IT'S DONE

Yes, I did it! All the training paid off and I had a great time. The sun shone down on us and the scenery was fantastic. There were some tough bits but the hard work I did in the cold and rain around Cheshire made it enjoyable instead of painful!

Most importantly THANKS. Thanks to everyone who sponsored me. I probably won't be able to say thanks to everyone personally but I will try and say thanks to as many as I can.

Shame the rugby wasn't as good as the cycling.
Thanks also to Austin Healey and John Inverdale for welcoming us in Paris when we were all knackered!


There are pics available here's a taster
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb254/scopephotos/Damian%20Crawford/DSC_0311.jpg

Bonjour!

So here I am in Paris CDG airport after watching Bernard Laporte's side self destruct in front of an expectant French crowd last night. They were not pleased. I am a little nervous about the fact that I seem to be developing a cold. Please don't let it be so. Some better news is that the weather seems to be getting better and is supposed to be glorious next week for the ride. Let's hope so.
My tickets for the Paris quarter final might yet become the object of Irish desire.
If you are going to any games, my advice is leave plenty of time to get there as the metro was rammed. Also take a few beers with you as outside the ground was badly organised in terms of food and drink sales. Didn't seem to bother the locals but I am sure it will be a hassle if you like a drink and a feed at the ground.
Bring on that bike ride and bring on South Africa! (Brave words sat here!)

Countdown and thanks

So............ not long to go. My neck is holding up and I am looking forward to my trip. Thanks so much for the latest sponsorship money. Thanks to one of my customers too at Whatman Fibre in Kent! Thanks to the Tigers fans and Sale fans who sponsored me and Kath from the England site (and any I may have missed)
Now to the bit that will make you sick! I can't train a week on Friday/Saturday because I have tickets for the opening ceremony and opening game, France v Argentina. Should be a cracker.
First up though, Sutti, Platty and myself have to coax our seconds through a tricky fixture against Birkenhead Park 2nds at home. I will have to get a big ride done in the morning too so an early start will be required! Oh well, some beers and a well eraned break aren't far away.
Have done some maintenance on my bike too. Should keep it in good form for the ride!

1st setback?

Unsurprisingly it seems I have overdone it. In an effort to get into tip top shape I have injured my neck. I was swimming and cycling alternate days. How on earth I have injured my neck doing that I really don't know. Must be bad technique somewhere along the line. Anyway some rest has improved it and I have been hitting the step machine instead.
One bit of good news, I am currently the lightest I have been since I set off for Sheff Poly some XX years ago! 12 st 6. Remarkably though, according to the BMI scale, I should be about 6ft 3 not 5ft 10 (in stacks). I wonder how tall Jason Leonard should be by that scale?
Anyway, one last push for fitness and sponsorship. In the words of those weird woollen things off the TV car ads "C'mon"

Long time no blog

Well, what a busy few weeks. I have to confess I just haven't had time to look at my blog but here we go. Well I have now become a Level 2 rugby coach and a qualified Nitrox diver. I had a week in Sharm, Egypt and dived with Hammerhead sharks off the back of Jackson Reef in the straits of Tiran. Met some great people in Sharm so a big hello to those infamous sea-dogs, the Seagull Gang.
Coming back to work was a bit of a shock and coaching in the rain wasn't too pleasant after 35 degrees of heat in Sharm. Of course my training took a bit of a hit but I managed to get around 100 miles in this week and 2 x 30 minute swimming sessions so not too shabby. I really need to get the mileage up from now to the event. The target is 150 miles a week and 2 or 3 swimming sessions but that is a tall order looking at my workload.

Anyway, back to the diving. It was a fab week and I hope to get some piccies posted very soon so keep watching. I also managed to get a great dive in on the SS Thistlegorm when it was unusually quiet. Thanks to Jim from Ocean College for being a top guide all week.

Shoe Fetish........

