Hi

I DID IT!!!!!!!!! More details below in the updates!

 

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit my fundraising page. On the 16 April 2011 a group of cyclist will be departing from the North of France heading to Lourdes in the South. We'll be cycling approximately 530 miles over the course of seven days. We'll be cycling between 50 to 115 miles a day!

 

So now that I've told you how difficult it will be please help me out by donating money!!

 

HCPT The Pilgrimage Trust is a charity I've been working with for 13 years now. I've been travelling to Lourdes with HCPT helping to care for the amazing young sick, disabled and needy children they bring to Lourdes each Easter. This is a fantastic charity which relies solely on donations from very generous people, like yourself!!

 

I'll be raising money for central funds for HCPT. These central funds are essential to the continued work of the Trust.

 

Please, please, please dig deep and make a donation. Anything you give will be greatly appreciated and will help me peddle that bit harder!

 

If your interested in taking part in the cycle or want to find out more about the work of HCPT The Pilgrimage Trust please visit www.hcpt.org.uk

 

Thank you

 

Paul

 

 

 

Update 25/10/2010 - I now know what they mean by 'saddle sore'!! Just finished the practice cycle in Rugby at the end of two weeks training. Ouch!

 

Update 28/12/2010 - I decided to scare myself today and see how many more days there were until the cycel!! 109 days!!! I think I can well and truely say that the training plan I had in mind when I signed up to this challenge back in April hasn't gone to plan. I thought by this stage I'd be giving Lance Armstrong a run for his money.  Sadly that is not the case. That's not to say I'm not on the case. Granted the last few weeks have been a bit fo a write off with the snow but I've signed up at the gym again today so that the weather can't interupt the training going forward. On the fundraising front I'm glad to say I'm ahead of where I thought I'd be, but still have  a long way to go so feel free to help out.

 

Update 31/01/2011 - Last weekend was the third practice cycle. Not all of the cyclist were able to attend but those of us who did had fun!! Well........ when I say fun we were frozen on Saturday with tempreatures of -2 and then add the wind chill!!! I managed to pick up one puncture on Saturday over the course of the 33 mile route. On Sunday morning we headed off to complete a 56 mile route. I managed to get to 20 miles by which time I had picked up 3 puntures and was frozen solid again!! As you can imagine I was not impressed when I had to call it a day!!! At least I've learnt that I need to get tougher tyres before I try to cycle the real thing.

 

Update 05/02/2011 - I am very glad that I changed my tyres!!!! I had a great cycle today. Did a nice 20 mile route from Tottenham out to Barnet. There are some very tough hills along the route which is great for training. I managed to run the tyres through some glass as well and they just kept on rolling!!! HAPPY DAYS!!!!!! Fundraising is going well at the moment but please don't feel shy in giving whatever you want!!!

 

Update 12/02/2011 - Another good cycle today. The tyres are holding up very well! I managed to get in 50 miles today around Harrow with my dad and brother in law. Hopefully another successful week of cycling ahead. Only nine weeks now!!!!!

 

Update 06/03/2011 - The wheels have been holding up well. No punctures since I changed the tyres!! Training has been going well too. In four weeks I'll have the last practice cycle with the other 13 fantastic cyclists who are taking part in the cycle from Chartres to Lourdes. Lots of hard work between now and then!!

 

Update 23/03/2011 - Getting ready for another big weekend of training!! Heading out on Saturday to cycle 60 miles and on Sunday to complete 80 miles. Good times!! The route has now been set for the big cycle... more details to follow. Thanks to all those who have sponsored me so far. Please feel free to give if you haven't already!!

 

Update 28/03/2011 - Successful weekend. Completed the 60 miles on Saturday and 80 miles on Sunday! I'm not feeling too bad today either. I'm not sure I'd like to get on a bike again today though!! Just under three weeks to go now.

 

Update 22/04/2011 - Well I did it!!!!! I arrived into Lourdes in the middle of a thunder storm having finished cycling 511.75 miles through France!! There were a few points in the week where I thought there was no way I would keep going but thanks to the great support team and my fellow cyclists I made it. I'll update the distances and times when I'm back in the UK. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me financially or with kind words.

 

 

 

 

PS - 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.