Rain Miles Today

Woke up this morning and guess what - it was raining - ever since the drought arrived it hasn't stopped raining.  Well went out today for my usual 31 miles ride round Leigh Southend seafront Barling and back to Rayleigh.  This time I tried the Tom Tom Go 700 I have had for years with a new cycle handlebar holder that I bought from ebay.  The holder is superb to say the least it is waterproof so kept it dry and still allowed me to hear John Cleese telling me which way to go round the route. As it only took a couple of hours the battery was still ok. Bought a few things for the ride today like a saisbury basic pan only 1.98 that should do for the beans on toast (bread).  Well now less than a week and I and the others are raring to go. 

Yesterday went to Fairhavens part of the Havens Hospices who will benefit from the ride and had an excellent visit with the staff  who do a brilliant job.  Painted a picture which does actually look like one as part of the diversionary therapy session.  Thanks to Angela and all the staff for their time.

Sunday again

Well everybody only two weeks to go and we are really starting on the countdown to the ride.  We have sold our first badge on Ebay to Debbie in Swindon so thanks Debbie just 200 to go and we will be into raising more for trhe three charities.  Went to Virgin gym and did my workout so got the sweat running and the arms and legs tired so hopefully the run down to the start will be relaxing ready for the hard slog.  If anyone is interested in the root you can buy a badge and email me at end2end12@gmail.com and I will send you a copy.  Raising money is really difficult now a days taking into account the problems with buisnesses etc so all those who have donated great all those who havent you still can.

Can I also plead with the Unions and employers on the fuel dispute - please delay any strike until after the ride I dont want my support vehicle to run out of diesel.  In fact if you can spare a few litres it will cut the cost of the trip leaving more for Charity.

Thanks everyone.

See you soon.

Todays trip

Hi - got some new kit yesterday from Decathlon so had to try it out.  Waterproof jacket (but it didn't rain) which is green flourescent so that you will not miss me when I fly past. I can say that although the weather this morning around Leigh, Southend Barling Rochford etc was sunny and dry -  blimey was it cold!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I think I learnt a lesson this morning and that is to take with me on the ride my winter cycling trousers, tops and jackets as well as the waterproof ones.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available.  Contact us on end2end12@gmail.com

Spare tyres arrived this morning after buying then relatively cheaply on Ebay so with the spare tubes I am hoping of course that I wont need them but you cannot be sure.

Celebration day today because I have now gone past the 1000 miles training on this new bike I bought especially for the ride.

Southend Echo

Well it is getting closer to that time when we will be packing up and heading North.  For those who are following the blog we had a visit from the Southend Echo who have put into their paper a good photograph and article outlining the ride.  Thanks to Emma and the photographer for their input and help in publicising the event.  Good causes deserve support and I know in these financially challenging times businesses have their own problems but if you are a cycle firm or even a large supermarket chain I am sure you can spare even small donations to either the three charities or how about sparing a puncture repair outfit, tyres, tubes or anything towards the upkeep of the bikes themselves during the trip. Our biggest expense will be fuel and although thanks go to the London Borough of Havering for the loan of the Minibus and first tank of fuel we will need to top up a few times.

You can get in touch by leaving a comment on this blog or email me at end2end12@gmail.com and Thanks so far to all those who have sponsored the team, made donations and bought badges.

More Planning of the Route

Yesterday following the morning trip I set about planning the definitive route from John O'Groats to Lands End.  Now I know you may say there are easier ways of doing it than looking at a road atlas and following the roads with mileage etc but that is the way I did it when I did the trip in 2001 and I find it the easier way.  Now that I have the definitive route I am prepared to share it if anyone requires it after the ride.  It will also give me the chance to check how things are and whether anything has changed.

If anyone wants to sponsor the trip they can do it through the Rotary Club of Rayleigh Mill website or through the purchase of a pin badge which are for sale on Ebay at the following link.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290694754050?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Sunday Trip

Welcome to all those who have been following this blog for the End to End Charity ride by some members of the Rotary Club of Rayleigh Mill and hello to all those new to it.  This is the build up to the actual ride which starts on the 5th May with us travelling up to John O Groats ready for a 6th May start.  Todays ride included Mike Cocks who, although full of man flu, managed the 35 miles around Canewdon, Wallasea Island, Southend, Chalkwell Hawkwell and Hockley before returning to Rayleigh and Hullbridge.  Congratulations to Mike and Nicola on the new baby - is it to be called JOGLE after the ride we are doing.  Doubt it!!!  Anyone interested in sponsorship of the ride get in touch.  Well back to work after a week off tomorrow wonder what is in store - just have to wait.  See you all soon - follow the Blog!!!!!

