Monday, 2 March 2009
Friday, 16 May 2008
Hello everyone.
I just want to say thank you to S Dunn for the medal that was a fantastic little memento and i appreciate it very much, as do the others i would have thought. Cheers mate.
we have now been in the paper ( the Leyland Guardian ) with a description of the trip which is brief and a photo of us all outside work. Thanks has to go out to Charlie Edwards and Keith Bridgette who although did not come on the trip got a mention in the paper as the drivers so i guess they must have done something although nobody remembers it lol. Also ouch to Mark S as to hit a BRICK in the middle of the road and then the FRONT WHEEL come off that must have hurt alot nobody remembers this either although i do recall Mark hitting a small rock which sent him flying and skidding into the carrigeway with wheel intact, now i know that hurt as i was on Mark's wheel when it happened. Embelishment did not hurt anybody i guess lol. Appologies to Mark B as he was not mentioned in the line up on one of the photos plus the names dont match to the people, ah well. lol.
Finally my knees and Achillies tendon are still very painfull but i am back on the bike at last.
I just want to say thank you to S Dunn for the medal that was a fantastic little memento and i appreciate it very much, as do the others i would have thought. Cheers mate.
we have now been in the paper ( the Leyland Guardian ) with a description of the trip which is brief and a photo of us all outside work. Thanks has to go out to Charlie Edwards and Keith Bridgette who although did not come on the trip got a mention in the paper as the drivers so i guess they must have done something although nobody remembers it lol. Also ouch to Mark S as to hit a BRICK in the middle of the road and then the FRONT WHEEL come off that must have hurt alot nobody remembers this either although i do recall Mark hitting a small rock which sent him flying and skidding into the carrigeway with wheel intact, now i know that hurt as i was on Mark's wheel when it happened. Embelishment did not hurt anybody i guess lol. Appologies to Mark B as he was not mentioned in the line up on one of the photos plus the names dont match to the people, ah well. lol.
Finally my knees and Achillies tendon are still very painfull but i am back on the bike at last.
Thursday, 8 May 2008
Done and Dusted.
Hello everybody just to inform you all we completed our adventure within the alloted period of 7 days, this was far from easy but highly enjoyable. You would not realise how much you can learn about the people you are with when you are together for 24hrs a day for 7 days all the foibles and realy annoying things such as the windy nights, (you know what i mean lads lol). Still we became a small family as the week went by, all looking out for each other as only a family can do. Tony more or less became the voice of reason and everybody listened, he was also nick named "The Don" but you have to say it with an scycilian, newyork accent gangster...... ish lol.
The journey was long as we were travelling anything upto 149 miles which was our top day down to 125 which was our lowest, culminating in a total of 923 miles in 7 days, please dont forget the 7 days bit as not many people do it in that time with the route we took. We were also in the saddle for roughly 11 - 13 hrs a day, Dunny will testify to that with gusto, lol.
I cant speak for anybody else about there personal journey so they will have to do that themselves, for me though, i can safely say it is the biggest challenge i have ever faced (well except for being a parent) and came out on top and chuffed to bits with myself. The hills were huge long drags some that went on for literaly miles and miles but i feel fitter and stronger for it. I could probably say i feel mentally stronger too as although we were in a group we spent a lot of time in silence just concentrating on the task in hand and getting lost in your own thoughts or trying to forget about the pain we were going through. What a journey............................................
I suffered one puncture only and that was at the beginning within 50 miles from the start. We started off eating quite healthily then it suddenly dropped off to eating whatever we could get hold off just to stave off the hunger and to fill up with carbs and protein. Also drinking was a never ending pain in the arse as it added quite a bit of weight to the bike and you do eventually get fed up of carb drinks and water, but it is a valuable part of your diet when doing long distance cycling. Do not underestimate "Go Bars and Carb drinks" they are the life force behind you completing such a trip.
I lost around 5 pounds although some of my fellow work collegues say i look like i have lost more.
I did not come out of this totaly unscathed as i now have a troublesome knee as in, i cant peddle and it hurts to walk so i am now stuck untill i am healed, which is quite annoying as the Time Trial season has started and i am going to miss the first few races damm.
Right i am going to clock off for now i will be back hopefully with some idea of how much we have raised.
The journey was long as we were travelling anything upto 149 miles which was our top day down to 125 which was our lowest, culminating in a total of 923 miles in 7 days, please dont forget the 7 days bit as not many people do it in that time with the route we took. We were also in the saddle for roughly 11 - 13 hrs a day, Dunny will testify to that with gusto, lol.
