I'm back!

Well, it's been rather quiet on the blogging front recently... It has also been very quiet on the cycling front for me. Whilst Michael has continued with his regular commute into work, I have been struggling with painful thighs and thought I had better have some time away from the bike to recover.

Last week I did a test cycle coming in from Small Dole via Shoreham and then cycling back home over the Dyke and all was well. I think this was because I have been fiddling with my bike set up and have altered the position of my saddle and my shoes cleats so my foot position is different (I am clipped into my pedals).

If it doesn't work (and maybe even if it does work) I am planning to pop in to see our new friend and Prestige Cycles in Hove. This is a fantastic custom cycle shop on George Street and is well worth a visit. More to the point there is a set-up bike there - a static bike on which you can precisely measure the best cycling position.

So the cycling feels a bit better. I also now have my cyclecam which I intend to use the next time I ride in just in case a You've Been Framed moment happens. I will also upload some footage, probably of my cycling at speed down the Dyke. Any suggestions for appropriate background music? Ride of the Valkyries etc?

On the logistics front, we're moving on well. We've nearly hit £2,000!!! which is incredible - thank you so much all those who have donated. That's 30% of the target done and Michael and I are really pleased.

I have also made contact with Las Vegas cycling clubs and shops with a view to getting a bit of media support whilst we're out there. Michael and I have shared the cost of a few nights in the Bellagio after the trip to recover, so I'm planning to get the hotel involved too. More on that later.

Bunkers (our firm) is very kindly hosting a summer event on 30 June to raise funds for the Starr Trust. with that in mind, please get in touch if you have any suggestions or contacts for raffle prizes. Thank you already to the lovely Kirsty Taylor at the fabulous Uniquely Organic Eco Spa on Church Road, Hove for pledging some support in that regard.

In other news, I am currently enjoying my new dri-fit Nike England Rugby jersey on rides (I cant quite get on with the whole cycle thing - I like to be a teeny bit different). I am also starting to cope with the aerobars on my bike (not the chocolate bars by the way - forward pointing handle bars for aerodynamic positioning, just miles away from the brakes...).

I think that's it for the mo. I will be writing more regularly again now. That said, Michael and and I have just sent out our June news letter. If you haven't received an email copy, but would like to go on the mailing list please let us know

Thank you again for all those donations.

R

A sad day

I've had a few comments that I haven't posted anything here for ages, and it's with something of a heavy heart that I write this post. Today is a very sad day for the sport of cycling and cyclists after the death this afternoon of Wouter Weylandt in Stage 3 of the Giro d'Italia. The Leopard-Trek rider fell at high speed during a descent about 20km from the finish of the stage from Reggio Emilia to Rapallo. The crash had left Weylandt bloodied and unconscious and requiring cardiac massage. He received emergency medical treatment by race doctors and was scheduled to be airlifted to hospital but had to wait as an emergency helicopter looked for a suitable landing spot. Unfortunately his crash was fatal.

Anyone that knows me well will, at some stage, have heard me on my soap-box commenting about the 'injuries' that footballers 'suffer' and complain about - it often appears to me that the odd sprain can keep a multi-million £ footballer off the pitch for weeks, whereas cyclists frequently come crashing off their bikes hitting the tarmac at high speeds, but nevertheless get back on, bloodied, bruised and battered, shorts and jerseys ripped to shreds, even carrying on riding sometimes with broken collar bones and fingers - often continuing to ride in a Tour for days and weeks afterwards. I often wonder to what extent people realise just how dangerous the sport of cycling can be. Days like today also remind us that the sport can also be fatal.

In my own small way I send my thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and team mates of Wouter Weylandt.

Treading water......

...well not quite. I've had to calm down on the cycling though. I always planned to have a bit of a rest over the Easter break, but it has been somewhat enforced due to sore quads (legs, not motorbikes or children).

I think it might be my bike set up, but I have traced the lack of power in my legs and subsequent pain to the very outside of each quad and it feels like it might be tendons or ligaments. Does anyone have any ideas? Anyway, I think I might get myself on a rolling road so my cycling posture can be looked at and the bike adjusted, if necessary. Of course, if it's not the bike, it's me - if so, I'm going to need some help with strength work, stretches, advice etc etc. So, suggestions please?

On the upside, I have a cool new gadget - my helmet cam has arrived fresh from China. It was an ebay steal and, although it was missing a USB lead and various other bits, I have got it going and it works a treat. The other day I attached it to my dog's collar to see what she got up to on her countryside walk - very funny to watch a dog's eye view of rabbit holes, cowpats and peoples' legs...

So any suggestions for my first formal video?

I have also taken possession of a Nike DriFit England rugby jersey for cycling. It's awesome and makes me look like I actually have muscles!

What else...? We have reached an incredible 20% of our fundraising target - thank you so much for all your support and sponsorship! Also, if you were thinking of donating, but haven't done it yet - please do! Remember, pay day has now passed and it's a new tax year (for those who can write donations off against tax). And remember to GiftAid!

We are in the process of organising a summer event  - more soon.

Also, the latest mailshot will shortly be going out - beware accountants and IFAs...!

Finally, latest iPod purchases - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2Ncxw1xfck and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR8logunPzQ

Rich