Just as an introduction to you all I am 45 years young & am married to Lynn with 3 lovely children, Ryan, Heather & Lucy. Heather was born with Goldenhar syndrome & has been a constant source of inspiration & parental pride to us for the way she has dealt with all her issues with a never say never approach & a smile on her face.
Richard & Heather
It was at a wonderful family weekend get together at Winfell Forest in October 2010 that Craig announced he was doing the John O' Groats to Lands End cycle challenge on behalf of the Goldenhar Family Support Group (UK) & was looking for riders to join him for legs of the tour. For reasons best known only to my right arm, it shot up in the air along with the words "I'll do the whole thing with you" !!!!!! Everyone who I told about that moment, asked me the same question - "exactly how much had you been drinking ??"
Whilst I still play vets football & 5 a side, my biking prowess has been limited to one or two trecks into the forest on my MTB at weekends away in our caravan. A close friend (marathon runner) seriously wondered if I knew exactly what I had let myself in for !!
Well this was my time to say thank you to the wonderful help the Family Support Group have given us over the years & the children would be all the encouragement I would ever need.
I read up & road tested quite a few bikes over the coming weeks & finally plumped for a Trek 7.3 FX road based hybrid. I started with gentle 10 mile loops & gradually aquired more gear for the bike & Christmas proved really useful in adding to my wish list !!
January 2011 saw me complete around 100 miles throughout a very icy month, February around 150 miles as I tried to establish 15/20 mile circuits. However after completing my biggest ride at the end of February, 35 miles, I found my knee joints were becoming really sore.
New pedals & cleated shoes made all the difference. I have really been able to extend my rides as a result & my leg muscles have taken the brunt rather than my knee joints.
March has seen the first signs of Spring & sunshine at last !! I have pushed on again with my mileage & was delighted to achieve a 49 miler, then another 46.
With the sun on my back on Saturday March 19th I did an amazing tour around Suffolk that took in some lovely historical sights as well as beautiful countyside. I finished the ride having done just over 80 miles exhausted but elated with my achievement.
Richard & his trusty steed !
So there we are, up to date & I'm hoping the coming weeks will see the temperature rise further & my enthusiasm increase as we approach our start date. I am really looking forward to it & I still cant believe I am saying that !!
Excellent , good luck with the Challenge.
ReplyDeleteMark