Sailing bike needed!

To say it was windy today is a bit of an under statement. Over night it blew a gale and to tell you the truth put me right off going out in the morning, so I didn't. So come the afternoon the rain had cleared and the sun was out, sitting in doors is not getting me any closer to Paris so out came the bike and the elements had to be braved. The wind had eased a little but it was still very gusty, I set off with twenty miles the goal and a long trip planned for Friday. With the wind behind me it felt like I had raised the spinnaker sail and was flying along, touching 30mph with a slight decline aiding me, for the first few miles it was great. I left the town behind me and found the fields, with cross winds now trying to blow me to the other side of the road, I started to think about the journey home and heading into the wind. It was on me before too long and boy did I notice the difference, the spinnaker was now down and it felt like I should start tacking my way into the wind. At times when it gusted I felt like I stopped dead in the road, for all the speed and effortless riding out it was hard and energy sapping on the way back. I was glad I did go out and after all if the wind blows in June I'll still be doing 460 km. Roll on Paris.

Snow reason! Yes there is a reason.

The snow in the last week has kept me off the bike and meant I've had to find other ways of keeping the fitness training going. The exercise machine has been recovered from the loft where it has resided for the past ten years and a newfangled machine to aid the perfect sit up has followed me home from the shops. So now the front room is starting to resemble a gym and the fridge has never looked so healthy my get fit campaign is in full swing, I've lost half a stone since my birthday on the third of January and found today for the first time my trousers attempting to slip my hips. I did 15 miles on the mountain bike today and managed to dodge the remaining ice patches on the roads, can't wait to get back on the road bike though.

I would like to bring to everyone's notice the reason I am on this journey to be fit for London to Paris come June, that is to raise money to aid research into beating blood cancers. I have attached some facts on the different types of  disorders that effect around 30,000 people a year.

My aim is to raise over £1,000 through my cycle ride and would ask everyone that can to donate to my just giving page by following the link on the right of this page, every pound will help, so please support me in helping beat blood cancer. Thank you.

Roll on Paris.

Facts about blood cancers

Anyone can get a blood cancer at any age. Around 30,000 people, from babies to grandparents, are diagnosed with blood cancer every year in the UK.

Leukaemia

Of the 7,600 cases of leukaemia diagnosed in the UK every year, 94% are adults.
We are leading research into tailoring treatments so that rather than a one size fits all approach, every patient in the future will receive the individual treatment they need.

Childhood leukaemia

Childhood leukaemia is the most common form of cancer in children.
In 1960 when Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research was founded, a child diagnosed with leukaemia had almost no hope of survival.
Today 9 out of 10 children survive the most common form of leukaemia thanks to our continued investment in research into better treatments.

Lymphoma

Around 11,700 people in the UK are diagnosed with lymphoma every year. Lymphoma is challenging to treat mainly because there are so many different types (over 35) of this blood cancer.
Lymphoma is the most common blood cancer in young people aged 15 to 24.
Thanks to our pioneering research, doctors are able to diagnose lymphoma more accurately which means every lymphoma patient receives the best possible care.

Myeloma

Myeloma is a cancer which occurs in later life: only two percent of cases occur in people under 40.
Around 3,750 people are diagnosed with myeloma in the UK every year.
Our scientists have developed a treatment that relieves the painful symptoms of this debilitating cancer. Now they are looking for a cure.

Other disorders

Over 5,300 people are diagnosed with other blood disorders in the UK every year. These disorders are more difficult to treat because they vary so much from patient to patient.
We are integrating insights from laboratory research with information from patients on clinical trials to improve the diagnosis of these blood disorders. Accurate diagnosis will mean that patients receive better treatments.

Unstoppable!

It's been a long week at work and having to go in on my day off meant I didn't get out on the bike till this weekend (such a pain when work gets in the way of life). I did however receive the last of my Birthday presents through the post, a new Specialized S3 helmet and a fantastic Unstoppable Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research top and shorts. Looks great if a touch tight, need to keep going with the healthy eating if I want to look half decent come June. As the weekend approached and the weather men started threatening a load of snow I was thinking the weekend was not going to be kind to me, I should have trusted in the inability of the Met office to get it right. So come Sunday no Snow, however it was a bit chilly with a brisk wind making the chill factor below zero when I set off. The regular route out towards Wallasea was the order of the day with thirty miles ahead of me, I felt good still coming to terms with the clip less peddles and shoes. Seven miles in and my hands were suffering from the cold, with the feeling slowly ebbing away from my fingers, It was time to stop and get some heat into them before they went beyond redemption. Now back in the swing of things Wallasea marina soon loomed large on the horizon, turning straight round it was time to head for home. I had not set out with a sprint in mind but feeling great and favourable wind conditions I decided to attempt an increased pace. Getting into a high tempo rhythm I surprised myself while passing several other cyclists, boosting the ego on the way, you see I was expecting my burst of pace to last a few miles at best. However on this day I was super human and driven on by my new found powers I maintained a sustained pace all the way home, finishing with an average speed of 16mph for the thirty miles and the last fifteen over 17mph. Feeling it this evening though but intensely satisfied with my workout, Roll on Paris.

Tackle Tart!

 

So 2013 is now here and London Paris is no longer next year, look at it this way today is the 6th of January, that makes it exactly five months till D day. Reflecting as to where I am now and where I need to be in five months I would say my school report would read C+, Good effort but requires more focus. Well that focus is taking shape, you see not only has it been Christmas but I am also now another year older having turned 43 on the 3rd. Knowing I wanted new bike gear I had requested money for both and first on the shopping list was clip less pedals and and new pair of Shimano shoes, taking the plunge into serious cycling and at the same time terrifying my wife in the process. As well as the shoes I've ordered a new Specialized S3 helmet and a set of Unstoppable cycling gear direct from Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. Referencing my other

passion of fishing, this now makes me an official "Tackle tart". The other area of focus is my core health and fitness, so plans are to alter my eating habits (goodbye chocolate and biscuits) and the target is to loose at least a stone in weight. Well as soon as I got my shoes I was eager to try them out so a quick run round the block ended with Angela shooting a short video (I'm sure she thought I was going to fall off) and the attached short masterpiece was the result of an hour playing with video apps on the mobile phone. The serious first test came on Friday when I went on a fifty mile ride, and to my surprise I felt very comfortable if a little weird. One or two wobbles ensued at junctions but in general I was very happy and a little relieved. The only real problem came in the way of flood water still hanging around. It was out beyond Danbury when I came across the flood above, having been dodging pot holes further along this lane I felt it unwise to cycle through this river/road. So the only option was to walk along the bank to the side, in shoes or wellies no problem, in cleated cycle shoes not so. The next ten minute were spent trying to clear the the mud from my cleats and on I went hoping not to get them stuck next time I stopped, the fear of toppling over when stopping had become more of a reality. Sorry to report it didn't happen, I did have a puncture further up the road but apart from that the ride finished without any further incident. Satisfied with a good work out I look forward to the exciting times that lay ahead this year. Roll on Paris,