What Have I Done?

[DaveP]

Merlin,

Doing London to Geneve for beach ward and the young adult section at Guy's and Tommies.

I am a living doner to my son, graft in place for 8 years now, best thing that I have ever done.

Go for it and good luck

 

[BigonaBianchi]

..you will be ok..just keep on keeping on and you'll be under the Eiffel tower before you can say bagquette.

When I joined this board 2 years ish ago I was a BigTallFatBloke of 21 stone, hopeless at everything and unable to walk 100yards without getting breathless. Lat summer I rode from the top of Germany down to Basel in Switzerland. Two weeks later I set out again and rode down to Montpellier on the Med. All with a four pannier camping load and tent.
Now I am the biggest berk out there...really....and I didnt have as 'worthy' a cause as you have to drive me on.
The secret is that there is no secret...just keep riding every day.

 

[merlinmagic]

Ok things have moved very fast. I spoke with one of the people at the company I work at (I'm a self employed contractor so technically not employed) and the girl who gets involved in the charity work is helping me with raising the money. We work in a building with local radio and some other corporate sponsors all of whom she has contacts with so it looks like I might not have such a struggle on that front.

That's a big relief. Now the motivation part. Thanks to some very kind people on here who took the time to pm me I am now really excited about it. Plus have had a huge lunch full of complex carbs and I am now walking on air.

Things have just started to come together again. Thank you to all who have taken the time to read my thread, reply and pm. I needed a bit of encouragement.

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

I have no practical advice at all to offer you, being at about the same level as you in terms of distance. But please let me offer you some encouragement .. this is an amazing thing that you are doing and hats off to you for taking it on. I'm sure you'll be fine .. just take it at your own pace.

 

[Kirstie]

The best advice I could give is get some good cycling shorts, a saddle and bike you are comfortable on, and build up the cycling slowly and steadily from week to week. If you start at 10 miles now, you could be up to 30 by early Feb. Stick at that for a couple of weeks, then increase it again. It is amazing what you can achieve. It's not nearly as hard as you think. Also as you do the ride itself, day by day your fitness will increase massively.

 

[trj977]

Hi

I did London to Paris last year at the beginning of Sept for the Royal British Legion and made it all the way despite the horrendous weather at the beginning.

So have they advised you on a training schedule if not let me know and I will send a copy of what we had. Longest ride we did beforehand was about 60 miles but still managed the long first day without trouble. The trick seems to be to get plenty of mileage in your legs. As the days get longer you will be able to get out more. I would suggest that you aim to build up to 2 or 3, 20 - 30 mile runs during the week with a long run 40 - 60 at the weekend. For now you could aim for a couple of 8 -10 during the week, and a 20 at the weekend.
I would also advise as you get fitter and do longer rides get plenty of hill work in. To our cost we didn't and I struggled on some of the hills but was still only beaten by Dover Hill. France was not as flat as I thought! Hope some of this make sense and helps, it worked for us.

I am sure that you will not only make but also really enjoy it, I know I did and the sense of achievement is something else.

Best of luck to you and your wife. If I can be of any help just let me know.

 

[merlinmagic]

So 16 miles today. Now totally exhausted. Don't think I will go the long way tomorrow give myself a rest.

Loved cycling today in the end. Definitely an early night tonight.

Thanks everyone for your offers of help and support.

If anyone fancies sponsoring me you can do so at www.justgiving.co.uk/matthewearley

 

[RedBike]

So sent off my money and form for London To Paris July 2009. Today I got approved!!!

It sounds like you've done the hardest bit (entering)

I think one of the ladies on cyclechat did it last year. Bugsie(sp)

 

[Cathryn]

Late as ever to this thread but so excited for you - I'm hugely impressed by your courage, which is evident in how you look after your wife, let alone the bike trip!! I can't really add much to the wonderful advice you've already received but wanted to add my encouragement - don't get defeated, just build up bit by bit and keep focussed. I think having a goal REALLY helps and you have a wonderful goal, so keep going!!

 

[montage]

Part of a cycling club?
If not, don't be afraid to join one and try out the club runs, they will cater for all abilities so I am sure that you will be fine with them.
Anyway, you are allready cycling which is more than alot of people would be doing in your situation. Taking the bull by the horns and just getting on your bike is more or less the best thing for it so congratulations on that one!

Concerning the 95 miles on the first day, you will be more than ready by july Just set yourself aim, possibly monthly aims such as doing a 15 mile ride by the end of next month? then upping that to 20/25 the month afterwards.

Oh and about that mental barrier you experienced from running, if you are to experience the same thing cycling turn your mind back to what our friend accross the pond, Lance said:
“Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.”


Congratulations on this feat anyhow sounds like a brilliant cause. I hope that it goes smoothly for you and that Mrs Merlin doesn't have any more trouble

You will ace this

 

[montage]

oh and a nifty idea for fundraising, get a banner/poster advertising your cause, pack up your bike and turbo trainer and head to the nearest busy shopping centre, and with their permission of course, plod it out on the trainer for a while and watch (hope) people are taken aback by this crazy tactic and donate

I've heard of this being used before and it raised a substantial amount - not suggesting you do it, just throwing it out there as an idea which can be developed on.

 

[merlinmagic]

That's a great idea. Thanks

Will definitely remember the Armstrong mantra. Well tomorrow is day 2 looking forward to it already.

Good night Jim Bob

 

[Night Train]

An excellent thing to do, what a great challenge!
I hope it goes really well for you.

Put your sponsor link in your sig.

 

[Ravenz]

Good luck to you... and if for any reason you you can't manage it, I'll step in and do the pedalling for ya!

((ps interesting thread .. I'd try and move it to the Rides section before it gets 'lost' in the utter dross in this section))

 

[trj977]

Just got my invite for 2009 P2P for Royal British Legion. In it is a suggested training schedule:

5 - 6 months before.
60 miles a week, Break it down to manageable pieces 2 x 15 during the week 30 at the weekend.

3 - 4 months before.
Same during the week total of 30 but longer weekend 40 - 45 with some pit stops.

1 - 2 months before.
Increase weekday rides to 20 miles each keep weekend at 40 -45

2 - 4 weeks before
Don't push too hard. Once or twice a week, try to get out and do a 20 miler. At the weekend try and a slightly longer non stop ride up to about 30 miles.

Hope this helps. It got us there last year but we should have done more of the training on hills.

All the best