Please help me - I must be mad - cycling all the way to Amsterdam over three days, sharing a cabin on a six and a half hour ferry ride with a complete stranger, staying overnight in a youth hostel dormitory with my new found 'mates', having to visit one of Holland's oldest working windmills en route - and on top of that it's communal shower blocks, public toilets and saddle sore all the way. What fun.

But please remember I do these things so that people like you, normal level headed sane people, never have to humiliate yourselves in this way. And it is all in a good cause - all the funds you pledge will go directly to helping build the new Shaare Zedek childrens hospital in Jerusalem. I can't think of a better reason for me to sacrifice so much. Actually I can, lets face it - it's really all about me, forget the sick kids, give money and make me feel good about myself. Do it now - you know it makes sense.  

Training update - 5th July 09 - I'm three weeks into my traning schedule now. Each week I am doing 2 long rides, 1 intense ride, 1 day off and on the remaining days I am doing short 'recovery' runs. Today I got up at 5.00am and headed off on the route which will eventually take me to my training goal, a ride from Edgware to Brighton. Today I got as far as Streatham Hill and came home again. A three hour round trip and about 40 miles.  Over the weeks I will build this up and in a few weeks time I will just keep going and cycle all the way to Brighton. That's approximately 70 miles - once I'm up to that level I hope the trek to Amsterdam will be a doddle.   I'll keep you posted.

Traning update - 12th July 09 - In week four of my training schedule I have been taking things easy -apparently resting the muscles after 3 weeks of hard work helps them grow and get strong. Back to the hard training next week. Lets see if the theory is right.

Traning Update - 19th July 09 - This week I have had two long rides, one to Amersham and back and today to Norbury in South London and back again - my rest week has paid dividends as my strength is increased as is my average speed.  Next week I hope to cycle from Edgware to Gatwick ariport - (then I'll get the train home!) 

Traning Update - 26th July 09 -  I did it. This very morning I cycled all the way to Gatwick Airport. For the first part,  the plan went extremely well. Then just outsdie the airport with the smell of aviation fuel in my nostrils I found myself on an overgrown cycle path next to the A23 - I went under a couple of tunnels and wow, right into the working bowels of the Airport. No signs for the station, no signs of anything. So I had to ask a memeber of staff. He told me I had to go into the terminal building and upstairs and that I should use that life (as he pointed) as its 'bigger'. It turned out to be a staff lift which took me behind the scenes at the terminal building. So much for security! As I got out a pilot got in. I could have killed him taken his uniform and reaked havoc all over the airport. But I didn't.

I then went inside the airport past the hordes of holiday makers and their cases trying to check in. In the confusion I had to ask two members of staff where the station was, left my bike while I 'used the facilities' and finally found the station.

I bought my ticket, jumped on the Heathrow Express and whizzed to Victoria in the company of some pleasant female tourists from Italy and Spain. On arrival in Victoria I discovered a small fly in the ointment of my perfect plan. Apparently Victoria doesn't send trains to Mill Hill Broadway!!!  Go figure - no one told me!  So rather than muck about trying to find the neareast Thames Link station I got on my bike and cycled home - a further 11 miles - and boy did it hurt.  But I made it and now I have a 48 miler under my belt/saddle. All in a good cause. Now its feet up on the sofa and relax - Tour De France hear I come.    

 

Training Update 21st August 09 -  Its been nearly three weeks since my last confession - and my schedule has been hit by an injury to my left knee. I've taken things easy so I can get back to fitness for the off - in just over two weeks. I've got to the point where I can do a 40 mile ride without a problem (apart from damaging my knee) I hope to do at least one more big one (75 miles plus) before my rest period before we go off to Amsterdam. I'll keep you posted. Injury or not I'm completing this ride.

Training Update 2nd september 09 - Well I have just got back from 10 days in Devon - no one told me it was full of hills! Yes I did take my bike but due to my knee problem I had to take it easy. I had some physio while away and with the help of soem magic cream, pills and lots of cold showers my legs will be ready for the off on Sunday - I can't believe I'm actually doing it in 4 days - Now I'm really worried - but I have one last weapon up my sleave - Beetroot Juice - apparently drinking it every day helps boost your ability to burn oxygen and do hard exercise - so I'm drniking gallons over the next few days. Amsterdam hear I come.....

Thank you all for your amazing generosity. The thought of all your amazing support will help keep me going no matter how hard the next fex days will be.   

 

Thursday 10th September 2009 - Well  I've done it. The first day was hard with lots of hills and 109km to cover. But after a relaxiung boat ride over night we had two days of flat roads and cycle paths and gloriously sunny weather. It was an amazing experience and I hope to do it all again soon!!!!!!

 

Thanks for your support. It made the training early mornings and aches all worht it.