Updated on May 7th 2012 at 4:57 PM from the JustGiving API

Day 3 - We made it!!! The hill out of Stanhope was a killer but at least that was the last big hill of the day! Once that was over with we had a gentle downhill ride for about 20miles where we met my Inlaws and my wife who had prepared a feeds g station for us with choc bars coffee and lucazade! We then powered onto central Newcastle and the final 10miles to the coast. I've got to say they were the longest 10 miles on the entire trip as the wi d was straight in our faces all the way down the Tyne. We made it to the end and managed a celebratory beer and late lunch. My wife then arrived to take us back into town but two of the lads decided to cycle back!! Nutters!! Showered and changed now we're off 'doon tha toon' Thanks for donating if you did and if you didn't get your wallets out I've done it now!!

Updated on May 6th 2012 at 7:37 PM from the JustGiving API

Day2 - Uphill, downhill, uphill, downhill. That was the main storey of the day!! We started well and the first hill came after Penrith which was a bit of surprise! Followed by a very quick long downhill section where I nearly wiped out into a dry stone wall at about 30mph!! Then my knee started giving me some problems and it felt like there was no power there. I had a couple of painkillers and 20mins later I felt loads better which was quite opportune being as we had just got to the bottom of the Heartside Pass. I managed to get to the top without stopping which felt like a great achievement. A healthy lunch followed as we sat and watched the snow come down outside. A very long and quick downhill section followed down into garagill. We then turned a corner and hit a wall then cycled up it!! Another 30min climb followed bay a great downhill where I reached 40+mph where I overtook a car and nearly ended up over a wall again on one of the hairpin bends! Another 30min uphill followed by another good downhill into Allenheads then managed to fill up on probably the best rocky road I've eaten. One final long hill ten downhill to Eastgate and the welcome sight of the pub where we are staying tonight… I think after today I might need to recallibrate my 'surveyors eye' as I seems to now think that 1:5 hills are virtually flat!! One final big hill tomorrow then downhill to the coast :0) Just about time for dinner… Another update tomorrow when we're all finished :0))

Updated on May 5th 2012 at 9:28 PM from the JustGiving API

Well day one complete. The hills were bigger than expected and the legs therefore hurting more than expected!! We started with the back wheel in the sea and set off at around 10 along with what seemed like 300 other riders. Within a few hundred yards 3 of our group managed to go the wrong way despite being told where the turning was several times. We met up again soon after and carried on towards Keswick. We followed the old railway for about 10 miles which was all uphill on a gentle slope. We stopped for a drink just before Winlatter. Maybe the cider wasn't the best idea as we then climbed over 1300feet in the next few miles. It didn't help when my chain came off halfway up! After we got to the top passing a vintage car being pushed up the hill by 5 or so people we had a very long downhill section. Stopped in Keswick for lunch then pressed on towards Greystoke. We had a small altercation with a farmer and his land rover on a single track road but eventually after getting overtaken by a family with small children we made it to the B&B. Massive bonus is I got a double room to myself and the other four have to share!! Anyway we're in the pub now waiting for our table to come free. Hurry up I'm hungry!!!

Updated on May 5th 2012 at 6:28 AM from the JustGiving API

Well day1 has arrived. A little too early for me but clearly not for the reset of the heard of elephants in my hotel who have been banging around for the last hour or so! Great meal last night in The Waterfront Restaurant on the quayside easily the best place around these parts. Is belly pork good fuel for cycling?? I guess we'll find out later…

Updated on May 3rd 2012 at 10:12 PM from the JustGiving API

What do I say apart from thank you so much for everyone's donations!!! My first target was only £250 and now we're over a thousand quid!!! Keep them coming… All the prep has been completed. Just the 5 hour drive to go and first thing Saturday morning we'll be setting off on our first leg. I'll keep updating you lot as we go so until then keep donating…

Updated on Apr 22nd 2012 at 6:12 PM from the JustGiving API

3 days of pain over with and only the actual ride to go now in 2 weeks time!! Started Friday with a 50mile ride from Leamington to Uppingham in Rutland. Didn't feel too bad but 40miles riding off road around Rutland Water twice made me hurt a little. The 50 mile ride back home into wind with the rain pouring down made for hard going. Hurty legs on the last few miles into Leamington. Time now to have a few days off then maybe back into the saddle later on in the week…

Updated on Apr 17th 2012 at 7:23 PM from the JustGiving API

Sorry for the delay in updates. Been out quite a lot pounding the roads in preparation for the big run. Last weeks spin classes seem to have taken there toll and the dreaded man flue has arrived :0( fingers crossed I can shake it before my planned trip to Oakham on Friday!!