I cant speak for anybody else about there personal journey so they will have to do that themselves, for me though, i can safely say it is the biggest challenge i have ever faced (well except for being a parent) and came out on top and chuffed to bits with myself. The hills were huge long drags some that went on for literaly miles and miles but i feel fitter and stronger for it. I could probably say i feel mentally stronger too as although we were in a group we spent a lot of time in silence just concentrating on the task in hand and getting lost in your own thoughts or trying to forget about the pain we were going through. What a journey............................................
I suffered one puncture only and that was at the beginning within 50 miles from the start. We started off eating quite healthily then it suddenly dropped off to eating whatever we could get hold off just to stave off the hunger and to fill up with carbs and protein. Also drinking was a never ending pain in the arse as it added quite a bit of weight to the bike and you do eventually get fed up of carb drinks and water, but it is a valuable part of your diet when doing long distance cycling. Do not underestimate "Go Bars and Carb drinks" they are the life force behind you completing such a trip.
I lost around 5 pounds although some of my fellow work collegues say i look like i have lost more.
I did not come out of this totaly unscathed as i now have a troublesome knee as in, i cant peddle and it hurts to walk so i am now stuck untill i am healed, which is quite annoying as the Time Trial season has started and i am going to miss the first few races damm.
Right i am going to clock off for now i will be back hopefully with some idea of how much we have raised.
DONT FORGET THE LINK AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE FOR PICTURES.
Sunday, 27 April 2008
Saturday, 26 April 2008
good luck
Hey guys,
this is a shout out of support for all you crazy bike riders. Firstly well done for even entertaining the idea and secondly good luck with your adventure. Have fun with this and know that every turn of the wheels is helping someone who is in need.
All the best to all especially to my dad Tony Pelan and dad, Layla sends her grandad big kisses.
Love from Melbourne, Australia
xx
this is a shout out of support for all you crazy bike riders. Firstly well done for even entertaining the idea and secondly good luck with your adventure. Have fun with this and know that every turn of the wheels is helping someone who is in need.
All the best to all especially to my dad Tony Pelan and dad, Layla sends her grandad big kisses.
Love from Melbourne, Australia
xx
Wednesday, 23 April 2008
Point of No Return!!
Well. We have now reached the point of no return! The bus is ready to be collected on Friday. The trailer is in for a safety check tomorrow. The bikes are serviced and ready to roll. Pete is cramming in a little last minute training. My (Mark) excitement is now turning to apprehension. (Wondering whether or not to join Pete!!) Dunny's legs are shaved for streamlining! (Needs every bit of help he can get!) Bucko is planning on cycling back from John O'Groats to meet us half way!! Jay looks as worried as me! Even Tony was looking a bit worried today at the photo shoot!!The only one who looks quietly confident is Paul. (I personaly think it is an act and he is realy bricking himself!!) Rosemere and Derian have donated some T-Shirts for us to wear in the evenings while we try and collect a some more sponsors! (If we are still able to walk!!) A big thanks to Andy & Paul for giving up a week of their annual leave to support us for the week. (Or laugh at our pain and stupidity!!)
Also a big thanks to my nephew Lewis, for loaning us his laptop so we can update the blog on a daily basis. (dependant on being alive!!)
Last but by no means least. A big thanks to the wives and partners of all the team for putting up with the hours of training that we have put in, the weekends stuck in with the kids while we were out on the bikes getting the miles in. (And getting our arses used to being in the saddle for hours on end!!)
And a big thank you to everyone who has sponsored us for this crazy idea that someone had!! (Thanks Dunny!!)
Well I'm signing off now. Going to get some rest and relaxation ready for the weekend and the big week ahead!
So just thinks. On Sunday morning, when your all still sound asleep in your beds, (no doubt with a hangover!) we will be embarking on one of the biggest and most challenging adventures of our lives! Please visit our just giving pages and make a donation. Every little helps!
Thanks again to everyone who has supported and helped us in our crazy adventure.
Mark Smith.
Also a big thanks to my nephew Lewis, for loaning us his laptop so we can update the blog on a daily basis. (dependant on being alive!!)
Last but by no means least. A big thanks to the wives and partners of all the team for putting up with the hours of training that we have put in, the weekends stuck in with the kids while we were out on the bikes getting the miles in. (And getting our arses used to being in the saddle for hours on end!!)
And a big thank you to everyone who has sponsored us for this crazy idea that someone had!! (Thanks Dunny!!)
Well I'm signing off now. Going to get some rest and relaxation ready for the weekend and the big week ahead!
So just thinks. On Sunday morning, when your all still sound asleep in your beds, (no doubt with a hangover!) we will be embarking on one of the biggest and most challenging adventures of our lives! Please visit our just giving pages and make a donation. Every little helps!
Thanks again to everyone who has supported and helped us in our crazy adventure.
Mark Smith.
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