That's it!! No more Rabies jabs for me thank god!! Had the worst headache in the world, ever, yesterday. Not sure if it's related to the rabies vaccination but it felt like the right side of my brain was trying to squeeze out of my ear. Felt terrible!! Muscle spasms were back with a vengence... all good!!
Still feeling a little off today but at least I have 2 weeks off from jabs :)
Had another 2 sponsors so thank you to Ian Dunglinson and Ian Chalinder. Many thank to you both!!
New wheels arrived and have been set up, just need to get out and test them
Not riding tonight. Don't think I could handle it
15 Days, 15 Hours and 04 Minutes...
Total fundraising to date: £4420.19
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 913.8
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Saturday 28th October (Part 2)
Only got another 4 miles in this afternoon. Nothing to write home about really. Had to help my sister move 2 sofas. Think I burnt another 1000 calories just doing that.
Settling down with a nice (fat free) vodka for the night.
Hope to get back on the saddle tomorrow
18 Days, 16 Hours and 8 Minutes...
Total fundraising to date: £4375.19
Miles Rode Today: 24.2
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 913.8
Settling down with a nice (fat free) vodka for the night.
Hope to get back on the saddle tomorrow
18 Days, 16 Hours and 8 Minutes...
Total fundraising to date: £4375.19
Miles Rode Today: 24.2
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 913.8
Saturday 28th October (Part 1)
Part 1:
Decided to update my blog during my break during todays training.
Already knocked up 20.2 miles today on my X-Bike and plan to get back on after this and get at least another 10 - 15 miles in. Currently watching "The Great War" DVD box set to help pass the boredom of indoor cycling.
Plan to do another 30 tomorrow and at least 20 miles each night this week.
I've finally ordered my new wheels and hope to have them this coming week. Been a while since I got on me real bike so... as good as the X-Bike is, there's nothing quite like getting out in the real world and battling it with nature (i.e. alternating terrains, ascents/descents, weather, punctures :P)
Had an email from Catherine Rands who, like myself, is cycling across Vietnam on the 16th to raise money for charity. Must say a thank you to her for the literature she sent me for the challenge.
Not having recieved any documentation from the expedition company about training, or the like, Catherine sent me the latest training document for the challenge and OMG have I been lazy!! Hence the sudden urge to get super fit in super quick time!!
I should by now being doing 6 hour back to back rides on the weekend. Alas I've been concentrating on distance and time (I know it's not a race but...) where as I should have just been getting the hours in on the bike. Aiming for around 30 hours a week :(
D'oh!!
Have to say a massive thank you to my beautiful girlfriend Charlotte for her sponsor yesterday and her continuing support.
I've been a right grumpy so and so lately for numerous reasons. I know since having those jabs I've been a bit wierd to say the least or is it the fact I'm starting to get nervous of the challenge ahead?
Whatever it is I know it can't be easy for her so thank you Charlie xxx
Also like to thank her parents Chris and Susan for their sponsor. Thank you both!!
Right... breaktime over. Back on the saddle...
Total fundraising to date: £4375.19
Miles Rode Today: 20.2 (so far)
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 909.8 (so far)
Decided to update my blog during my break during todays training.
Already knocked up 20.2 miles today on my X-Bike and plan to get back on after this and get at least another 10 - 15 miles in. Currently watching "The Great War" DVD box set to help pass the boredom of indoor cycling.
Plan to do another 30 tomorrow and at least 20 miles each night this week.
I've finally ordered my new wheels and hope to have them this coming week. Been a while since I got on me real bike so... as good as the X-Bike is, there's nothing quite like getting out in the real world and battling it with nature (i.e. alternating terrains, ascents/descents, weather, punctures :P)
Had an email from Catherine Rands who, like myself, is cycling across Vietnam on the 16th to raise money for charity. Must say a thank you to her for the literature she sent me for the challenge.
Not having recieved any documentation from the expedition company about training, or the like, Catherine sent me the latest training document for the challenge and OMG have I been lazy!! Hence the sudden urge to get super fit in super quick time!!