I set off on Sunday to meet Chester RC but I was the only one there. Are they trying to tell me something? Anyway in a moment of sheer lunacy I decided I would head off up the Horseshoe again. I took it easy on the way as I knew what was waiting and felt pretty good at the Ponderosa. However the climb over the old road was really tough. It wasn't helped when a lady flagged me down for directions half way up a steep section. When I jumped back on my bike to set off again, the rear wheel just span in the wet and I ended up in a pile on the floor. With a small bruise to my arm and a huge bruise to my pride I set off again dodging the sheep that seemed intent on making me look stupid twice in one day! How on earth the game of "Chicken" got it's name I don't know. It should have been called "Sheep". In any case I was in a bad way by the time I got home. I really was shattered this time. I did a slightly different route of 64 miles. The middle 20 miles takes as long as the first and last 20 combined! Just shows how slow the climbs are. I don't think I'll be entering the tour! I also met a couple of other masochistic cyclists at the Ponderosa cafe who train at Total Fitness in Chester. I was slightly upset that they didn't look half as knackered as me!




However one thing to look forward to, I have booked a weeks scuba diving in the Red Sea. I can't wait.
This was me in Tenerife last year poking around a wreck. I plan to go to the SS Thistlegorm this time. Its an early start and a late return but should be worth it.

Horseshoe Hell Pt 2

So with the horseshoe conquered once I was feeling cocky last Saturday and decided to do the Pass again from home this time. I picked out a route which returned over a road nr the Horseshoe. I was a little worried as I didn't know this road and couldn't remember ever passing the turning before, even in my motorbiking days. Still, it couldn't be harder than the horseshoe could it?

Lesson 1 - Never trust a map. It looked like the road followed the valley. Oh how I wish I had used an OS map and not a road map. Half way up this killer climb on the return journey I started to realise that this was easily the hardest ride I had done to date by a huge margin.

Lesson 2 - Never assume the hard bit is done. Once at the Ponderosa at the top of the horseshoe I had thought I had done all the really hard climbing. Little did I realise that I was about to lose most of the altitude in a 5 min high speed descent only to have to climb it all again on a single track road!

Attached a pic of offending return climb for anyone who fancies a go. The ride was planned to be 55 miles but turned out to be 58 by after an unplanned deviation from the route! Whoops

Still, the weather was fantastic and the road to Minera was completely empty. Despite the fact I was completely "cream crackered" it was very enjoyable. I even managed a quick ride on Tuesday morning without too much of that weak leg feeling I normally get for a few days after a big ride.

The rest of this week is a bit of a write off in terms of training. I am commissioning some equipment this week and on a stag weekend. Next week its back to Somerset and Blagdon Hill. Let's see if it's any easier. Surely a doddle after the horseshoe? Maybe not.

ALSO A BIG BIG THANKS TO MY RECENT SPONSORS. KEEP IT COMING I NEED ALL THE SPONSORSHIP I CAN GET

The Horseshoe Pass

It looks like a small innocuous squiggly line on a map. The 3 dimensional version however poses some serious questions about fitness. Myself and the Clarkster decided it was time that the Horseshoe was shown who was boss. Just to make it more difficult we planned a 45 mile route with the Pass as the prize at the end. What we didn't realise was just how hilly the rest of our route was. 45 miles is a doddle I told him! 45 miles over some big hills in the pouring rain wasn't such a doddle.

Actually we had a great time despite the rain. We chose to climb the steep side from Ruthin. The idea was we could get the pain over in a short, sharp shock. It wasn't as hard as we had expected although I won't claim for a second it was easy. Ric is as fit as a butcher's dog with legs like pistons from years of weight training and, more recently, rowing. I therefore didn't feel guilty about using him as a windbreak when we were on the top of the hills! He was riding his old Raleigh which is almost 20 years old and despite some disagreements with his front chain ring it munched up the miles with ease. The carbon geeks of today would probably run away in fear if they saw a 15 stone bloke on a bike made of iron girders flying down the horseshoe at speeds over 50mph (according to our computers!!!!) For my own part I had put a chain ring with one less tooth on the front than standard. Actually the smallest I can get on a 130bcd chain ring (if that means anything to anyone) It helped and I never struggled with any climbs all day.

