Story
I rode l'Étape du Tour this year to raise money for the MS Society. Throughout my life I've encountered a number of people who have been affected MS. When I was in my early teens, I lost one of my favourite teachers to MS and, most recently, a friend was diagnosed with MS. All my miles this year are dedicated to them.
You can now read about my experience, have a look at my GPS track, look at pictures of event, and see how I placed.
If you're curious about the dude in the picture with the big moustache, read this blurb I wrote Of Moustaches and Mountains.
Training
I'll be putting a few of my longer or more interesting training rides up here.
26 June, 2010 - The Long One sportive, 200km in the South Downs
28 May - 1 June, 2010 - Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5 - Paris to Geneva (pics)
16 May, 2010 - Cornwall Tor, Cornwall (pics)
25 April, 2010 - Up and Downs sportive, Dorking
28 March, 2010 - Outdoor Show 100, Birmingham
14 Feb, 2010 - Montserrat Loop, Barcelona (pics)
2 Jan, 2010 - Betancuria, Fuerteventura (pics)
4 Oct, 2009 - Blenheim bike festival, UK (pics)
My Inspiration (and my gimmick)
L'Étape this year celebrates the 100th anniversary of the first time Le Tour went through the Pyrenees. The stage is 181km long and finishes atop the Col du Tourmalet. The Tour that year was won by Octave Lapize who had a truly impressive moustache. I figure that's the secret to taming the Tourmalet -- a big old soup-strainer.
Training is vital for l'Étape and so I grew a practice moustache in November. You can see pics of this early attempt here. I'll start growing my true competitive 'tache in June.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’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’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
So please dig deep and donate now.
You can now read about my experience, have a look at my GPS track, look at pictures of event, and see how I placed.
If you're curious about the dude in the picture with the big moustache, read this blurb I wrote Of Moustaches and Mountains.
Training
I'll be putting a few of my longer or more interesting training rides up here.
26 June, 2010 - The Long One sportive, 200km in the South Downs
28 May - 1 June, 2010 - Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5 - Paris to Geneva (pics)
16 May, 2010 - Cornwall Tor, Cornwall (pics)
25 April, 2010 - Up and Downs sportive, Dorking
28 March, 2010 - Outdoor Show 100, Birmingham
14 Feb, 2010 - Montserrat Loop, Barcelona (pics)
2 Jan, 2010 - Betancuria, Fuerteventura (pics)
4 Oct, 2009 - Blenheim bike festival, UK (pics)
My Inspiration (and my gimmick)
L'Étape this year celebrates the 100th anniversary of the first time Le Tour went through the Pyrenees. The stage is 181km long and finishes atop the Col du Tourmalet. The Tour that year was won by Octave Lapize who had a truly impressive moustache. I figure that's the secret to taming the Tourmalet -- a big old soup-strainer.
Training is vital for l'Étape and so I grew a practice moustache in November. You can see pics of this early attempt here. I'll start growing my true competitive 'tache in June.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’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’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
So please dig deep and donate now.