On ya bike Mike!
Michael Arnaouti is raising money for Sport Relief
Participants: Dallaglio Foundation, Sport Relief, Cancer Research UK, Help for Heroes, The Rugby Players Association Benevolent Fund, DebRA, Leukaemia Research.
Story
Hello to all my sponsors,
I wanted to let everyone know that I manged to complete Stage 4 of the DGSC last Thursday, 4 March all in one piece, though I'm not sure if my backside would agree with me on that one!
The five day and nearly 500k ride was a challenge, but really good fun. I also met some great people along the way and we had some fantastic weather, not one drop of rain from Twickenham to Fishguard - who would have bet on that? I also had the privilege of being awarded the prized Yellow Jersey to wear on the last day from Carmathan to Fishguard - I don't think this was because I was the overall race leader, more likley because I was the biggest chicken going down the hills!
Whilst the mountains of Wales (and a heavy night on the town in Cardiff) took their toll on me, I felt really strong at the end. So much so that I convinced myself to continue the ride for another week and a further 500k through the final Stage 5 - across to Ireland, up to Dublin and then back across into Scotland where the ride finishes today at Murrayfield. Thank goodness I realised in the nick of time that I had forgotten my passport, and of course that it was my wife's 50th birthday this week as well!
The fact is I think I'm now pretty hooked on my cycling and am busy looking for my next big challenge, so watch this space and keep your wallets at the ready!
Talking of money, the main reason for updating my page is to say a Massive Thank You to all of you who have supported me with your kind words of encouragement and generous sponsorship. With your help, I've raised £3,025.00 so far for the Sport Relief and Dallagilio Trust charities (to be spit 50/50), and if I add on the Gift Aid tax break to your donations the total is almost £4,000. Knowing that this money will be used for two such worthy causes makes winter training and effort that much more rewarding.
Best wishes to all of you - and get on your bikes and ride, you'll love it!
Mike
I wanted to let everyone know that I manged to complete Stage 4 of the DGSC last Thursday, 4 March all in one piece, though I'm not sure if my backside would agree with me on that one!
The five day and nearly 500k ride was a challenge, but really good fun. I also met some great people along the way and we had some fantastic weather, not one drop of rain from Twickenham to Fishguard - who would have bet on that? I also had the privilege of being awarded the prized Yellow Jersey to wear on the last day from Carmathan to Fishguard - I don't think this was because I was the overall race leader, more likley because I was the biggest chicken going down the hills!
Whilst the mountains of Wales (and a heavy night on the town in Cardiff) took their toll on me, I felt really strong at the end. So much so that I convinced myself to continue the ride for another week and a further 500k through the final Stage 5 - across to Ireland, up to Dublin and then back across into Scotland where the ride finishes today at Murrayfield. Thank goodness I realised in the nick of time that I had forgotten my passport, and of course that it was my wife's 50th birthday this week as well!
The fact is I think I'm now pretty hooked on my cycling and am busy looking for my next big challenge, so watch this space and keep your wallets at the ready!
Talking of money, the main reason for updating my page is to say a Massive Thank You to all of you who have supported me with your kind words of encouragement and generous sponsorship. With your help, I've raised £3,025.00 so far for the Sport Relief and Dallagilio Trust charities (to be spit 50/50), and if I add on the Gift Aid tax break to your donations the total is almost £4,000. Knowing that this money will be used for two such worthy causes makes winter training and effort that much more rewarding.
Best wishes to all of you - and get on your bikes and ride, you'll love it!
Mike