We both agreed it was a good measure of fitness and we will most definitely go for it again.

Weekend Fun

Saturday was a long day. Chester won the Law College Sevens in a convincing showing. I managed to raise around £35 just by collecting from the few that were spectating. Thanks to last years Senior Colts side who all donated to the cause. They also looked to be probably the second strongest side there. They must have had some good coaching somewhere in the past eh? Mind you, I did my best to undo all of Platty and Dave Craven's work.

It was also "Cartwheel jnr's" 30th at the club in the evening. James Bond was the theme so Amanda and I went as Solitaire and Baron Samedi. I stayed off the drink so I could ride this morning (Sunday). We managed to squeeze around 50 miles in before the rain came down. I am now pretty tired though! I have now completed 800km on my new bike. Still not under 30 mins on that time trial yet. Need to shave 20 seconds off.

Hope you like the pics from Lee's do. Amanda and yours truly on the left. Dr. Paul Evil Hayes in the middle and James Bond (who does not need more cake in my opinion!) on the right.

More mileage, more pain!

I went to the time trial on Thursday. There were some serious cyclists there and I even got whupped by a young 'un! OK, so now there is a target set. I won't lie, it was hard. Ten miles as fast as you can go. They were flying and I, needless to say, was not. Still, it was an experience and I'm going to keep turning up to see how much I can improve.
With that done I ventured back out with the road club again on Sunday. Really enjoyed it as they are a pretty friendly bunch. We went just short of a whopping 70 miles on this one! Both legs were aching but quite a bit of soreness in the scar tissue in my thigh and knee in the evening and today. Still that's probably a sign that it's breaking some of it down. We all live in hope! Neck and shoulders felt it too. All in all though, not as frightening as it sounds and in a sick way, quite good fun.
Weather doesn't look too great this week. Will need to keep an eye out to see when I can squeeze in some miles. Once my legs feel a bit stronger that is. Thursday I'm aiming to get under 30 minutes on that 10 mile time trial.

Macc's fish swallowing champion

What an interesting week. I squeezed in a couple of rides on Monday and Tuesday last week and then went to Sweden on a business trip so training was out of the question for a couple of days. I managed to become the company rally champion on my trip at a special evening function in Karlstad! As it was only the remote control car and playstation version I guess it's not quite Colin McRae's standard.

On my return home I had to spend Friday night in Copenhagen. I met up with the Macclesfield Rugby club Vets team who were out there playing a tournament in Malmo. I met them for a bite to eat and a quiet beer as you can see from the picture! This is one of them in his Danish beard and hat choking on a fish. You can just see the tail sticking from his mouth! We then made some new friends - a group of Danish doctors and nurses who were out in town for the night and who liked a drink to say the least. I was desperately trying to stay sober so I didn't miss my flight and they were keen to see if they could get me drunk. A big hello to Erling from Copenhagen! I hope your hangovers weren't too bad.

I have to say that they were extremely friendly and really looked after me so a big thanks to them for making a potentially dull night in a hotel into a fun filled night on the town!

I didn't manage to train on Saturday but made up for the lack of effort in the week with a 58 miler on Sunday with Chester Road Club. Thoroughly enjoyable but by Sunday night I was shattered!

I doubt this week will be quite as exciting. Planning to do a time trial on Thursday night. Not really the right prep for long rides but I fancy testing myself throughout the year to see how much improvement I can make.

Thanks Sale FC

First chance to update the blog for a while. Work has been very busy. This week is much the same with a trip to Sweden for a few days. It's tough trying to squeeze in the training hours.

Well after a bit of a stutter on the fundraising side Sale Rugby (the amateur boys) have made a fantastic donation to my efforts. Here's their site http://www.salefc.com A big thanks for such a generous donation. They also have some amazing facilities down there and it's always a pleasure going there. I'm hoping a few other clubs will come up with the goods too once I get letters out to them.

Thanks also to DonnaC for making a donation.

