I have finally managed to emerge myself from the years supply of sugar and the ridiculously long struggle it took to ram everything into my tiny rucksack giving me enough time to say a massive thank you to everyone who has sponsored me and given me encouragement for the bike ride!

With just 10.5 hours to go until take off my final sponsorship total has emerged at £1210!!!! This is absolutely amazing, and I am eternally grateful to everyone who has pledged and donated,  this is far beyond what I ever thought I would reach. The generosity of strangers and old friends I haven’t seen in years has been particularly touching, as has the pledges in response to an email I sent out at work- some people whom I have never even met yet! To see that it is a cause so strongly supported by those around me can only serve to give me more and more motivation when I am feeling at my most exhausted and fragile on this ride.

An extra big thank you should also go to the team at Perfect Display, who have not only given me corporate sponsorship, I have also received many individual pledges from their employees and their generosity has helped me to storm through my £1000 target in the last couple of days.
Without wanting to make this sound like an oscar speech, I couldn’t have done this without Paulo and various family members out there pestering the hell out of people on our behalf. My total would be nowhere near where it is is it wasnt for them! So big thank yous, squishy hugs and sloppy kisses all round.

It’s off to bed for me, so wish us luck! and i shall let you know how we have got on when we get back

toodles,

Helen x

Posted: May 23rd, 2008 under Helen's training.
Comments: none

yes that may sound a trifle strange but that is the summary of my week thus far…maybe i should explain a little..

On sunday I rode from leeds to the Marie Curie hospice in Bradford with some of the lovely ladies taking part in Amsterdame 08. After a lovely gentle trundle along the Leeds-Liverpool canal (no chavs this time!) and a few giggles on the way, we were told of an upcoming hill that was to be a bit of a bugger - and what a bugger it was! This hill was pure EVIL, I’m not quite sure how some of the ladies managed to set off making it look easy…whether any got to the top still making it look so simple is another question…I was some way behind giving it a good attempt at peddling every so often but mostly jumping off the bike and running/pushing with all my might as we dropped off one by one. After what seemed like many an hour and many a mile later (with much cursing/panting/shear terror as to what the Amsterdam ride will hold for us/being on the brink of tears and abandonment - followed by moments of elation at still being alive and just about breathing) we reached the hospice - where I promptly broke the second pair of sunglasses in 2 weeks- to pose for photos and meet Julia Bradbury.

After clearing the hospice of a years supply of tea and biscuits and with the promise of going to a pub for food on the way back we sped off at a somewhat nifty speed to head back to the canal towards Leeds. After arriving at the pub to find out they were not serving food except sunday lunches (not what we fancied with the rest of the ride home yet to come), we settled with a combination of beer/crisps/pop and all went our seperate ways home. It was a painful and slow few miles back as 3 of us idly cycled whilst chatting and mostly blocking off the canal path to anyone else and as Leeds approached, to see my car and it’s lovely comfy seats was a form of joy i have not experienced before. After a 20 minute struggle to lift my bike on the rack and strap it in with no power, control or feeling left in my arms from the elbow down and no food in me since breakfast (it was now nearly 5pm and 63km later) I raced home, more than ready for the roast Paulo was cooking at home! YUM

Once home the aches and pains really set in, though this was not my usual little twinges… My backside was incredibly tender, I had the most painful tight spasming thigh muscles that kept me up all night -but miraculously disappeared at 9am precisely on Monday morning - my chest was wheezy and making me cough, and i had lost all feeling and control of 2 fingers on my left hand that just wanted to curl up no matter what i tried. Feeling rather sorry for myself I had a long hydro bath - god bless that machine - and resigned myself to my pyjamas for the rest of the day. I vowed to myself that no matter what, my butt is not going anywhere near a seat less padded than my sofa for the rest of the week! My butt is my temple, and for this week, it dictates where I shall rest my weary hind

As for being an asthmatic donkey…I went to the doctors today concerned about how tight my chest got during sundays exertion - thinking my hayfever was playing up and i needed new drugs - only to be told I have suspected “Allergy induced asthma” brought on by stress and exercise. As you can imagine, finding this out 4 days (96 hours!!) before setting off on the ride was a bit of a blow to say the least, but it does explain a lot these last few months!! And at least I now have drugs to help ease the symptoms and put my mind to rest a little. It is not enough that I have an ‘extreme’ form of hayfever that causes my food allergies… I am now also allergic to exercise! If that’s not an excuse to break out the maltesers and beer I don’t know what is…so I leave you now to find some new sunglasses and have a little indulgence, just cos i can

Posted: May 20th, 2008 under Helen's training.
Comments: 1

…and make sure you’re getting miles for your (sponsorship) money via the buddy beacon tracker.