I should by now being doing 6 hour back to back rides on the weekend. Alas I've been concentrating on distance and time (I know it's not a race but...) where as I should have just been getting the hours in on the bike. Aiming for around 30 hours a week :(
D'oh!!
Have to say a massive thank you to my beautiful girlfriend Charlotte for her sponsor yesterday and her continuing support.
I've been a right grumpy so and so lately for numerous reasons. I know since having those jabs I've been a bit wierd to say the least or is it the fact I'm starting to get nervous of the challenge ahead?
Whatever it is I know it can't be easy for her so thank you Charlie xxx
Also like to thank her parents Chris and Susan for their sponsor. Thank you both!!
Right... breaktime over. Back on the saddle...
Total fundraising to date: £4375.19
Miles Rode Today: 20.2 (so far)
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 909.8 (so far)
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Thursday 26th October
Cool as...
My story in the South Wales Argus 26/10/06
Had a really good response from the story in the Argus, didn't get as many people sponsoring as I anticipated but I can't expect that really. Money is pretty tight for everyone nowaday's. Still, having approx 200 visitors to my site over the last 2 days is all good :)
Must say a massive thank you to Keith Ross and Gary Harvey for their kind donations. Thank you both!!
Am going to go on a mad emailing spree soon. Need to try and raise as much as possible before I go, which happens to be...
20 Days, 16 Hours, 19 Minutes, 4, 3, 2 seconds
Total fundraising to date: £4250.19
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 889.6
My story in the South Wales Argus 26/10/06Had a really good response from the story in the Argus, didn't get as many people sponsoring as I anticipated but I can't expect that really. Money is pretty tight for everyone nowaday's. Still, having approx 200 visitors to my site over the last 2 days is all good :)
Must say a massive thank you to Keith Ross and Gary Harvey for their kind donations. Thank you both!!
Am going to go on a mad emailing spree soon. Need to try and raise as much as possible before I go, which happens to be...
20 Days, 16 Hours, 19 Minutes, 4, 3, 2 seconds
Total fundraising to date: £4250.19
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 889.6
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Wednesday 25th October
Oooh maaan that’s just typical!! The day I have my fame in the local press blogger is down so I can’t post my published article from the South Wales Argus :)
Bugga!!
Hope the story in the Argus helps me raise some funds, if not just raise awareness of St Anne’s hospice.
21 Days, 13 Hours, 50 Minutes - at time of writing
Edited later this evening when blogger was back up!! Will add newspaper scan tomorrow
Total fundraising to date: £4205.19
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 889.6
Bugga!!
Screen of Doooooom
USB Rocket Launcher Locked and Loaded
Hope the story in the Argus helps me raise some funds, if not just raise awareness of St Anne’s hospice.
21 Days, 13 Hours, 50 Minutes - at time of writing
Edited later this evening when blogger was back up!! Will add newspaper scan tomorrow
Total fundraising to date: £4205.19
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 889.6
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Tuesday 24th October
D'oh!! Still haven't ordered my wheels and I'm not using that as an excuse not to go out this weekend, just haven't had the time. I did attempt to order some online last night but got confused (undecided more like) on which ones to get.
Got 25 miles in tonight on the X-Bike. Not sore at all, no aches, pains etc... just got bored!! Pedalling like hell (and sweating like a pig in a butchers shop*) for over 2 hours and getting no where fast has a mental impact!! I actually tried to imagine being out on a dust track, wind in my hair, birds tweeting, gravel and dust spraying up, the downhill exhilaration, the uphill struggle and relief etc... didn't work... ended up watching some TV show on Asian Cooking (of the insect kind).
Was quite interesting although I think I'll stick to bananas and rice in Vietnam, with the exception that if I do get offered deep fried tarantula I'm taking the opportunity for revenge by biting it's head/ass/whatever off for all the years of fear it’s cousins have caused me!! Spiders! Urgh!! Or is it Arghhh!!
I feel I could do another 25 easily so I'm pretty happy with my current state of fitness, apart from the fact I STILL haven't given up smoking. I’ve cut down considerably, just can’t seem to knock it on the head.