On another note, I made contact with Chester Road club and plan to become a member and join them for rides on a Sunday morning. 50 miles on a Sunday will mean definitely no drinking at the weekend from now on. Oh well, I don't suppose it will do me any harm!

I will try and get some new pics up soon.

The ups and downs.......

Well last week wasn't so good for training. On Thursday I managed to do the 50k route again in a much quicker time but we went away to Cornwall for a few days so training was severely interrupted. Great trip though. Heligan and Eden were fab days out. Just missed all the Easter holiday hordes too. We stayed in Mevagissey which is a lovely little place. Today I managed to sneak in a 46k hilly route. Wow was it hilly. The first section climbed from Taunton (Somerset) up a place called Blagdon Hill. It was low gear stuff for about 25 minutes at the start and was a sequence of climbs and descents into Devon. Great, but there were a few leg pounding moments. I'll post the route when I get a chance to.
Sponsorship is getting tough. I have a very very big offer but can't put details here yet. That will take me most of the way to my minimum. I need to get more active on the sponsorship side. Sale Sharks have promised to put something in their prog for the next game. Fingers crossed.

I have also a new piccie for advertising. I am dressed in my lycra leggings. I have a bright yellow top on. I look like a big fat yellow chicken with those drumstick legs! Nice

50 k route nailed!

Friday night was a fairly heavy night at the Rugby Club sportsman's dinner. The speaker was Graham Rowntree and he was excellent and we all had a good night. Managed to get £30 out people at the bar, not too shabby. The boozing meant no training on Saturday so my weekend ride was this morning. 50km through the Cheshire countryside. Very nice it was too and I didn't feel I was struggling anywhere. However now I have been home for a few hours I am totally spent. My legs are tired as hell and I am shattered. Early night for me I think! The route is attached.

Time on bike so far

1150 mins

First long(ish) ride

So, Saturday morning I crawled out of my pit at 630am and was out on the bike by 710am! It was seriously windy, so windy in fact that one long downhill section nr Willington became a virtual climb as I battled into the headwind. Still considering I didn't know the route and had to keep checking my map I managed the 24 miles in 1hr40. I felt I was taking it pretty easy so I'll see how much I can get that down by. I eenjoyed it more than I expected and going out at that time meant the day was left free for other things and more importantly there was no traffic around!
I managed to get a load of flyers out at the Rugby Club but with no result so far in terms of extra sponsorship. They were too busy griping about England's poor showing (apart, of course, from our Welsh contingent).
Had to dig the allotment today, Amanda has wrecked her back. Garlic planted, spud bed prepared. How old do I sound now? It's all to do with reducing our carbon footprint and becoming a bit greener and nothing to do with becoming old before our time, honest!

Generous bunch

Thanks to all you generous people who are donating. I didn't realise I knew so many generous people!

Spread the word and get your friends to sponsor too!

Thanks again everyone, I am blown away by the response so far. www.justgiving.com/eggchaser

This weeks training....

Ok so a "retox" weekend celebrating Peter's 40th in the Lake District doesn't sound much like a good training week but in fact I am still ahead of my training schedule. Not by much but still ahead. Thanks Stan and Michelle for a top weekend. Mal's barrel of "Deva Station" did the majority of the damage to those struggling to stay upright. A marvellous brew! (Spitting Feathers)

This weekend I need to get in another 2 hr ride though as well as watch the rugby, dig the allotment and fly some birds of prey! Should be fun.

The swing crank was returned in double quick time and they have done a superb job again at Highpath. New bike is set up how I want it now and so there are no excuses to get the miles done.

Planning to get some diving in as the weather improves too. Recently picked up a dry suit and tank to complete my kit so those need testing!

New Bike

Well my new bike arrived, a Trek 1200. I can't believe how much lighter it is compared to my old bike! Thanks Ric for the use of his old Raleigh for my rehab!

The Trek's crank is now at Highpath getting modified. Hopefully it will be back soon. They are normally super speedy so I think I will be out on it sooner rather than later.

