A Massive Thank You

A huge thank you to everybody who has donated so far. The total so far is £1187.50 including £332.50 of offline donations who deserve a mention. Thanks to Chris & Dave (Sal's Mum and Dad) £50, Joanne Cumberlin £5, Gemma Dyer £10, Sal's Cakes £18.50, Chris O' Connell £5, Keith Parsons £3, East Dene Primary ( Jo's School ) £85, Booze Buster £35, The Mattersons £70, Nina £20, Ceri £40. Wow your all fantastic

Last week sun burn, this week road burn

Posted by Gary

After cycling in the sun (see previous post), I'm back in wales cycling in the rain. Easy not to get sun burn, but did manage to get road burn when i crashed on slippy road, I know which I prefer (see picture of my thigh below).

Can't let a holiday stop the training

Posted by Gary

With 3 months to go and the need for a quick holiday I decided to hire a road bike whilst in Fuertaventura. Known as the windy cannary isle, it didn't let it's reputation down. The wind didn't drop below 20 mph, not ideal for cycling. I managed to cycle a 40 and 30 miler, nice when when the sun and the wind was on my back but not so nice with the head wind, I'm not complaining though.

Update since last year

Posted by Gary

It's time to start blogging again and I thought I'd start with an update since last year. Training and  completing the London 100 last year had given me the bug for cycling, so in September I gave my local cycling club (VC Melyd) a ring and asked to join them for a ride. I should be ok, I thought I must be fit after all that training. Huge miscalculation of my fitness, those boys and girls were on a different level, after 10 mins and halfway up the first hill it took everything in me not to turnaround a cycle back home and never show my face at the club again. Instead I carried on the 30 mile ride, with the club members waiting for me at the top of every hill (they like hills). I got home, crawled through the door, emptied the contents of my stomach in the loo and collapsed in to my bed, slipping in to deepest sleep I have ever had, Kati said she kept checking to see I was still breathing. This was repeated the next 3 or 4 times I went out with the club, but now I don't throw up anymore and not so bad on the hills. I have still got the bug for cycling and still got my old bike, I have a few more wrinkles on my face a few more grey hairs in my beard but nothing has changed really. Simon is still missed and we can't wait for the London 100 this year to raise money for the Epilepsy Society in memory of him.

Frilly Socks and Pot Holes

Styling out cycling with frilly socks; not sure how it would go down in the cycling world (I assume not well). I'm thinking of ways to improve those - god awful - sunglasses they insist on wearing. I don't think wayfarer-esque sunglasses quite fit the bill.
Training is still going well; no more falls (thank god) but maybe a few near misses. Pot holes are the devil. Yesterday bought hailstone pounding me in the face and for anyone who knows me well they will be aware that this did not impress me! 
Although I love sheffield, I'm hating it's hills right now. Where are all the flats? I can only imagine this will hold me in good stead for the London 100 cycle.
Not to forget why I'm doing this - to raise money for the Epilepsy Society. As many charities do, they do great things and need the support of others to help those good things along :) Please donate, there is no amount too small. 

http://www.justgiving.com/2014teamsilondon100/

Here are our stats on strava for last year, 100 miles in 7 hours, and more importantly raised over £4000 for the Epilepsy society in memory of Simon. Something to aim for and hopefully smash this year.