Should be having my story printed in the South Wales Argus tomorrow :)
Just hope it helps raise some more funds for St Anne's hospice and Cancer Research UK
22 days, 15 hours and 10 minutes...
*Pigs don't actually sweat!!
Total fundraising to date: £4205.19
Miles Rode Today: 25.2
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 889.6
Got 25 miles in tonight on the X-Bike. Not sore at all, no aches, pains etc... just got bored!! Pedalling like hell (and sweating like a pig in a butchers shop*) for over 2 hours and getting no where fast has a mental impact!! I actually tried to imagine being out on a dust track, wind in my hair, birds tweeting, gravel and dust spraying up, the downhill exhilaration, the uphill struggle and relief etc... didn't work... ended up watching some TV show on Asian Cooking (of the insect kind).
Was quite interesting although I think I'll stick to bananas and rice in Vietnam, with the exception that if I do get offered deep fried tarantula I'm taking the opportunity for revenge by biting it's head/ass/whatever off for all the years of fear it’s cousins have caused me!! Spiders! Urgh!! Or is it Arghhh!!
I feel I could do another 25 easily so I'm pretty happy with my current state of fitness, apart from the fact I STILL haven't given up smoking. I’ve cut down considerably, just can’t seem to knock it on the head.
Should be having my story printed in the South Wales Argus tomorrow :)
Just hope it helps raise some more funds for St Anne's hospice and Cancer Research UK
22 days, 15 hours and 10 minutes...
*Pigs don't actually sweat!!
Total fundraising to date: £4205.19
Miles Rode Today: 25.2
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 889.6
Monday, October 23, 2006
Monday 23rd October
Ouch!! My second Japanese B Encephalitis went slightly better than my first (last week). At least I was able to semi-function and make it back to work (unlike most, I do actually enjoy work!!). No swelling or fever this time but Im still aching all over, feeling nausea and not able to think straight.
Got my third and final Rabies jab next Monday then 2 weeks off from needles for me :) Until the 13th November when I get my third and final Japanese B jab, then it's just a case of taking some super strength malaria tablets.
Contacted the reporter at the South Wales Argus, Press Release/Story should be going in the paper sometime this week :)
Got to go look for some new wheels now. Adrian Bragger (see previous posts) has challenged me to a cycle from Brecon to Cardiff... bugga!! :P
Forgot to mention a special thanks to Allison Randle who kindly sponsored me last week. Cheers Ally!! :)
23 days 15 hours and 47 minutes....
Total fundraising to date: £4205.19
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 864.4
Got my third and final Rabies jab next Monday then 2 weeks off from needles for me :) Until the 13th November when I get my third and final Japanese B jab, then it's just a case of taking some super strength malaria tablets.
Contacted the reporter at the South Wales Argus, Press Release/Story should be going in the paper sometime this week :)
Got to go look for some new wheels now. Adrian Bragger (see previous posts) has challenged me to a cycle from Brecon to Cardiff... bugga!! :P
Forgot to mention a special thanks to Allison Randle who kindly sponsored me last week. Cheers Ally!! :)
23 days 15 hours and 47 minutes....
Total fundraising to date: £4205.19
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 864.4
Friday, October 20, 2006
Friday 20th October
Sorry for no posts over the last few days. Through one thing or another I've been pretty busy to say the least.
Really wanted to get out on the "real" bike this weekend but still haven't sorted out my back wheel and to be honest, I think I'll just get a new one... a decent set of wheels that is!!
In just over a year I've snapped about 15 spokes on the back wheel!! Considering I had my old cheapy Carrera Katmandu for over 10 years and didn't snap a single spoke, this new fancy expensive Kona bike is proving very costly in maintenance. I'm looking at around the £100 mark for a semi-decent set of wheels. I've probably spent around £80 so far replacing spokes ffs!! :(
Had my photo shoot with the South Wales Argus this evening. Not sure when it'll make press but I'm gonna have a mention and a few piccies so hopefully that'll generate some more sponsors. Was quite weird posing for the camera, just hope I don't look a right tit in the paper :P
Will try and get a scan of the article and get it posted on here.
