Thanks for visiting my fundraising page. I sinserely hope you can help by supporting this event with your sponsorship.  The more people supporting us, the more incentive I will have to put my HEART into it !

I have a "ride buddy" this year - Paul is travelling all the way from Houston just to take part.  I lived in Houston for several years, so our team name is "The Texas Misfits".  The 100 mile off-road Randonee will be a major challenge for us since we both suffer from back problems (prolapsed discs).  A bike with good suspension is essential for obvious reasons when you're expecting to ride for 12 hours!  Combining the personal chanllenge with raising funds for such a worthwhile cause gives the whole event a genuine purpose.  Adding your support will make such a difference to us.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: British Heart Foundation gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor "The Texas Misfits" now!  We promise to do our best !!

Post-ride notes - Paul and I started at 6am from a very foggy Winchester but were forced to retire at Steyning just below Truleigh Hill.  Given the time, 4.30pm, and Paul's left leg causing him lots of trouble (permanent nerve damage as a result of old prolapsed discs L5/S1 and L4/L5) resulting in an increasing need to walk the steeper parts of the climbs, we decided that we would never get to Eastbourne before sundown.  I can't say I was firing on all cylinders either, having crashed my bike the week before the ride and needing surgery & 2 days in hospital to recover. Not the best preparation, is it?

We still enjoyed the 60 miles we did complete and Paul is really keen to come back for another try.  He is seriously impressed by both the beauty of the scenery and the physical challenge of the South Downs Way. The magnitude of the challenge is far greater than any off-raoding he has done in Texas.  That has got to be a first - something bigger and tougher than Texas can throw at you!