Charity Cycle Ride Background

So, here is a background of the challenge that I have decided to undertake and the reasons behind them.

Firstly the challenge is to cycle from Portsmouth down to Gibraltar. Quite an absurd challenge to set for oneself you may think, however there are reasons behind the madness. I am not the sort of person who wakes up one morning thinking that I shall get on my bike and ride the length of France and Spain just for the hell of it. I only agree to do these kind of things for a cause and it always involves charity. The charity that I want to raise funds for this time is the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Service. I have ridden hundreds of miles for various charities and my most recent endeavours have included riding non-stop on a turbo trainer for 24 hours (toilet breaks only allowed) and last year I rode from the South Coast to Manchester, but this one is the most daunting and challenging yet. It is for a very good cause though and this is why I have agreed to set myself the target of riding near on 100 miles a day for 13 days (with one rest day towards the middle).

I am not doing this solo though. I will have at least one companion cyclist with me and I am hopefully going to arrange a support vehicle. Maybe the next challenge will involve a solo ride but I am not prepared to put myself through that yet.

The reason for the chosen charity is because I know a Gentleman who required the services of the regional Air Ambulance Service when he had a road traffic collision with a HGV whilst cycling home from work. He required extensive treatment and care urgently. I will not dwell on the extent of the injuries caused as I have not asked for his permission, however the Air Ambulance Service was required to get him to intensive care in a rush and this is his chosen charity. It will be a pleasure to raise as much for this cause as I can.

I have started a Just Giving Page and link this Blog to it. Please help us raise as much as possible for this very worthwhile cause and also to give us the drive and will to keep going. This Blog will have daily updates once the ride commences in September. Please read our journey and enjoy our suffering along the way.

EDIT:
I am ill!! I am sick and cannot continue with this ride!! I am disappointed, gutted, frustrated and feel guilty, a failure, a fraud. This endeavour is cancelled. I will not be riding this year. For those who have sponsored me, I am truly sorry. I feel like a thief, a charlatan, a phoney! If I can find an alternative way to EARN the money you have sponsored, I will! Sorry again. 

Slowly, slowly, catchy Gibraltar Monkey

The training is going to have to start somewhere and as it is approaching Easter and I have two weeks holiday, what better time to start? Unfortunately today I only had two hours to spare and my front derailleur is still sticking so I had to choose my route carefully which meant no hills and not going too far from home. I have spoken to Tony at my Local Bike Shop (see link) to arrange delivery of new front derailleur and fitting so hopefully the hills will be targeted soon.

So after some consideration, I decided that Hayling Island is the flat destination to get the legs spinning nicely and getting into a decent rhythm for a couple of hours. Nothing too strenuous or anything to worry about; or so I thought. My god was it windy over there today. I was being buffeted so much from the side whilst going over the bridge that it was a struggle to keep a good line. Then I was close passed so many times that I gave up counting and finally, I almost came a cropper when being overtaken by a car that had total disregard for the oncoming vehicle. If I could have said my farewell prayers quickly enough I would have, however all I could manage was "Jesus Christ in Hell, you complete To$$er!!!". I am still here though through the grace of God, even though he did not get to hear those prayers and just a stream of blasphemous profanities with expletives instead.

Apart from the above heart in mouth moment though, I found that the ride would suit a quick early morning loop for the commute. I think that I shall get up early on Monday with a 0530 start and see what it is like and how I feel. I know that today was only 43km which equates to 27 miles which in turn is only a quarter of the average daily mileage for the sponsored ride but man must start somewhere. Out again tomorrow for training ride number two and then a club ride to Petersfield and back on Sunday, followed by the commute loop on Monday. Slowly, slowly, catchy Gibraltar Monkey!

Please help me get to my projected target of  £5000 for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance by clicking on the JustGiving button and donating your desired amount. Alternatively you can donate by texting the code DRGN97 £10 to 70070. Thank you for your support.

Three! (That's the Magic Number?)

It takes three legs to make a tripod or to make a table stand,
And it takes three wheels to make a vehicle called a tricycle
And every triangle has three corners,
Every triangle has three sides,
No more, no less,
You don't have to guess
That it's three
Can't you see?
It's a magic number

(Bob Dorough 1973)

It takes three to cycle from Portsmouth to Gibraltar,
And it takes three cycling through hell and high water
One common goal for the three riders,
Three pairs of legs,
No more, no less,
That makes six,
Pedalling for charity
Can't you see?
It's a magic number!

It was decided a long time ago in a Galaxy not very far from here that the riders to undertake the challenge of riding from Portsmouth to Gibraltar would be just the three. Myself and my colleagues Paul Hunter and James Avis are the threesome to put ourselves through the rigours of cycling the 1250 miles. My personal training could have been far better in the planning and execution however a downturn in health has left me frustrated, lethargic and feeling guilty. Paul and James on the other hand seem to have kept up their training regime as best that they can under difficult circumstances  at work and have completed more miles than me recently. Hopefully I can change this around and get some decent rides and miles in the legs.

One recent positive result is that I have now had the design of the promotional material printed for distribution. If you are unaware of the design then it is under the tab marked "Flyer" on the blog. I have had 12 A5 posters, 24 A4 posters and hundreds of leaflets printed and these will hopefully be publicised by local businesses, bicycle shops, cafes and Sport and Recreational Centres both in the local area and the Isle of Wight.

If you follow me on Strava and can think of any ideas on how to help gain publicity or funding for the charity cycle ride then please let me know of them on that social media outlet. Talking of social media, could you please link this blog to your Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp etcetera accounts?

Please help me get to my projected target of  £5000 for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance by clicking on the JustGiving button and donating your desired amount. Alternatively you can donate by texting the code DRGN97 £10 to 70070. Thank you for your support.