26 days, 13 hours and 41 minutes till the adventure begins :)
Total fundraising to date: £4205.19
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 858.9
Really wanted to get out on the "real" bike this weekend but still haven't sorted out my back wheel and to be honest, I think I'll just get a new one... a decent set of wheels that is!!
In just over a year I've snapped about 15 spokes on the back wheel!! Considering I had my old cheapy Carrera Katmandu for over 10 years and didn't snap a single spoke, this new fancy expensive Kona bike is proving very costly in maintenance. I'm looking at around the £100 mark for a semi-decent set of wheels. I've probably spent around £80 so far replacing spokes ffs!! :(
Had my photo shoot with the South Wales Argus this evening. Not sure when it'll make press but I'm gonna have a mention and a few piccies so hopefully that'll generate some more sponsors. Was quite weird posing for the camera, just hope I don't look a right tit in the paper :P
Will try and get a scan of the article and get it posted on here.
26 days, 13 hours and 41 minutes till the adventure begins :)
Total fundraising to date: £4205.19
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 858.9
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Tuesday 17th October
Urghh is the only word that describes how I feel. The Japanese B Encephalitis knocked me for 6 (Monday 9:40am). Knew within minutes of having the jab I didn't feel right. Was in the doctors for nearly an hour and a half. Nurse wouldn't let me go :(
Had to have the last 2 days off work. Side effects experienced so far include: swollen arm, nausea, shivers, muscle spasms, fever, sweats (hot and cold) to mention a few symptoms. Guess I fall into the 10 - 20 % of people who suffer taking this vaccination :(
I've got another 2 Japanese B jabs and 1 more Rabies jab, then I've got 3 weeks of seriously strong malaria tablet to take. Love it!!
Haven't managed to get on the bike for the last 2 days, just can't face it. I did manage to get 2 hours on the X-Bike on Sunday, with the mop to hand!! (a seriously good workout). I can imagine an X-Bike workout class poster: please bring towel, gloves, padded shorts and a mop!! Sweat... you ain't ever seen anything like it!! Go X-Bike gooooo :)
Have only smoked 4 fags this week. Not wearing patches either, although I think going back into work tomorrow I'll need some form of nicotine/caffine intake!!
Contacted the South Wales Argus today. Hope to arrange some local coverage to help generate some more company interest and hopefully help me hit the £5K mark (£4200 already).
Also had a phone call from Lucy at Across the Divide today. Should be getting some detailed literature on the trip sent out :)
Found out there's only 8 people doing the trip. Compared to the 45 that went last year this could be a good thing or a bad thing.
Good: Smaller group. Get to know each other a bit better. No hanging around waiting to organise 45 people to do something/get somewhere etc...
Bad: Signs that the spiders were just too big and has put people off going. Or maybe they were eaten by said big spiders? Or maybe it was too hard/hot/humid?
Not long to go now. Literally counting the days. Can't wait!!!
Total fundraising to date: £4205.19
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 858.9
Had to have the last 2 days off work. Side effects experienced so far include: swollen arm, nausea, shivers, muscle spasms, fever, sweats (hot and cold) to mention a few symptoms. Guess I fall into the 10 - 20 % of people who suffer taking this vaccination :(
I've got another 2 Japanese B jabs and 1 more Rabies jab, then I've got 3 weeks of seriously strong malaria tablet to take. Love it!!
Haven't managed to get on the bike for the last 2 days, just can't face it. I did manage to get 2 hours on the X-Bike on Sunday, with the mop to hand!! (a seriously good workout). I can imagine an X-Bike workout class poster: please bring towel, gloves, padded shorts and a mop!! Sweat... you ain't ever seen anything like it!! Go X-Bike gooooo :)
Have only smoked 4 fags this week. Not wearing patches either, although I think going back into work tomorrow I'll need some form of nicotine/caffine intake!!
Contacted the South Wales Argus today. Hope to arrange some local coverage to help generate some more company interest and hopefully help me hit the £5K mark (£4200 already).