Updated on Mar 15th 2012 at 8:52 PM from the JustGiving API

960 calories at spin this evening! Averaged 244watts and 71rpm over 46mins. For my cycling friends I hope that's impressive as I feel knackered!! Although David Millar averaged 463watts for his latest TT which means I'm only half as good as a pro?!? Anyhoo a weekend off as we're off to a St Patricks night charity event for cancer research uk. Hopefully I can walk by then!!

Updated on Mar 13th 2012 at 8:21 PM from the JustGiving API

Just finished the latest spin class and managed a record 925 calories burnt!!! Even after the 70miles on Saturday! I was melting in a pool of sweat at the end though and the jacuzzi was a welcome relief! Another spin class booked for Thursday and I might get a Weights session in tomorrow depending on how I feel…

Updated on Mar 12th 2012 at 7:17 PM from the JustGiving API

Legs just about settled after a massive ride on Saturday. 70 miles in the bag. Planning a 50 miler next Saturday with plenty of hills!! Bit of a slow down on donations to the cause. Hopefully the knowledge that I've managed 70miles might lead to some more small ones… or even a big one!!

Updated on Mar 7th 2012 at 9:52 PM from the JustGiving API

800 calories spinning! Having a well deserved day off the gym tomorrow. Oh nearly forgot… I made my first target today care of my beautiful wife's donation! I'm upping the target now to £500. Let's do this!!!

Updated on Mar 7th 2012 at 3:48 PM from the JustGiving API

Well no big route yesterday as my tire was too big for my bike so I decided to go to the gym instead! Spin tonight!!

Updated on Mar 5th 2012 at 7:48 PM from the JustGiving API

No training today but I will be off for a good bit of distance tomorrow. I'll post the route once I'm home and showered!

Updated on Mar 4th 2012 at 3:42 PM from the JustGiving API

No cycling today due to the weather (don't like rain!) so I went to the gym instead. Nice little workout and managed to burn some calories from my dinner out last night!! Sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi to finish off. Greek lamb for dinner then off to the local for the monthly pub quiz!! Can't wait…

Updated on Mar 3rd 2012 at 12:08 PM from the JustGiving API

Well that was a tiring two weeks. Lots of miles and lots of spin classes! I managed to burn 10000 cals and cycle over 110 miles. I'm managing to get out on my bike almost every day and try and keep my legs moving!! More routes planned for the coming weeks. More updates to follow…

Updated on Feb 13th 2012 at 9:25 PM from the JustGiving API

Another training run completed and the first hills climbed. Only foothills in comparison to the big ones we'll be going up on the coast to coast run! Stag do this weekend so no big training run. I'll have to get to the gym as often as I can to make up for it!! http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/68865222

Updated on Feb 5th 2012 at 5:38 PM from the JustGiving API

2nd training run was very cold. Set off -7 degrees and after an hour my water bottle froze! A bit bumpy between Stratford and Lapworth but it's another 37 miles in the bag. Hopefully the weather is a little warmer for the first hill training session next weekend http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/67067538

Updated on Feb 1st 2012 at 5:24 PM from the JustGiving API

Second training run will be a solo affair. I'm heading out from Leamington heading to Stratford via Hampton Lucy and Charlecot House then up the canal from Stratford to Lapworth then back down to Warwick by the canal again. Heading out about 8:30am if anyone fancies joining me??? Been out and scouted a few hills to train on. The bonus being there is a nice pub at the top :0) right off to spinning for a sweat. Wish me luck…

Updated on Jan 28th 2012 at 11:21 AM from the JustGiving API

Bike now serviced and ready for the first training run courtesy of The Bike Yard Leamington. Many thanks to them!!

Updated on Jan 27th 2012 at 7:13 AM from the JustGiving API

Well I'm on my way to raising my target amount. Thanks Jo for getting me started. Our first training run is planned for Saturday it's a steady 40 or so miles from Leamington up to Draycot water. We'll do a few laps round there then back along the canal. If the weather holds out it should be a good day. For those of you who would like to follow the route have a look at this link http://soc.li/ONJnhG More updates to follow!! D

<p>Me and a few friends are planning to cycle from coast to coast, Whitehaven to Tynemouth a) to see if we can do it and b) to raise a few quid for charity at the same time.&nbsp;</p> <p>We're going to start in Whitehaven on the 5th May and hopefully finish in Tynemouth on May 7th. That equates to approximately 50 miles a day!</p> <p>The route is approximately 140miles long with climbs of around 2000ft.</p> <p>I'm raising money for Rheumatoid Arthritis as my wife suffers from it along with another friend of ours, the money will be going towards research into the problem and into the drugs needed to relieve the painful symptoms. For more information please see&nbsp;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rheumatoid_arthritis</p> <p>Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.</p> <p>Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving &ndash; they&rsquo;ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they&rsquo;ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it&rsquo;s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.</p> <p>So please dig deep and donate now.</p>