY-night-hospital-developing-unique-diabetic-condition.html or http://www.alicehalstead91.moonfruit.com/#/alices-background/4536568899 .
Rays of Sunshine Children's Charity exists to help grant the wishes of children who are living with serious or life-threatening illnesses between the ages of 3-18 who live in the United Kingdom. With our help they and their families can experience the joy and excitement of doing something they've only ever dreamt of before. In Alice’s case she was afforded a trip to London to see the Lion King. A major logistical feat for one so ill.
I am a very proud parent of 3 happy and healthy kids. As a family we often have great experiences but I know we take too many of these for granted. That’s why I want to raise money for this great cause and make a difference for children less fortunate than my own.
So how can you help? I am going to print the company logos of businesses that sponsor me on my cycle jersey. The shirt will be worn on all fundraising events, PR opportunities and on the ride itself which will constitute around 80 hours of riding.If you would like to support me then please send me a cheque made payable to ‘Rays of Sunshine’ by Friday May 28th The deadline is tight to allow me time to get the jersey designed, printed and then to allow maximum exposure time for your company logo as I PR the event in the summer. In addition if you would like to personally sponsor me then you can visit www.justgiving/Martin-Sunshine-Ride and do so there.I hope you feel inspired reading Alice’s story and are prepared to act by supporting me with my epic challenge. I know that with your help I can make a difference for the children supported by Rays of Sunshine.Please feel free to ask me any questions that you should have.
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