Mum

My Mum, who my dad was lucky enough to have shared 50 wonderful years of marriage with, sadly lost her fight with cancer and passed away yesterday. I would like to thank everyone for their love and support to all of us. The funeral will be held at 10am on Monday 29 April Mums wishes were for any considered donations to go to charity by supporting my bike ride from John O'Groats to Land's End in aid of Bowel Cancer:- You can do so via the link on this site Once again on behalf of us all thank you for you kind regards and best wishes XX Nic

Not long now....

Really only got two and a half weeks left of training left! Then it's a case of box the bike up and post it off to the starting hotel a few days ahead of us to make sure it gets there in time! Really getting quite nervous. I will list what I intend to take nearer the time, as have had a few requests about equipment etc. I did a 64 mile ride today with the new tyres on Michelin Lithion 2. I have to say so far been pretty impressed. They roll great and handled the gritty roads today very well, only time will tell. I went a slightly different route today to the left on the South Harting climb 9 road that leads to Chichester. I was having a conversation with a friend at work who said it is possibly a little less hard than going straight up. Well yes I guess it is, a little less steep, what he did forget to say though is it's nearly twice as long! That said the road is super smooth compared to the straight up climb. I then cut back through some single track lanes that were great, quite and beautiful views. These were where the tyres really got tested as there was quite a lot of gravel through the lanes. Well more pummelling tomorrow.... back soon

Endomondo Event

Endomondo Event: has joined the event 'Trailing JOGLE4BC ride' on Endomondo. Check it out on: http://www.endomondo.com/event/9380379

Recovery and Repair

The ice and pain killers clearly helped a lot, the following day the knee was sore but much less swollen and working good enough. Probably should have rested it some more but wont have that luxury if it happens on the ride, so why now? Anyways Liz was able to get the spares I needed to fix the bike, gear hanger, chain , pulley/jockey wheels. The rear mech is a bit twisted but changing gear still ok, so will leave that for now and the rear wheel has a slight buckle which I aim to sort before the ride. Managed to get out for a ride with Colin and knee held up pretty good, so quite happy. Colin was suffering a bit with a tight chest, due to a bit of a cold but was able to complete the ride, although I think it took it out of him a bit. Like I said though, on the ride i'm sure both of us will have good and bad days, so good to know we were both able to slug it out and finish, even if not at any great pace. Like I keep saying it's not a race we just have to finish each day. Had some great news today, "Pompeys Pummellers", professional sports masseuses, are going to look after us between now and the ride. They offer a very professional service and will get our bodies as ready as they can be for the ride. We're extremely grateful to them for their off of help and once a week we will be, well pummelled I guess! Links to the website are on the blog, give them a call and see what they can do for you. bye for now Nic

Disaster!

Crash on route to work, snapped gear hanger, shredded pulley wheel, twisted chain and slight buckled rear wheel! Oh and the small matter of a twisted knee and back also not able making it to work. Rescued by my dear wife who is keeping the pain killers up, hot bath and has me lying down with raised leg with ice pack on the knee. Also she has gone out and got some spares for the bike, will see if I can repair it later as knee and back feeling a bit better now or the pain killers are fooling me! Feeling a bit battered and bruised but hope will be fit to cycle tomorrow if I keep up with ice and pain killers? More worried about the bike!

Training ride planed for the 8th of April

Endomondo Event: has joined the event 'IOW Randonee' on Endomondo. Check it out on: http://www.endomondo.com/event/9171671

In theory you should be able to log onto the above on the day of the ride and then follow us live on the map to see where we are at any given time. I would be grateful if someone could do this to see if it works and will then post links to each day of the JOGLE ride.

Thanks
Nic

BBC Radio Solent

On Friday Mum and I are doing a pre- record interview with Radio Solent. Not sure what date this will go out but expect it to be in April as this is national Bowel cancer month. So this will be good publicity for the ride but more importantly it will raise awareness of the disease and the importance of doing the screening. If you are reading this and have any concerns. check out the Bowel cancer website and/or seek advice from your GP. X http://www.beatingbowelcancer.org/understanding-bowel-cancer