On the training front, I had planned a 2 hr ride in the lovely Cheshire countryside at the weekend but when I opened the curtain at 0645 on Saturday morning the light drizzle didn't look too welcoming so I went back to bed. I spent 2 hours on Saturday night on the turbo trainer whilst watching the Director's cut of Donnie Darko on DVD. I was expecting to wake up in agony on Sunday but there were no really bad effects. I even got a 4o minute session in on Monday morning!

Work is interfering with my schedule this week so I am having to sneak in a bit of swimming to make up for it.

Looking forward to my first spin out on the roads on the Trek. Any ideas for names for it will be considered. JT (as in Captain James T. Kirk) is top of the list so far! Corny and obvious I know.

Also Chester 1sts and 3rds won so things improving there but Sale were battered by an improving Sarries team by all reports. I didn't listen to it on the radio but I hear it was grim from our point of view. Never mind, as long as they keep battling!

Rugby Misery

As an Englishman, a Sale fan and a Chester RUFC member it was a very miserable weekend all round. Sale were turned over by a very streetwise LI side. Chester 1sts and 2nds both beaten despite battling hard and England, well, need I say anything? Well done Ireland, they did their country proud. It was always on the cards but a little candle of optimism burned on the run up to the game. The only hope was that it would be all too much for them. How wrong?

On another note, I will be riding under a provisonal classification of LC2 for my disability. I have one eye on doing a few events before the Scope ride. Let's see how fit I can get first.

Training is on schedule, I even sneaked and extra 35 minute session in last week! Let's hope I can keep that level of motivation. That's one good thing about a blog. Any slacking will be reported in order to shame myself into action.

Friday night

It's Friday and it's Sale v London Irish tonight (www.salesharks.com). Can't wait. I'm totally over the moon with the response to the www.justgiving.co.uk/eggchaser site. I have hardly told anyone about this yet as I am still trying to organise lots of things and already the sponsorship is coming in. A big thanks to those people who have sponsored. Of course, it's going to get harder and harder but surely that's the point? If it was easy to raise money we wouldn't need to do charity events.
No takers on a sponsor for training gear yet. I sense I will need a big effort on that front. Jeantex on Cheshire Oaks have said they will let me leave flyers in the shop which will hopefully generate some interest.
The mileage increases next weekend. Two hour ride on a hilly route on Saturdays, as well as the 3 x 1 hr sessions midweek. Still a long way from what is needed to complete the event but 5 weeks into the training plan I'm already feeling stronger on the bike. Let's hope that continues.

Second sponsor

Thanks Lucy! Next jobs are to get some photos on my blog site.
I have been busy looking for a new bike. Looks like I will go for a Trek 1000. It seems the only thing I can afford. Wow, my first car cost less than most of these new bikes!
I am also hoping that whoever gets my business will chuck in some free or discounted clothing with their logo on the back. Surely someone with a bit of marketing sense will seize the opportunity for a bit of publicity?

If anyone has any good ideas for fundraising don't be afraid to shout up.

Learning to spell

What a sign of the Times, how could I post a blog with two horrendous spelling mistakes? I blame Bill Gates and his "spellcheck" society! Now corrected.
....and a big thanks to Handsome Jes who has kicked off the donations on my "justgiving" webpage. Many thanks Jes. I will have to make sure they get a mention now, see below!

Power Solutions provide a time and money saving service sourcing electricity and gas contracts for businesses and industry. If you run a business and you need someone to find your way through the maze of quotes and rates then contact Jeremy or Amanda at Powersolutions in Chester for some free advice.

My Blog - Day 1

Well, here's my blog and as a virgin blogger I must say I am a little nervous.

It's not day one of training though. A few weeks in and the saddle doesn't seem quite like a "razor blade " now. Yellow Pages advert anyone? One more week before the big mileage starts - ouchie! Which will be harder? The training, the event or the fundraising? Don't forget to visit my just giving page www.justgiving.com/eggchaser and start donating

OK off to work out how the hell I raise this money!

(Spelling now corrected!)