Christmas present

In case you were hanging in suspense, angsting about my Christmas present, it wasn't new cycle clips. Don't know who my husband gave those to - my present was a book about being rude.

No, not X-rated, burn off the calories rude - 'Talk to the Hand' rude.

Maybe I just didn't hint strongly enough.

So it's trawling sale websites for me to get me started I guess.

I feel good!

Been for a ride - only to bank, but rode unencumbered by small children, large bags - rather pathetic getting excited about a short ride to town, but it's a start.

Got there really fast - quicker than by car.

Forgot my cycle clips - must do better!

Only managed to use two gears out of the 15 on the bike, indicating I've some way to go, but I feel great - if I feel like this after a short ride to the bank, I can't wait to get into serious training.

Partying begins

Press party results in lots of advice - Ant Upton, ace photographer, rides everywhere on his bike - reckons that I need to invest in shoes.

Other keen cyclists back up the 'shorts' requirement - shorts and diet seem to be coming top of my worry list at present - fat bird in jeans won't cut mustard on a 100 mile ride.

Meanwhile Mr Rob Kerr of Network Reviews has agreed to ride as well: do wonder if he'll remember whan the beer goggles come off: hope so!

Pant, pants, pants, pants, pants

Actually that's what I wanted for Christmas. Pants. Special cycling ones.

But I've been peeking. And I think I'm getting cycle clips.

I've already got some (not that I've used them much).
And they're just not sexy.
And just a lttle too easy to forget you have on, so when you bump into friends in town with your trews bloused over the top.... well, it's just not a good look.

Anyway, it would appear that cycling pants will not be in my Christmas stocking and I shall have to find it in my heart to be really nice to my husband about the cycling clips, especially as it's the first time he'll have actually bought a present himself since the first year we were dating.

How humbug and ungrateful does this sound?

Pants!

Dear Blog

Dear Blog

I'm very sorry not to have written anything for a whole two weeks.

It's been remiss of me, I know. And a sad inictment on the fact that my manic life in the run up to Christmas has left me with no time for my poor abandoned bike.

Anyway, talented no-nonsense designer Ev has been made chairperson of the Action100 bike ride, which gives me something to post: thanks Ev.

Press Release Monday, 12 December 2005

New Chairperson in the Saddle The UK’s leading medical research charity, Action Medical Research, has a new chairperson for its ‘Action 100’ bike ride, which runs annually on August bank holiday weekend from Bath and Bristol to London. Ev Milker (34) of St George, Bristol, has a tough act to follow: the 2005 ride has already brought in over £58 thousand, with over 100 riders still expected to send in their sponsorship money.

The Action 100 bike ride challenges ordinary cyclists who are prepared to cycle 100 miles for Action Medical Research, which funds research into a wide range of conditions. Cyclists have all day to complete the ride and are fully supported with plenty of refreshment stops, a pub lunch and hot showers and beer at the finish.

“Our previous chairman, Richard Westropp, took us to over 500 riders, and, all things being equal, we will have raised around 60 thousand pounds on the 2005 ride – a tough act to follow” said Milker. “2006 is our silver jubilee year so we really want to make it special. We’re now in the planning stages making it the best ride yet, including having a more party like atmosphere at the close, goody bags for every rider and some extra surprises along the way.”

“One of our biggest challenges is finding a sponsor,” said Jennifer Reid, Community Fundraising Manager, South West, Action Medical Research. “With one in place, we would aim to double the number of riders and bring in over £100 thousand pounds for the charity. I can’t think of a better tribute to all the people who have worked so hard behind the scenes, pushed themselves to ride and contributed time and ideas to make this such a special ride.”

The sponsorship would help pay for some of the costs of running the ride, such as transport, refreshments, safety and print costs, helping ensure that money raised goes directly to the charity, which has already contributed towards the first UK polio vaccine, discovering the importance of folic acid in preventing spina bifida, pioneering hip replacement surgery and the first medical use of ultrasound in pregnancy./ENDS

Going Public

OK, I can hold it in no longer.

When I cycle 100 miles next August, I shall be hot on the heels of one of Casualty's hottest actors... the Gorgeous Guppy.

Known to his family and agent as Elyes Gabel.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/casualty/interviews/elyesgabel/

Now if that's not an incentive to brave the chaffing and get in shape for the ride, I don't know what is!

Bloggers Block

I have had a bit of a block on this blog over the past week. Not because I haven't had anything to write, but because the most interesting stuff I have is stuff that I don't feel I can ethically use. A professional dilemma.

You see, after our celeb was recruited, a kerfuffle broke out. I don't think the parties involved know quite what or why, but an awful lot of time and energy was wasted in discussion, which meant that all the charity got PR wise from the biggest story that the bike ride's had is page 17 of the Bristol Evening Post on one of the quietest days of the week (Monday)

It was a bigger, better story than that, and I would have loved to get my hands on it.

Still, next week I shall get the chance to try and get some news out in the press about said celeb agreeing to ride 100 miles for the charity. Fingers crossed it's not too late.