Canvey Island - pleasant run

Morning everyone - todays special ride was trying to find somewhere different - with a bit of new scenary so decided I would head off for a tour of Canvey Island.  What a great place to cycle especially when you are able to go round the coast and along the seafront.  Great weather as well so much so that the Lycra shorts got an airing today.  A few knockback from some potential sponsors but at least they replied to the letters I delivered as I went round last Saturday.  So todays ride was 36 miles because I then headed down to Southend and along the seafront there up to Thorpe Bay, Barling and then Rochford and back up the A127 to Rayleigh Weir and Rayleigh Town for the finish.  By the time I got back the sun was shining and the whole trip was enjoyable.

If anyone can sponsor the ride then please contact us via the Rayleigh Mill Website.

We desperately need sponsorship for the fuel and some spares.  See you Tomorrow.

Beached Ship

North Wales today

Morning everyone reading this blog - firstly have you all bought one of my charity pin badges see pin badges blog below for the link to ebay where you can buy one.  Now for this morning - woke up here in Abergele North Wales and the weather is not bad at least the sun is shining and the wind farms can be seen off shore.  Out onto the sea front cycle track and head towards Conwy.  If anyone remembers the ship that beached I cycled to it this morning may be able to up[load picture for you all.  Cycle track blocked off with crime scene tape so cant go through - turned round and headed off to Rhyl - brilliant cycle tracks and very friendly people - worth a visit.

Post a comment if you want. Bye for today.

Todays blog - Carlisle tester

Hi everyone - went out this morning for a trip around Carlisle.  Used the new West to North ring road which has a fantastic cycle track.  This bypass cuts out the need to go through the town centre and I can thoroughly recommend it. Having moved up to Carlisle from Rayleigh which has presently a hosepipe ban then Carlisle has the complete opposite and has not stopped raining apart from the brief respite this morning when I went out for the 15 mile trip.

Todays Trip

Today I have been out again just a short 21 miles to deliver letters to various potential sponsors around the Rayleigh, Castle Point, Hadleigh, Leigh on Sea and Southend area.  It really is difficult to get support from anyone but friends and colleagues however I know with the financial times we live in then things are tough and at least I and the team are fit enough to do the ride itself.

Thanks must go to the London Borough of Havering for the support vehicle.

Todays little round the corner trip

Had a quick trip out for an easy 15 miles around the rural areas of Essex - up to Latchingdon and then back to Rayleigh so wasnt really much of a push apart from the uphill just outside of South Woodham Ferrers towards Hyde Hall the Royal Horticultural Society Gardens.  Well worth a visit but for some reason it wasnt open at 6.45 this morning.

Buy a Pin Badge

To purchase this pinbadge go to Ebay and search  End2End2012 Charity Pin Badges

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290694754050?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Circulation of Blog

Hi everyone - I have now circulated the blog to all of Rotary District 1240 as well Rayleigh Mill and the London Borough of Havering.  It is important to say that without the minibus sponsored by Havering the whole journey would have been that much harder to undertake.  At this time I would like to thank everyone who has sponsored me so far and say to other businesses that it is not too late to bring the money in for more.  Anyone who would also like to purchase a pin badge with the logo identified on this blog can do so by visiting ebay and searching for End2End2012 pinbadges and the buy it now price of 3.50 + postage.  I know you say but the post office have to have their cut even from charities. If you know me or any members of the Rotary Club of Rayleigh Mill they are available from us to save postage costs.

Watch out for the next instalment of this blog.

Charities being supported

The Charities that will share the profit from the ride will be - Havens Hospices incorporating Little Havens and Fairhavens from Essex, St Francis Hospice, Romford Essex and the Rotary International End Polio Campaign.

Training

About four months ago I purchased a new bike from ebay.  It is a Dawes Discovery 301 Tourer. The bike was in an immaculate condition and came from Scotby Cycles at Carlisle.  Since buying the bike I have so far covered some 850 miles with only one puncture so I am doing well at the moment.  The training tends to be comprised of Gym work and road cycling which gives me the experience of dodging traffic with a bit of defensive cycling. I have also done a number of miles with my other bikes so all in all so far I have probably covered in excess of 1500 miles

The Planning Stages

One of the difficulties for the planning of any charity event is getting the sponsorship for things like:-

Minibus support vehicle - This has been done by the London Borough of Havering

Fuel -                                 Not sponsored yet

Accommodation -             Not sponsored yet