**** Update****

 

I am less than half the man I used to be. I now weight 15st 9lb having now lost 16st 3lb.

 

 

Well the day has been and gone. The muscles are slowly recovering and the next challenge gets thought about!

 

It was a great day, weather was superb if a little breezy.

 

6 of us met up at the Humber Bridge car park. Myself, Kev, Gaz, Mike, Dawn and Tom. Time for a few handshakes, hugs and a quick couple of pics then off.

Set off great but Gaz started finding the going tough from the start. Unfortunately he had to stop before half way, to be honest, I think we persuaded him to stop. We explained this was supposed to be a challenging ride BUT it was to be fun too. So we got Dawn to come pick him up and carried on our way. Thank you for at least trying Gaz. You're more than welcome to come along to the next one. Get some training in :-)

 

The hills before Market Weighton were tough but the knowledge that after these it was pretty flat kept my chin up. The long descent the other side saw me get to 36mph on the bike :-)

 

Halfway point was a quick fuel up with food and energy bars. Then it was off on the last half.

 

The head wind was proving to be making it more tough but Kev and Mike were taking turns in front with me tucked behind getting a little help from the slipstream. When Kev was at the front, his fitness level showed itself. He was a tough guy to keep up with but we managed it.

 

Got to York and the sight of the York wall made me get a little emotional. I think the reality of what I am achieving was sinking in. 12 months ago, if someone said I'd be cycling 40 miles in a day I think I would have knocked their block off or had them locked up for their own safety. We arrived at the Minster greeted by Gaz, Dawn, Tom, Dave and Trace. It was gloriously sunny and we were all very happy.

 

I'd like to thank you all for the wonderful amount of sponsership money you have help me raise and also for the great support, words of encouragement and help on the day with lifts etc. Without you all, it wouldn't have been possible.

 

I'd like to thank all my colleagues at Yorkshire Water for the initial support covering my shifts after my operation 10 months ago and their wonderful comments and encouragement to me through my journey. I'd like to thank all the members of Astraownersnetwork.co.uk (Where I actually know Mike, Kev, Gaz, Dawn, Tom, Dave and Trace from) for their ongoing support. My immediate family in Sheffield and my family in Hull for the strength and help immediately after my operation and the continued support through the hard times before I started getting better.

 

Last but not least I would like to thank Rachel, my fiancé, and her children Stephen, Lucy and Sarah whom I love with all my heart and who all initially made me want to do this. I know it's been worrying at the time of my operation and thank you for your love. It helped me through the times when it was tough. I love you all more than words can say xxxxxx

 

Mickie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi guys and gals.

 

I know you might have heard about my weightloss journey I am going through at the moment. My next goal is that I'm riding from the Humber Bridge to York Minster with a few of my friends from the Astra Owners Network. The journey is 38 miles. I set myself these little goals as I am slowly winning my battle against obesity. I set myself targets to aim for to motivate myself. I was 31st 10lb. So far I have lost 13st 10lb and I'm so much healthier and happier. Without my friends from Astra Owners Network, my loving families from Sheffield and Hull and my friends who I don't see as often as I should but keep in contact with on FaceBook, their constant words of encouragement, I wouldn't have been able to do it.

 

My ultimate goal is going to be to cycle the coast to coast in the UK.

 

I wanted to do a little something and also raise a little money for charity if I could. It's not anything I've done before and the only charity I could think of was Andreas Gift. I decided on Andreas Gift as it's the main charity Astra Owners Network raises money for. I'm part of Admin on Astra Owners Network and have met some lovely people on there. When some of them found out I was wanting to do this a few of them said they'd come along too, sharing the ride with a few friends, I thought it was sounding like a very great day.

 

Michael Wright (WrightyM) and Kevin Challenger (KevC) are 2 friends who are so far doing the ride with me.

 

This is the route we plan on taking. Just in case anyone wants to hurl abuse at me! We hopefully be setting off at around 12:00 from the carpark at The Humber Bridge

 

http://www.dailymile.com/routes/114473-cycling-route-in-holme-upon-spalding-moor-gb

 

We will be stopping half way just after Market Weighton at Langlands Garden Centre, York Road, Shiptonthorpe, York YO43 3PN‎ for a short rest and refreshments. Roughly get there around 13:30

 

Get to York Minster between 15:30 and 16:00

 

Anything you can donate will be appreciated.

 

Thank you for your Kindness

 

Mickie Ness

 

PS. Bit of an update. Because of the training I am doing I have lost more weight. I am now 17st 2lb with a total loss of 204lb or 14st 8lb.

 

PPS Another update. 16st 12lb this week. Doing extra training and it's paying off.

 

ppps Last weigh in before the challenge. 16st 9lb this morning. 211lb total lost or 15st 1lb. I'm ready for the ride!!