Folks,
This is a bit lighter than my other posts but that is not such a bad thing. I managed to complete the Prudential Ride London cycle. Not the 19 mile, or the 46 mile but the 100mile!!
It was a great day out. I planned everything to the last detail. I got my wife to take me and my bike to the starting area only to find that the roads were closed. I had to cycle an extra 4 mile to the start at the Olympic Stadium.
I met another cyclist who had parked off a side street on the A12. He told be of his plan to do the race and then drive home. How shocked was he when I told him the race actually finishes at Buckingham Palace at the other end of London.
My next problem was over-hydration!!!. Normally dehydration is the issue but I drank two litres of water on route. It must be a male over 55 thing but thank goodness there were lots of toilets on route.
What really amazed me were the number of people doing the race for a charity. Prostrate Cancer had over 650 riders. MacMillan over 600 and blood cancer up there too. All their volunteers were at the roadside cheering them on, blowing whistles and ringing bells.
Poor old BTA only had a few riders. That probably reflects society's attitude to T. It is only us lot that really understands the impact of a made up noise inside one's head. Anyway, I did my bit and have raised over £1,000. I am quite lucky in that when I am cycling I don't notice it too much. That is a blessing in itself. It keeps me just on the side of sanity.
A big thanks to the BTA for supporting me with this fundraiser. It must be hard for them to compete with the big "heart-string tuggers" such as GOSH and Cancer UK. It was truly great to see so many people doing something to make a difference. I was reading all their cycling tops as they whizzed by. I did not know that I could get such a wide range of life threatening conditions and illnesses. It made me feel quite pleased that I had got this far. This life game is without doubt a bit of a lottery. It is not too late to click on the link and make a small donation.
uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ad...
I have put my name in the ballot to do it next year. Maybe some of you would like to give it a go. I am now in the recovery phase. This involves eating cake and sleeping. Apparently this will help me to get my glycogen levels back to normal. Maybe some of you could do this stage instead!!!
Wishing you all peace and quiet.
Ade