24 August 08 - 15:38Countdown!
Well, a week today I'll be setting off for London, then down to Penzance and on to Land's End...before heading North, going via the Severn Bridge, Manchester, Edinburgh, Inverness and finally John o'Groats..., arriving on 22nd September.
I'm starting to feel apprehensive about the trip and really looking forward to being underway. The stakes are getting a bit higher - thanks to everyone's generosity we have now had £11, 200 pledged - so each mile really matters! I've started wondering about what could go wrong: what I'll do if my bike gets stoled (I do have a number of locks, including locks to keep the panniers on!); or what if I get really wet at the start of a day's cycling and can't get warm and dry to recharge my batteries?; or what if I suffer with my back as a result of a soft bed?; or get really lost? (I'm bound to sometimes, especially as country lanes can be hard to navigate, but I will have a compass with me). I really want to complete the whole ...
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12 August 08 - 15:473 weeks to go!
Well, 3 weeks today I should be underway!
I've received a fantastic response to my letter, and so far, over £7, 600 has been pledged - a HUGE thankyou to everyone! We're also getting some more publicity, the Beccles and Bungay Journal have published an article about the bike ride, and my daughter will publish a press release when I set off... so all systems go for a great cause, and in the meantime, I'll keep on training!
Peter
07 August 08 - 18:38So, What's it all about?
No, not life, but my cycle ride!
I've done a number of long distance cycle rides over the years, and always used my bike locally as a means of transport, but what has spurred me to action is the financial needs of Ringsfield Hall Trust. As many of you will know, I was involved with Ringsfield Hall for many years since its inception (over 37 years ago!), and there are some specific maintenance needs that need pressing attention, not the most exciting, but the very important gutters and re-wiring... and the 'guesstimate' is that these will cost between £15, 000 and £18,000 to do - this will have huge long term benefits, saving future expense and helping to preserve the building. Ringsfield Hall Trust have an excellent web site if you want to find out more about their work... www.ringsfield-hall.co.uk
So, I'm seeking sponsorship for this very worthy cause. I plan to cycle from land's End to John O'Groats in giatric fashion, taking 3 weeks and staying at Youth Hostels ...
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04 August 08 - 22:42
Hello!
Welcome to my blog about my forthcoming cycle ride from Lands End to John O'Groats... not bad for a 75 year old! I'll do a full entry within the next week and tell you more about the charity I'm raising money for (Ringsfield Hall Trust) and also about how my training is going... so far Ok, although my practise to Cambridge (98 miles) was very wet... and then my chain broke... but it was all a good learning experience!
When I actually set off on my expedition, my blog will be updated by my daughter and grandson, so you'll be able to track my progress, and technology permitting, there may even be some photos.
Peter
