Story
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On the 11 September Mike O'Neill (Yorkshire Maintenance Company) Neil Lamplough ( HBOS Withernsea) Nick Rutter and myself will be staring the C2C cycle ride. The ride is from Whitehaven to Sunderland across the bottom of the Lake District and over the Pennines. Its about 148 miles, which whilst its a long way, its the 8,890 feet of hills that we have to peddle up that will be the challenge.
When we decided to do this its fair to say that none of us were in any condition to take on this challenge and all under the influence of alcohol. As so often seems to happen momentum has increased and transformed alcohol induced bravardo into a situation where there is no turning back now.
The first training ride did not go well. Mike, Ivan Logan and I planned to go for a steady ride for an hour or so then all back to mine for breakfast. Ivan didn't look in the best of health when we finished although he did manage to eat all his breakfast. That was a Monday but by Wednesday he'd seen the doc and has since had a heart operation. Thankfully he's now ok and will be driving one of the support vehicles along with Bruce Raper and John Chambers
At this point Neil ( Lamps) was drafted in as first reserve.
The second training run wasn't much better. Mike and I decided to do a few miles having felt ok after the first run. Mike on his racing bike and me on my moutain bike. As he's a lot lighter and somewhat fitter than me I couldn't keep up. I was annoyed becasue he wouldn't wait for me he was annoyed becasue I couldn't keep up. After about 3 miles I decided I'd had enough so he carried on and I went home to sulk.
Since then we've all been doing the occasional ride. Neil and I on our own and Mike and Nick together. In the next few weeks we are going to do our first ride together. I expect fireworks. We'll update this page as we progress through training and also on the event if we can get internet access.
We are all now on a serious training regime. No gain without pain they say, well I can cope with burning lungs, a racing heart and leaden legs but these saddles are something else.
We are doing the ride for two charities so there are two justgiving pages one for each charity..
The record raised in sponsorship in doing a team event on the C2C is just over £13000. We are hoping to break that. It would be great if we could get £10k for each of the charities but appreciate that times are difficult for everyone at the moment.
Sponsorship at any level is gratefully appreciated and I hope that you will be able to assist us in breaking the £13k record.
If you are able to assist us we would prefer your donation to be split equally between the two pages on here but if you wish to chooose just one then thats no problem
We now have a second main sponsor. Mark Taylor has most generously donated £1,000 to the cause for which we are all very greatfull. We already have Cropton Brewery and both will feature on our clothing but there's still lots of room for your name or logo especially on my kit ! You'll get a mention in press releases and some other media stuff we are doing so if that is something that may be of interest then please contact me.
Paul Nick Neil and Mike
Update No1
11/07/09
This may well kill me !
The training is to say the least difficult. I seem to have great difficulty pedaling steering and breathing all at the same time. As I have no real prospect of turning into Lance Armstrong before 11 September I have decided to go the technical route.
I have invested in a heart rate monitor and I'm logging heart rate, speed,distance and cadence on the rides now and have adopted the online training plan developed by Polar. This should have me fit enough to do a 2 day event at 50km per day. Seeing is believing. A fellow Noble owner who was a cat1 proper cyclist and has trained the junior centre of excellence team is also giving me advice for which I'm most greatful.
This morning I bought some proper cycling shoes and clipless pedals which increase cycling efficiency by 30%. If I'm going to finish this ( which I am but it may be in an air ambulance) I need every trick in the book. As they say.. all the gear no idea !
Paul
Update 26/07/2009 Our first ride out as a team. After a desperate attempt to fix my bike on Saturday morning I have to accept the inevitable and purchase a new steed. My now regular weekend visit to Ken Ellekers results in the purchase a new mountain bike. Thanks to the guys there who prepared it in double quick time so I could join the others on the Sunday morning ride. I arrive to pick up Lamps and check that Mike and Rutter are setting off. One is still in bed with a hangover and the other appears to be in hiding. After a cup of tea and a chance to compare this week’s purchase in the quest to be the best dressed and kitted out cyclists in East Yorkshire we set off for the meet point. After waiting for about an hour and with promises that “we are just around the corner” , Lamps and I set off to Hornsea. Within 500 yards lamps feels the call of nature to strong to ignore. He jumps off and enters the bushed while I keep guard. Ten minutes later we are off again and within a short while Mike and Rutter catch us up. A steady ride to Hornsea follows with the prize of tea and toasted tea cakes at the café by the Mere. ( Rutter has the largest vanilla slice ever seen !) We set off back and face a head wind all the way. Mike and Rutter appear to have recovered from their early morning hangovers and peddle off into the distance leave Lamps and I to bring up the rear. It’s the longest ride I have done so far and apart from feeling a bit cream crackered all seems ok. There is a noticeable difference in fitness levels between us but I’m sure they catch me up soon !!!!!
Paul
19/08/09
Been a while since the last update and a lot has been going on. Accommodation is now sorted and paid for so we are committed or should be. Having the customer of the year award from Ken Elleker Cycles I now have the bike set up how I think I want it. Some end bars and a new saddle last week have mad an enormous improvement. I've also fathomed out how to stop the seat post slowly sliding down the tube as I ride which has been a big help.
In the quest to acquire every bit of advantage we can we have now been generously sponsored by Pheonix Select Food Ingredients Limited and Sportico Limited who have not only made a substantial financial contribution but will also be providing us with their Whizz energy drinks.
I had one last night before training and it seemed to make a hugh difference to my performance. Just need to neck about 10 of those a day and I'll fine.
Other highlights
the bad bits
Mike has had his first accident, fit but no talent !
Lamps has just realised that there are be hills- he's not happy
Rutter at 6"7 is proving a challenge to kit out. Anyone with a pair of size 15 cycling shoes spare?
The photo shoot didn't go too well as we seem to be unable to ride within 15 feet of each other
The good bits
It never ceases to amaze me how generous people are. The dosh is still coming in and we'll be having a bit of a push over the next couple of weeks. The totals on here need updating once I've checked who has got what.
07/09/2009
Three sleeps to go!
The bravado is disappearing and panic is now flowing through the camp. Three of us were in Lancashire at the weekend and the sight of hills and constant rain have dampened our enthusiasm somewhat.
The logistics are coming together, t-shirts and energy drinks have arrived and Blue Keld have kindly provided us with gallons of mineral water for the ride.
We have a bit of a problem with the backup team but hope to have that resolved by tomorrow. Light training this week for everyone (some of us have been doing nothing else!).
More drunken escapades have resulted in another challenge on route. Two particularly misguided and mentally disturbed associates of mine have offered £750 if I ride part of the route in just a mankini. Photographic proof is required. Watch this space.