Well I can't believe I managed 104 miles in total last week with the most in one day being 32 miles:) the weather made a big difference.

I've had a tyre blow out, a puncture and a broken brake cable . I'll be a bike mechanic by the end of this:).  I've managed a few cups of coffee and the odd bit of cake on the way :) I was also joined by friends who helped with the motivation.  

My trusty steed had a rest at the weekend but we were off out again Monday and Tuesday was a nightmare!!  


The wind and rain was madness. I was soaked to the bone but so glad I went out and faced it.. The thought of someone waiting that very moment for one of those machines kept me moving. 

I know I am lucky to be able to actually get on my bike and move unlike people who are In need of these machines :( 

I also learnt how to tweet this week which is a new one for me but needs must when fundraising :) 

We are up to about £500 now between us all  which is great going, really hoping to raise enough for at least one of these machines. I think the Sam Smith tickets we are raffling will be popular..

Sam (not Smith lol) is at the Marholm car boot on Monday 4th May, so please pop along, pick up a bargain and help this worthwhile cause.

So things have been moving on at a pace now and efforts are going well.  We're starting to recieve sponsorship and donations, although not as fast as we'd like, so please please please donate if you can.

To boost the funds, Jane has been a busy little worker bee. Amongst things she's been up to are:

• Trying to organise article in the Melton Times and the Rutland Times..

• A table top sale at Whissendine sports club, Sat 2nd May at 1:00-15:00 (The kids will be serving Tea and Coffee) - There is still room and a for need buyers and sellers, so please spread the word and help support the cause.
• A raffle, including prizes from Aston Vauxhall in Melton, Waterfield Gym in Melton, A carvery meal for 2 at The White Lion, Whissendine, A cut and blow dry from Antonia Skerrit hair at home , A back ,neck and shoulder massage from Jane herself!!!
  

We have a poster advertising the event, and Jane has been successful in having the put up in  Wilkinsons, Tesco' s, various coffee shops, Pets at home in Oakham and Melton,  she has got the message out on parent mail around Whissendine primary school so this should help spread the word..

As for training, Jane has managed to get to 19 miles, and now feeling brave, is pushing to 23 and is feeling pretty good save for some shoulder ache (I know that feeling too well)!!

Way to go Jane!!

Lee

So I've really stepped up a gear with my training now as it's only just over 4 weeks to go... Scary!!  With the weather being so good this last week, I've been able to put some more miles on the clock thanks to the help of Lee's bike and Strava. A lighter bike really does make a difference, I think I've just inherited a new bike ;-)

I've found a good route from Whittlesey to Ferry Meadows, via the boating lake at Thorpe meadows.  With a couple of circuits around the boating lake, then heading onto ferry meadows and around the sailing lake, before heading back home, this comes in at 24 miles, which I've completed in 2 hours, so I'm very pleased.

Head wind on the way home nearly made me want to give up, but I was determined to do this run without stopping. I'm praying that on the day, it's not windy! I had to have serious worlds with myself about why I was doing this ride to motivate me to finish.. 

By the time I'd finished, I had serious back and bum ache!  I've realised that I'll need a stop for fuel (cake & coffee lol) before the 25 mile point.  The thought of doing another 25 miles on top is going to be a tough mental challenge!!

Admittedly, there is very little in the way of hills, but its been good for getting some distance (plus meeting up occasionally for a coffee with Lee or friends)!

Strava tells me I've ridden 80 miles this week, so I'm hopefully making progress.

50 miles in one day is another story, but the reason is all worth while.

Love Lou

So this last week or so, I've had a little problem with the car which has meant that I've had to spend more time than necessary on the bike...

It's been a blessing really, during which time I've managed to get in a few miles and catch up with Lee and Louise for a ride around ferry meadows with the families.

A nice time was had by all, and I've managed to gain an a deputy assistant cyclist... Little Molly is now a firm member of the team, after making serious efforts to push Mummy up the hills of castor on her new tag-along....

There is no stopping me now...

Love Sam.

So you may or may not have signed up to follow us on Twitter, and if you have, you should be warned.... We're on a mission to get some publicity for our cause..

For those that don't get all this fuss about twitter?  Well, much the same as other social media, it's a way to connect with people.  There are no geographical boundaries, the whole world becomes your audience..  

With this is mind, we're hoping to start sending tweets to those that are following us (you can follow us here) about how we're all getting on with the training and if I can manage it, a running commentary during the event itself.  We're also looking to raise awareness with many public figures and ask them to help publicise our cause to their own followers... watch this space!

Training this weekend consisted on a slightly unconventional 10 mile seaside walk for Louise and I (although I definitely prefer cycling than walking 10 miles over sand!) and to our delight have found several more cycle routes for us to put some miles on within the great setting of Holkham Hall in Norfolk.

With palliative care still in the news this week, it's highlighting a system that needs a complete overhaul sooner rather than later. These are real people, not statistics and this is happening now..

We hope that by our fundraising, we can make a difference in a system that is struggling NOW!!

If you can help by sharing our message, donating or even just publicising our efforts, it is very much appreciated.

We have a poster freely available to download here

Lee

So Louise and I have just returned from a week in the lakes.  The intention was to do some walking, hiking and some exercise...

It rained pretty much non-stop with snow on one particular day, but despite this we did manage to get a few miles in (although some of them ended up at the best cake shop in the whole of the UK - The Apple Pie in Ambleside - Bath buns and Hot cross buns are from another world!!).

We were impressed with the number of cyclists we saw whizzing about, and in all fairness, some of the hill climbs we walked up have given us an indication of the fitness levels needed to motor up them on a cycle.  It's not going to be easy from the route we're following on race day.

We also met up with Sam and her family for a quick jaunt.  Was a nice 18 mile ride and a mooch around Ferry Meadows country park. It's a tribute to the cycle ways around the Green wheel that can largely get you around the city of Peterborough and surrounding towns safely without needing to travel on many roads.

We've also had great news that a number of other participants are joining our team for race day.

It seems palliative care and it's current state is making headlines in the news (see this BBC article), so this really is a worthwhile cause so please donate if you can.

We're also hoping to go live on twitter very soon, so keep an eye out on our tweets.

Lee and Louise