Reflections

This has been a low week on the training front. With having Abigail here for a few days and the dreadful weather as well, there has been a forced break in the time available. So maybe I can just comment on a couple of things that have struck me over the week.

I am amazed at how positive people are with MND. I have mentioned Maria Foreman before. Her facebook page Motor Neurone Together We Stand is always full positive thoughts and it is only occasionally that there is a glimpse of the difficulties that are obviously there.

Then I have recently come across a blog maintained by Pauline Hardy. This is a very honest look at the problems faced and overcome by another sufferer and her family. But, again, she has a very positive attitude towards her condition. Perhaps you could take a look. It makes me appreciate even more how good it is to have good health. We forget how well blessed we are. Pauline has also recently put together this site which explains the condition and how it can affect those with it. MND Laid Bare

And I most not forget Mike Hardy, living at the top of my road. I have never seen him without a smile on his face. He illustrates so well what it is like to have MND. The brain functions as it always has done but the body can't keep up.

In thinking of those with MND, we must remember those who care for them. It quickly becomes a full time job. My father retired early (mid fifties) because my mother needed full time support. Afterwards he said that he had just got to the stage where he felt he couldn't cope any longer. God took her at the right moment. Mike's wife is always cheerful despite the burden that falls on her - even more so with Mike's father's recent health problems.

It must be so frustrating and there seems to be so little support for them and their needs. So although the mountain climbs to Geneva will be tough, I do, at least, know that they are soon over. My hope is that I can raise just a bit more to help someone whose mountain climbs are rather longer than mine.Please help out.

Can I do it (to paraphrase a certain children's character)

Can I do it? Yes I can! 100 miles cracked for the first time ever. Was I tired at the end of it? Yes I was, but not as tired as I expected to be.

This was a super day in the Fens. Clare, Alex, John and Paddy arrived ready for a prompt(ish) 8:00 departure. OK, we got wet in the morning but after about 12:30, it cleared up for the rest of the and came out sunny for the photos. The route was east from March and then north to Downham Market for a stop for toasted teacakes - our rides are not complete without that. Then north to within about 5 miles of the Wash and back to Wisbech. Fifteen more miles back to March for baked potatoes - again what are these rides for.

Then the afternoon stretch to Oldhurst near Huntingdon, via a detour courtesy of John's Garmin device (at least the 'via Peru' bug has now been patched). A tough section against the wind with no protection was made easier with Clare now acting as support driver (having wisely decided that 65 miles was a big enough leap from her longest previously this year of 42) supplying us with Haribos every so often.

Another short break at Oldhurst to pay a surprise visit to Alex's in-laws - my sister-in-law - and see the new arrival Chloe at 10 days old. Then back to March again. 100.6 miles on my clock. I'm at the back while John and Alex nearly knock each other off in an attempt to be the first over the finish line (marked by a road marking saying SLOW, I notice), closely pursued by Paddy. Clare is taking the photo - she will be in the ones for next month.

And I must add a thank you to Ted at Fen View Lodge for making us so comfortable. I can thoroughly recommend a stay there if you want to go in that direction.

So now I have done a longer ride than any day on the Paris/Geneva will be, how about some more support on JustGiving ..

Am I fit enough for this?

The first long ride of the year approaches fast! Next Saturday, 21st April - let's just hope that the tanker drivers don't strike and spoil the plans. It will be good to meet up with John, Clare and Alex and cycle round the Fens, starting at Doddington, just outside March and then doing a circular route that is just over 100 miles long.

That's the plan! But we will have to see how it goes. None of us has done that distance so far and I think we are all wondering if this isn't just a bit too much. The trouble is it was my suggestion to get this distance out of the way early in the season and then concentrate on the hills. So I don't have any choice but to give it a go.

So next Monday's post will tell the story!

There have been some more donations received as well so that is encouraging. And, curtesy of some of Rachel's customers, and due to her tenacity, I now have some prizes to use the the Castlepoint event on 28/7/2012 - more details later.

Things are beginning to move. How about some more support on JustGiving ..

A bit on the cold side, but nonetheless, a lovely day to get out on the bike. This was the first chance, for a couple of weeks, to put in a decent distance. So, check the tyres and make sure they are around 100 psi and then off towards the New Forest. The only question is which particular part. It is such a lovely area whereever you choose to go. We are really very spoilt for choice here.

In the end, I settled for the usual B's to start with. Burton, Bransgore and Burley (not forgetting that I had started in Bournemouth and went via Boscombe). The picture (not mine - I always forget to take a camera) is Thorney Hill between Bransgore and Burley. Then left in Burley, up the hill and back down into Ringwood and up to Moyles Court. Next stop Fordingbridge and back to Ringwood via Alderholt. There is still a choice to make, but I wanted a bit more distance so along the back roads through North Ripley to Winkton and home via Christchurch and Hengistbury Head.

The first 50+ mile ride of the year (actually 55 miles). So I am feeling very pleased to have got a reasonable distance in before the Fens ride in 2 weeks time. And I'm not completed dead either.

But don't forget the reason for the training rides! Donate now to encourage me

It looks like it is going to happen!

Oo-er - this is getting serious now. Have just been advised by the trip organisers that the trip is confirmed so we can arrange the flight home from Geneva. So Geneva-Luton booked for 14/9/2012. Then a night's sleep at my Dad's place before getting home on the Saturday morning.

On the training front, a good session last night under Amy's eagle eye. Some routines that were particularly testing and I knew about them this morning in my shoulders. Just hope it all pays off in 5 months time (is that all it is?).

Fundraising has started but there is some way to go. Please read the previous post and donate now to encourage me.

The reality of MND

Here is an example of why I am trying to raise money and awareness of MND. Last weekend I join a facebook group call ‘Motor Neurone Disease together we stand’. This is being maintained by a lady in the Bournemouth area who has Motor Neurone Disease and is something of a blog of the way it is shaping her life. Please take a look.MND Together We Stand

As a result of my post on her wall, another young lady made a donation on my JustGiving page. Her mother had died of MND, a week before. Today I have learned that her sister has also just died (2 weeks after her mother) of MND.

It is over 25 years since I lost my mother and father-in-law to MND. Research has made progress and some gene abnormalities have been established as probable indicators. Maybe a breakthrough in cure or even prevention is on the horizon. But research costs money.

It also costs money to support sufferers and their families. Expensive equipment may be needed as the strength to walk goes. Constant care is needed when the ability to feed oneself goes. Some people suffer for many years (a near neighbour of mine was diagnosed about 6 years ago and MND is making slow progress).

Please help by making a donation.