At http://charityadventure.org.uk/amsterdame2008.aspx you’ll see three links in the centre of the page as follows:

*** TRACK US LIVE BETWEEN SATURDAY 24th MAY & TUESDAY 27th MAY ***
Craz’s Team is —> HERE <—
Gaz’s Team is —> HERE <—
Marks Team is —> HERE <—

Helen and I are in Craz’s team, so whenever you feel like checking up on our progress you just need to go to the above url and select Craz’s team. This will open the buddy beacon and you’ll be able to see exactly where we are on our travels. Just look for the riders are the back

….And if we look to be going the wrong way - please do text us to let us know. Sillier things could happen

xx

Posted: May 19th, 2008 under Helen's training, Uncategorized, marie's training.
Comments: none

It’s a big day folks – we have some new technical wizardry on the blog. I now have a twitter account which basically means that I can text message (twitter) to the blog whilst we (Helen and I) are dong the actual cycle ride. This way we can keep you all up to date with our progress, the pain and the sugar highs and lows, without the need for me to find a PC to update this blog ( which, lets face it, after 65 miles, finding a PC would be the last thing on my mind!).

Unfortunately we can only have one twitter account per blog so Helen and I will both be using my mobile to keep you updated. We’ll sign the texts as M or H so you know who is saying what and when.

You’ll see that there is a new column to the right hand side of this page – this is where all our texts messages (twitters) will be shown.

Not long to go now…

xx

Posted: May 19th, 2008 under Helen's training, Uncategorized, marie's training.
Comments: none

I would like to assure you all that I am in fact still alive and kicking whilst Marie is blogging til all hours… I am a bit quiet on the blog front at the moment as I have already started my wind down/bit of R&R to make sure my back is top notch and I have not a single twinge or spasming muscle in sight before we go! Not to mention the fact that I am racing around all the M&S in West Yorkshire trying to find some seamless knickers that Marie has recommended - apparently all the ample butted ladies around -like myself- like these and so they are a rarity in my size…so I am giving up and taking to ordering yet another thing on tinternet (my neighbours gonna be so pleased, must be about the 5th package in as many days that shes had to take in for me, bless you lady at no 42). And to be honest, I am so sleepy that I get home from work, reply to many emails from Marie/Craz/sponsors/randoms then collapse cabbage-like til it’s time to haul my (rather tender) butt to bed. so night night people - and to all you lady riders, get some good sleeps! see you in 10.5 days eeek x

Posted: May 13th, 2008 under Helen's training.
Comments: 1

So boys (Ali and Paulo) – we’ve not heard much from you on this blog and Helen and I are wondering how much you are keeping up to date with our dedication? Now I know you live with us – and are throwing sponsorship money at us – but we cannot be silenced easily, therefore me and Helen challenge you to a public quiz:

No cheating now!

The questions:
1. Test no 1 – I am not telling you this is here so we need to see how long it takes you to find it and respond…this could be the most incriminating evidence yet  I have put it in all three training categories to give you a flying start….

2. What do pants equal?

3. How did Helen refer to the chest of her abusive chav?

4. What was Helen eating whilst chastising Marie for having some time off? (Note – this requires you to be up to date with comments and not only blog posts – it’s getting tricky boys!).

5. From where does the blog suggest you buy Kendal Mint Cake?

6. Do you like Marie’s graphs (ok, ok – this question is a little biased  )

7. What rule involving 10mph is Marie freaking out a little bit about?

8. What embarrassing question did Marie ask the ride organiser about panniers? (blush)

9. What is the name of our ride organiser (nickname will suffice).

10. Name two of our most loyal supporters on the blog – i.e those who post the most and we adore?

11. What does Marie typically do on an administration night?

12. How many miles did Helen do on a pain au chocolat?

13. How bad was Helen’s melt down on April 29th?  Paulo – this one is for you

14. What limited period offer did Helen and I make available from April 27th? (note - this fabulous offer runs out in 10 days!, buy now.)

15. In sponsorship terms, what is £20 worth to Marie Curie….now boys, you were both at the pre-ride meeting, but were you just drinking the beer? 

16. How much do Helen and I LOVE you to bits for supporting us (2 temperamental but very well meaning women ) throughout this.