Also had a phone call from Lucy at Across the Divide today. Should be getting some detailed literature on the trip sent out :)
Found out there's only 8 people doing the trip. Compared to the 45 that went last year this could be a good thing or a bad thing.
Good: Smaller group. Get to know each other a bit better. No hanging around waiting to organise 45 people to do something/get somewhere etc...
Bad: Signs that the spiders were just too big and has put people off going. Or maybe they were eaten by said big spiders? Or maybe it was too hard/hot/humid?
Not long to go now. Literally counting the days. Can't wait!!!
Total fundraising to date: £4205.19
Miles Rode Today: 0
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 858.9
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Saturday 14th October
D'oh, forgot to update blog yesterday. Nothing much happened other than a short but fast paced 15 miles on the x-bike.
Went out today on me real bike, there's a distinct difference between both x-bike and real bike. I was fu-fu-fu-freezing on me real one today!!! Don't think I'll be suffering much with the cold in Vietnam though.
In Hanoi today it was 33 Celsius and 64% Humidity. OMG!!
Total fundraising to date: £4205.19
Miles Rode Today: 24.2
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 843.9
Went out today on me real bike, there's a distinct difference between both x-bike and real bike. I was fu-fu-fu-freezing on me real one today!!! Don't think I'll be suffering much with the cold in Vietnam though.
In Hanoi today it was 33 Celsius and 64% Humidity. OMG!!
Total fundraising to date: £4205.19
Miles Rode Today: 24.2
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 843.9
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Thursday 12th October
Maaaaan where does the time go??? Can't believe it's nearly mid-October already!! Not that long till I get on the plane (16/11/06). Just realised I haven't updated the blog since 28/09. I'm sooooooo bad!!!! Promise to try and keep this updated everyday from now until 16/11.
Have been training pretty hard most evenings but I'm starting to think I may struggle somewhat (especially on the hills, I hate hills!!) with the heat and humidity. Unless I start to train in a Sauna I guess I'll have to cross that bridge when I come to it.
I don't think I'll have a problem cycling the 60 - 80 mile a day as it's spread out over 8 - 10 hours. Think it'll be the heat and humidity that gets to me, not to mention the little (and big) 8 legged freaks they have out there!!
Have started wearing patches in a bid to give up the fags. I know I know, just finding it really hard. I've drastically cut down though. From 20 a day to 2 or 3 max. I'm pretty happy, just want to quit altogether and get my fitness back to when it was when I was 18 (I can dream).... the patches are horrible though. Thought I was having a stroke earlier. Pains shooting in my shoulder were unbearable. I took it off dinner time and that's when I gave in and nicked a fag off Dave "like a whippet" Daniels!! To tell you the truth, it was horrible but at the same time, satisfying :)
Had 2 vaccinations for Rabies so far (third and final is on the 30th Oct.) and I've yet to look forward to an intense course of Japanese B Encephalities vaccinations. Mmmm lovely jubbly!!
Haven't started scratching or howling yet so I think the rabies jabs are in agreement with the old immune system. Still felt like shit after each one but not howling is all good news in my books.
Must say a massive thank you to Adrian Bragger for his kind donation and wish him luck on his half marathon race coming up soon. Cheers mate and good luck!!
Oh yeah, pity I don't actually speak Vietnamese otherwise I would have understood your "sponsor message", just hope it was something along the lines of "good luck Steve, you can do it!!" rather than something like "watch out for those 8ft spider webs!!". Cheers mate. See here if you haven't got a clue what I'm on about. And... if you haven't already, please sponsor me :)
Would also like to thank Carla Mahoney for her sponsor as well. Not often you get money out of a student (yet alone a politician). Thank you Carla!!
Forgot to mention about dieting... I saw the doctor last friday to help me plan a pre-ride diet to help me lose a few extra pounds before I fly out.
In contradiction to what my thoughts were, he suggested I actually pile on the pounds as he believes I could lose up to 2 stone during the 10 day event. 2 stone!! No chance!! I argued surely losing a few more pound would make it easier going up the hills!! Doctors!! What do they know!! :P
I've cut out most of the bad foods I used to eat (I'd kill a Dominos though!!) and have even started eating fruit, daily!! (see Mum, I can look after meself). I now have Weetabix and toast for breaky, nana and apple for dinner and either pasta or cheese on toast for tea.
