charityadventure

Hi Everyone,

I thought I'd see if I can get a few of you posting over here as it's going to get messy with 60 of us e-mailing! Log in when you're needing that motivation to get out on a training ride, need some tips on bikes and equipment, and most importantly, share you fundraising tips.

I'm Helen and live in Beverley, near Hull. The cycling is going OK as I started commuting to work last year but I need to get a move on with the fundraising. I've been spreading the word that I'm doing the ride and need to start asking people for money. If you have any ideas other than asking friends and colleagues for donations I'd be happy to hear them!

If anyone is in the Hull-York region and needs someone to go out on rides with get in touch.

Best wishes

Helen

Hi Guys,
Thanks for continuing the chat... Hiya Donna, bugger the ride... lets have a weekend on the beer (do you know the Shirley Temple chinese??)!!!

I know we all have our reasons for doing this and our own crosses to bear, I lost my Dad to cancer and my mum has been blighted with it, amongst many other close friends and family... but i know Im not alone and each and everyone of us on this ride will have been touched by cancer at some time or another and our determination is testament to this.

On a lighter note.. some of you wanted fund raising ideas... Instead of just asking for sponsorship how about running a competition, how many miles before your first puncture, what will be your average speed over the weekend be, how many punctures will the group get. If you could spare a small prize then people can't resist a competition!! Get in touch with your local supermarket and ask if you can pack bags for the weekend, any profits go to the ride fund. Run a quiz night at your local pub and any money raised goes to the ride fund. Decide to do the ride in fancy dress and the more money raised the worse the costume (be careful with this.... take into account the weather and riding a bike!!)

Ok, if any of you have any more ideas, or if you have any queries, worries, concerns or just general chit chat, let us know.

Don't worry, we are all in this together, we will be there to push you through the tough bits, celebrate through the achievements and cry with you when you just bloody feel like it!!

I can't wait for the next Charity Adventure guys...... (god I am getting cheesy in my old age !!!)

And Leeds riders please advise when you are going out because I would like to be there.

Speak soon.
Gin xxx

Gin, there's a theme developing in your replies to people along the lines of 'bugger the cycling, let's go for a beer':!:

Extra fundraising idea: Let's all have a bet on when Gin contracts alcohol poisoning

Have you ever known me not to involve alcohol??? And hang on a minute Cryer... I seem to remember you hanging your head over the handlebars and wanting to throw up on the climb out of Rookhope and me laughing all the way to the top.... Don't you worry about me!!!

Ok won't make anymore mentions of drinking, but mostly because my head hurts this morning and I can't think about drinking, well until about 5.30 tonight....... It's not really setting a good example now is it!!!

Lets have a bet on who can raise the most money with the wackiest process instead please...

xx

Gin wrote:Have you ever known me not to involve alcohol??? And hang on a minute Cryer... I seem to remember you hanging your head over the handlebars and wanting to throw up on the climb out of Rookhope and me laughing all the way to the top.... Don't you worry about me!!!

Nope, I don't remember that. Maybe because I was carrying Pam's panniers on my back as well as my own at the time?!

What I do remember however is the fact that you were too hungover to make it to breakfast that morning!! Lightweight

Even Gaz and Mark managed it!!

Erm... I didn't go to breakfast because I took the option of an extra 3/4 hour kip!! Sensible I call it... I had a bacon sarnie an hour later!

Hi All
Well I've already sent an introductory mail, so this little chat is about training.

I am not a cyclist and I am pretty worried about my bum on this ride so I have been getting out on my bike about twice a week. Easter Monday I did 22 miles and it was a doddle, felt like I could have kept going all day! "Fab", thought I, this is going really well and no after pains either! Got on my bike last night to do 10 miles after work (a breeze, thought I) and it is was bloody awful! What has happened? My legs killed, my average speed was down, I did have the wind against me, but then the trees were hardly moving so there wasn't that much wind, although I was slightly quicker coming back and well my poor bottom, it hurt. That said, nothing hurts today. I'm thinking of doing another 10 on Friday after work and then I am away for the weekend (in York, and yes I know I only live 11 miles from York), but have to decided to cycle there on Saturday and home on Sunday with a hangover....I guess this is very good practice for the actual event! I've done P&O ferries before and I was rather ill for my day in Amsterdam!

Helen - maybe we could try and plan a route and do a bit of cycling together. A few of us are also doing the Selby bike ride as a practice run, I think it's 10th May if you fancy joining us....and anybody else who can get to it. (45 miles).
Jayne x

Nice to see you are getting some miles in Jayne.

If you haven't already got padded shorts, get some they are a must. Also using a creme such as Sudocream or E45 on the shorts padded area helps to stop chafing and soreness.

After a ride have a good stretch, especially the hamstrings. Cycling shortens them.
A post ride energy drink is good. I drink 'For goodness shakes'. Milk based fruit shake. They got an excellent write up in Cycling weekly some time back.I find a shake drink stops me from over eating post ride. I get big style munchies especially for cake, biscuits and the like.

When showering post ride, turn the water a cool/cold as you can comfortably stand and play the shower over your leg muscles. It closes down the small blood vessels allowing blood to return to the heart carrying away the built up acids. Top athletes sit in an ice bath but there is apparently no great gain over the cool shower.
I hope some of this helps to overcome numb bum and legs like lead. Pain is weakness leaving the body. Yeah right

Hi Andy
Thanks for all those tips. I must admit I just got off my bike on Monday and pottered round the garden....hardly a good cool down. I have noticed I haven't been able to sit on my knees on the floor, my legs just dont allow it! Anyway, I shall definitely take your advice on board! THANK YOU.

Hi Jayne,

Sorry, I've only just noticed your post Hope you had a good ride out to Selby on Sunday. If you fancy a bit of a challenge I'm doing a 50 miler from York to Castle Howard and back on Saturday, but I've been warned it's going to be a bit hilly

Helen

Hi Helen, now worries. The Selby bike ride was fantastic. Did the 45 miles no problem which has given me a lot of confidence, I just need to keep it up til we go which might be the difficult bit.

I'm afraid I cant this Saturday - I'm having my hair done! I know this sounds like such a girly excuse but it's true and my hair is desperate for a cut. It would have been good, I'm rubbish at hills! I'm just banking on it being very flat for our trip. Good luck for Saturday.

I understand about the hair. Mine was desperate for a cut before I got to the hairdressers last weekend. We have to get our priorities right!

Glad you're feeling more confident about the cycling now. I seem to be going backwards I just need to keep getting out on the bike between now and 12 June and I'm sure I'll be fine.

I don't call doing a hilly 50 miles going backwards. If you can do that you will be totally fine!