The winner gets 4 days peace and quiet from Helen and I ..whilst we do the ride. This may tempt other people who are welcome to play along……

Honestly - the one night I have off I seriously have too much time on my hands! Someone get this woman a bike!

Posted: May 13th, 2008 under Helen's training, Uncategorized, marie's training.
Comments: 7

I simply have to share with you  a facebook message Helen has sent me:

‘276 hours to go!!! waaaaaaahhh. Why did i think it would be wise to work that out?!

x’

Posted: May 12th, 2008 under Helen's training, Uncategorized, marie's training.
Comments: none

I really feel i must back my wee big sis up on this one - there really are some little £$%^s around at the moment, and jeez does a bit of sun bring them out in droves! (excuse my language on this post - they really do make me irate!)

Not being one for riding on the roads of West Yorkshire on my own (drivers are bad enough when Im protected by a car I dare’nt venture on my tod on my bike), I tend to do routes by canals - sections of the route between leeds and silsden being a firm favourite of mine at the moment! Being called lard arse, fatty and having “chug chug roly poly” shouted at me in the last couple of rides I have done on my own, I have got extremely fed up of having my perfectly pleasant rides ruined by these idiots - always young boys - who make me feel like poo, so today I went out with my abusive retorts ready…now i am not proud of this in any way (well actually maybe i am a little bit) but i did feel an immense sense of satisfaction when my response to “hey up love, you’ve got more spare tyres than you’ll ever need on your bike” (being shouted by a pigeon chested chav who was hell bent on trying to kick the hell out of the locks all his mates were sat on) was “well at least i can do something about being fat - what the %^&$ can you do about being an ugly %$£*&^%???” I am ever grateful to the old man sat on a bench I was passing who gave me a round of applause whilst nearly falling off his seat in laughter, just to add to the scrawny beggers pain! No, its not big and its not clever to stoop to their level, but at least I made him look like a bit of a prat in front of his friends, maybe he’ll think twice next time! And no, I wouldn’t have dared had I not been on my bike and had a quick get away at hand, but given the fact that he was naked except for a pair on dubious swimming shorts I could see he had no gun/knives or other weapons ready for me and given the look on my face he probably figured I would have thrown him in the damn canal had he come near. If only

Anyway, rant over, I must go prepare more abuse for the chavs of West Yorkshire

PS. I would love to see them have a go at 60 tired and sugar loaded ladies this time in 2 weeks! Bring it on!!!!! x

Posted: May 11th, 2008 under Helen's training.
Comments: none

if it’s not enough that the good (yet slightly insane) folk of yorkshire get to see me in all my lycra cladded glory, Marie has insisted i get some piccies up here of me ‘in action’…so i better do as im told

Posted: May 9th, 2008 under Helen's training.
Comments: 1

Whilst i have got the hang of eating before a bike ride now (a lesson learned last year after doing 20 miles on a pain au chocolat) one lesson i dont think i have quite learned yet is the consumption of alcohol the night before a bike ride. After many a missed session on the bike in the few weeks due to me actually having a social life for once, I decided yesterday no matter what I was going out…no matter what the state of hangover or wii inflicted injuries and pains- of which there were many. Which is where i come onto my latest discovery and bargain purchase - god bless my little camelbak! That thing was a godsend when your mouth feels like the loveliest of carpets. Not having to stop every 2 mins to get my bottle out (i have not yet mastered the art of getting this out of the rack whilst moving- that is how i end up riding into trees/walls/cars/canals) was a great help to my momentum and motivation. And when you are on the bumpiest and muddiest of rides as we were, my bottle didnt exactly look appealing once caked in mud and god knows what else.

When i say this ride was muddy yesterday, it is no exaggeration! We actually had to stop at the petrol station on the way home to hose everything down with the jet power wash, a sponge and water just wasnt gonna do it! We werent only splatted with muddy water as it usually the case, it was massive clumps of bog-like thick mud dribbling from our bums… leading to Paul thinking one elderly barge owner was checking out my sexy behind at one point when he was simply dumbfounded at my muddy bottom and worried about whether i had a decent washing machine Which leads me to another lesson we are yet to learn - take a change of clothes when going on these expeditions. After once again having to strip in a car park in order to cause minimum mess in the car and practically drive home in my underwear, I think I’ll remember next time…

Anyway, you live and learn! I only wonder what lessons cycling to Amsterdam and back is going to teach me…wish me luck - 18 days to go waaaah!

Posted: May 6th, 2008 under Helen's training.
Comments: 1