Story
Well, I'm back in one piece and I made it! Massive thanks to all those people out there who met me along the way and donated. You know who you are!
Massive thanks also to the DA Crew of Kenny, Stuart and Brian and my fellow cyclists. It was a real pleasure to spend 11 days of pain with you all. I have so many memories and things to write but I won't put them here as it'd go on forever and I wouldn't know where to start. We have raised much more money than is shown here, I'm just waiting for final calculations from Willen then I'll update the amount.
Thanks again everyone, you're total stars and I'm knackered!
Just off now. Wish me luck.....
Well, here we go! Just a couple of days to go. Bike serviced by those top guys at Pinks and doing a couple of 30 milers this weekend to stay loose.
Been manic busy at work this last 2 weeks so no real time to do much. Managed a couple of 60-70 milers fairly comfortably but not long to go now.....
Huge thanks to all the people at work who have recently sponsored me, your support is really appreciated. I have just a few weeks to go until the big off so hope to get more training in. I seem to be constantly exhausted and I'm just a little bit apprehensive having now seen the route and hills etc! More pasta needed.
Well I made the weekends jaunt around Bucks, Berks and Oxon and lived to tell the tale. Streatly Hill was, however, quite a challenge. Don't tell anyone but I stopped 3/4 of the way up!
Amazingly, other than being physically drained on Monday I seem OK. This is the best excuse I've ever found for scoffing Haribo. Well, the second best anyway.
There was me moaning about the heat last week and now its the wind! Got 200 miles planned this weekend so I'm hoping that I get blown along and it changes course as I do!
The heats a killer. Back in the saddle, did 50 miles yesterday and was completely drained. 6 weeks to go and dreading it!
Treble Champions! The celebrating lads you see before you are Great Linford Dodgers (If I can actually get the picture to upload!). The "Dodgers" were not only double-winners this season but also became Tyreless champions at the home of the MK Dons. The boys took part in a penalty shoot-out competition raising £500 for the fund. Well done lads! Well done also to Luke who won the competion and bagged the Xbox prize (thanks to James for sponsorship) and Cal who raised the most money and took home the Dons prize (thanks again to our friends at Stadium:MK).
Where to start??!! Congratulations to Blaiky's TFG who won the inaugural Willen Cup at Stadium:MK last week. (I tried to play following 4 weeks of rest from cycling but my knee wouldn't have it). Most importantly, the Op Tyreless launch event of the football tournament and charity auction was amazing. The evening was a sell-out and the cash raised was staggering (its now included in the total here).
I don't have enough Kilobytes of cyberspace on my webpage to say thanks and to do justice to everyone who made it a success. The Dons and their volunteers were amazing - truly a community focused football club. The teams themselves were brilliant and the managers, Blaiky, Neil, Kev and Gary worked their socks off. Thanks guys. Huge respect and thanks to all the players who raised loads of money and played hard but fair. Thanks.
Massive thanks to the refereeing officials, John, John, Luke and Mather and the filming crew, photographer and physio (sorry, I didn't get all your names!) who all gave their time and expertise free of charge. Big thanks to John from MKPD and his team of stewards and Sam and her Special team too. We couldn't have managed without you.
Our auction MC, Simon, was world class, thanks mate.
If ever you get a chance to see "Mad Mods and Englishmen" then do so. From the Kinks to Weller, they were brilliant and gave their time free. Amazing contribution - thanks fellas.
Finally, Lee, our Goalkeeper, is recovering following a shuddering collision with Wozza. He was concussed but is OK now despite spending 5 hours in MK A+E to be told to go home. Very disappointing service.
Finally a massive thanks to everyone who came out to take part in any way from MK Police and other groups. I know I've missed loads of people and I'm so sorry, please forgive me, you all played your part.
Finally, finally, Michelle, you continue to be a total star.
Now where are my new padded shorts.....
The season is now finished and I never got back to it! Haven't been back out on the bike either as I'm resting my knee to see if it helps. Frustration is getting the better of me!!
Having dealt with some of the nastiest thugs society has to offer and been in some pretty hair-raising situations involving weaponry, bricks and bottles never have I been so scared as I was yesterday. I presented at the Shenley Brook End School leavers assembly - 200+ teens on their last day! Save to say they were gentle with me thank goodness and even contributed £50 to the fund - thanks guys!
So the football season is coming to a close and I haven't played for 2 months! The knee is still somewhat swollen and after 2 seventy mile days on the bike over recent weeks it hasn't got any better. I have resolved myself now to not training at all on it for the next 2-3 weeks to see if that does the trick otherwise it's back off to the docs!
I can't believe its April! - Still struggling with my knee although I did a few miles last week. Plenty of rest and ice should sort it, hopefully, within a few weeks. Hardly done any aerobic exercise which is probably why the Doc on my work check-up said I was slightly overweight - unbelievable!!
What's even more unbelievable however is that you folks have donated over £1000 with gift aid - thank you so much, you really will make a difference.
I've decided to set myself a £5k target - it's going to be stretching I know but I also know that we can do it!!
Mid - March - Following a daft knee injury playing for the Saints I've been pretty much training-free for a while. Got back on the Gym bike today and did 20 miles. I know, I know, not alot but it's a start. I saw a bit of the Sport Relief team doing LE 2 JO'G on their bikes and its scared me rotten!
Massive thanks to donors so far - just short of a grand in a month - quite remarkable.
Early March - I haven't been back out on the bike yet, it's so cold and my nether regions are yet to recover from last time. I will keep trying and when the footy season finishes in May I'll get hard at it!
Talking of football the tournament is taking shape well so I'm told - bring on the gladiatorial contest. I know who my money is on!
Almost 600 quid with gift aid in just 2 weeks - you people really are fantastic - thank you so much. Michelle and I went to Willen last week, it's an incredible place and the strength shown there by those receiving support and by staff is quite humbling.
Late Feb update - I did forty miles on my bike as my first traing session. It took 2+ hours and I could hardly walk afterwards (and I thought I was fit!). This is going to be hard and I've got a long way to go, literally!
Thanks to everyone who has donated so far - almost £400 inc gift aid in a week, I'm genuinely gobsmacked - thank you so much.
The footy tournament is developing well - thanks Michelle. x
Operation Tyreless is me and a bunch of other police folk and mates doing some stuff over the course of the next 10 months to raise cash for Willen Hospice in MK and The Prostate Cancer Research Foundation. These two charities epitomise what's going in tirelessly fighting cancer. Willen are doing some amazing work to take care of people dealing with life-limiting illness whilst the PCRF are working hard behind the scenes to prevent prostate cancer and raise awareness.
http://www.willen-hospice.org.uk/
The picture above is me picking up my new bike from Alex Pink of Pinks in Newport to start training in earnest for my 1000+ trek in August. I'm getting very worried already!
http://www.roypinkcycles.co.uk/
However, the first event is a charity football tournament in MK in May. Teams fighting (not literally!, then again, who knows...) for the Willen cup will be MK Police, Crime Support, The TFG and St Johns (my team).
More details will follow, thanks for your support..........