No more crisps, chips, kebabs, currys (unless its lads curry night), pizzas (nooooo), icecream, sweets, chocolate, coke (or other branded pop drinks - bad for the gut lining apparently, not to mention teeth), fast foods etc... it's more home cooked fresh foods, salads and pasta (sorry Mum, still not gonna eat veg!!) :)
Weight hasn't shifted though. Even with the training and dieting I'm still at just under 13.5St. I did drop to almost in the 12.X region but for some reason it went back up... they do say muscle is heavier than fat though. Thats my excuse anyway!!
Until tomorrow... woof
Total fundraising to date: £4205.19
Miles Rode Today: 15
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 804.7
Have been training pretty hard most evenings but I'm starting to think I may struggle somewhat (especially on the hills, I hate hills!!) with the heat and humidity. Unless I start to train in a Sauna I guess I'll have to cross that bridge when I come to it.
I don't think I'll have a problem cycling the 60 - 80 mile a day as it's spread out over 8 - 10 hours. Think it'll be the heat and humidity that gets to me, not to mention the little (and big) 8 legged freaks they have out there!!
Have started wearing patches in a bid to give up the fags. I know I know, just finding it really hard. I've drastically cut down though. From 20 a day to 2 or 3 max. I'm pretty happy, just want to quit altogether and get my fitness back to when it was when I was 18 (I can dream).... the patches are horrible though. Thought I was having a stroke earlier. Pains shooting in my shoulder were unbearable. I took it off dinner time and that's when I gave in and nicked a fag off Dave "like a whippet" Daniels!! To tell you the truth, it was horrible but at the same time, satisfying :)
Had 2 vaccinations for Rabies so far (third and final is on the 30th Oct.) and I've yet to look forward to an intense course of Japanese B Encephalities vaccinations. Mmmm lovely jubbly!!
Haven't started scratching or howling yet so I think the rabies jabs are in agreement with the old immune system. Still felt like shit after each one but not howling is all good news in my books.
Must say a massive thank you to Adrian Bragger for his kind donation and wish him luck on his half marathon race coming up soon. Cheers mate and good luck!!
Oh yeah, pity I don't actually speak Vietnamese otherwise I would have understood your "sponsor message", just hope it was something along the lines of "good luck Steve, you can do it!!" rather than something like "watch out for those 8ft spider webs!!". Cheers mate. See here if you haven't got a clue what I'm on about. And... if you haven't already, please sponsor me :)
Would also like to thank Carla Mahoney for her sponsor as well. Not often you get money out of a student (yet alone a politician). Thank you Carla!!
Forgot to mention about dieting... I saw the doctor last friday to help me plan a pre-ride diet to help me lose a few extra pounds before I fly out.
In contradiction to what my thoughts were, he suggested I actually pile on the pounds as he believes I could lose up to 2 stone during the 10 day event. 2 stone!! No chance!! I argued surely losing a few more pound would make it easier going up the hills!! Doctors!! What do they know!! :P
I've cut out most of the bad foods I used to eat (I'd kill a Dominos though!!) and have even started eating fruit, daily!! (see Mum, I can look after meself). I now have Weetabix and toast for breaky, nana and apple for dinner and either pasta or cheese on toast for tea.
No more crisps, chips, kebabs, currys (unless its lads curry night), pizzas (nooooo), icecream, sweets, chocolate, coke (or other branded pop drinks - bad for the gut lining apparently, not to mention teeth), fast foods etc... it's more home cooked fresh foods, salads and pasta (sorry Mum, still not gonna eat veg!!) :)
Weight hasn't shifted though. Even with the training and dieting I'm still at just under 13.5St. I did drop to almost in the 12.X region but for some reason it went back up... they do say muscle is heavier than fat though. Thats my excuse anyway!!
Until tomorrow... woof
Total fundraising to date: £4205.19
Miles Rode Today: 15
Miles Rode Since 16/02/06: 804.7
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