7th Aug
Sorry to not have updated in such a long period of time, exams, finding a job and sorting stuff out made me completely forget to be honest. Well, in short, it's all fallen apart. Whilst I'll update the full story when I'm back (ominous and confusing statement, see below for answers), Jeff's sister was no longer able to provide the support car which made it all a bit of a pickle. Whilst Jeff's friend was able to help us out for about 3 days, it was too late to really sort anything out. Because of all the kerfuffle, Ben ended up pulling out, having not really trained, and his dates to be able to do the ride diminishing anyway. That said however, because of the money that people have very generously sent me for such a good cause, I've been determined to do something. As such, when speaking to my friend Lucy, we decided to have a trip to Paris together. What's more, is that I said that I'd cycle and meet her there (mystery solved!).
Unfortunately my knee is pretty screwed and I've been told by the doc not to do anything, so I'm going to have to take it fairly easy. However the plan is tomorrow (Monday) to do London to Brighton, then over to Dieppe, then about half way to Paris, and finally on to meet Lucy on Friday. Having a couple of days with her seeing the sights and recovering, I'm then going to see how my knee is, and whether I can make the trip up to Lille, across to Calais and ultimately back home. Alternatively, if I'm not feeling great I may just cycle back the way I came, or if I can barely walk I'll just hop on the eurostar back home.
For all those who donated and supported me, I'm truly sorry that it's come to this. I hate the fact that the big plan didn't come off, but hopefully this (should I manage to get there) will be some consolation. At least the money is going to a fantastic cause, and I'm determined that I'll do it one day.
So that's kind of it. Off up to Clapham Common tomorrow to start the trip. Wish me luck : )
14th May
Took Jippy out on his first ride today, and boy was eventful. Arriving at his house with him wearing his brand new cycling shoes, I noted a distinct lack of cleats, rendering them about as useful as a chocolate teapot. But undeterred by Jeff's stupidity we headed back to Evans Cycles, got it sorted, and before long were off.
Cycling along the seafront towards Shoreham, Jeff not only got his first taste of pedestrians mindlessly walking across cycle paths, but had his first fall. Not quite navigating round a family out on a bike ride (brings back memories) he failed to un-clip the right leg and tumbled over into a lady. Pillock. Sadly however this was not to be Jeff's last event of the day.
In the process of climbing to the top of Saltdean and back, Jip took a total of 3 more tumbles and just for good measure knocked into an unsuspecting pedestrian. Though laughing (expect the last time when Jeff got angry and kicked his bike), I'm very aware that having not yet fallen off my time will come.
Apart from these events, overall the ride was fairly smooth. In spite of a couple of knackering hill climbs chucked in we felt surprisingly fresh at the end of our 36km ride - http://soc.li/qR8C3LJ
8th May
Instead of cycling training, wicket kept (if that's a verb) in our second league cricket match, which we managed to win - hazaah!! Knee not fantastic, but the 3 catches, 1 stumping and winning runs I hit sooth the pain. Now, back to revision and assessment day prep.
5th May
After my "great day" my knee was agony on the next , but at least I didn't collapse during the cycle. If I can do this bike ride, I've got the rest of my life to recover [nervous whimper]. Also, found out that Jippy has got accute tonsillitis/glandular fever. Having had it myself a while back my prayers are with you ol' pal, get better soon!
3rd May
Great day!! Not only did I found out that I got onto a marketing summer school that I'd applied for, but I also found out that I got through to the assessment day for a grad scheme at Starcom MediaVest!! Even better than that however, I covered just under 20 miles on the bike without much being enormously out of breath!!
2rd May
With exams and 24,000 words to hand in in a few weeks I've unfortunately had to experience the nice weather from the inside of a library this week. However, my sad looking bike is enticing me and I think I might have to go out tomorrow, lord knows I need to.
25th Apr
Back from cricket tour, having taken the plunge and wicket kept for 5 games, and no real problems for my knees. Moderate twinges but considering that each match involves doing roughly 300 squats, am fairly pleased.
10 Apr
Right, well the bike is fixed (sort of - gear changes aren't all that smooth sometimes) and I've finally been out on a ride! Was fairly nervous about not being able to de-clip my shoes and falling over foolishly, so was a bit tentative - and looking hilarious in all my bike gear.
This bike is QUICK! Which is awesome, but I sooooo nearly lost control going quickly over some uneven ground on a hill just outside of Brighton, very scary. Apart from that, sunny day, lovely ride, about 1.5 hours with some stops to look at the sea (and recover a bit). The best bit, my knee wasn't even that bad afterwards!! Fingers crossed...
5th Apr
Finally taken the plunge and bought a protein shake. I know, I know, I'm becoming one of those overly testosterony "look-at-me-I-go-to-the-gym" sort of people, but at least it's only a "recovery" one, and not full on pretentious protein. Having tasted the supposedly chocolaty flavour, I'd say it's a mixture of the milk you get when you put Coco Pops in, and cardboard; but it's vaguely palatable. Also bought some pretty gloves . Not much to say about them yet as I haven't actually ridden a bike so far. Soon though. Soon.
4th Apr
Did the acupuncture properly for the first time! Asked to be shown by the physio, as I realised that I wasn't actually shown how to do it in the first place. Very painful and the needle got a little stuck, but biting my lip I managed to eventually yank it out.
1st Apr
Right, well a mixture of news to speak of. The bike news isn't as bad as it could be, the shifters don't need changing which is a positive, but the rear dérailleur does, meaning that (having managed to price match it with Evans) it's gong to cost £140. Having had no response from my e-mails to the eBay seller I may have to open the dreaded "case" on PayPal to try and get some form of reimbursement, failing that pay for it myself.
Knees not so good, acupuncture still not going that well, but back on the bike and back up to doing hour rides without much trouble. Did 20m in 1h12sec yesterday (but only on a gym bike) with house mate Tom "Ace" Whiting whose joining me in the London to Brighton this June.
Separate to that, I'm sitting here typing this in a shiny new pair of cycling shoes! Whilst technically I don't actually have a bike to clip them into yet, I still think I look pretty cool. As Jeff noted however, I'm definitely on the path to being the guy with all the gear and no idea.
Also, the hair on my knees really isn't growing back quickly at all...
27th Mar
Bike Disaster! Having sent the bike off to Halfords to get tuned up whilst I browse shoes, I get a bad, bad call. Apparently the chain is set to snap, the cassette is heavily worn down and both need replacing. Additionally, there's a potential that the shifters are shot too! If that's the case it could be about £400 to sort it out... Not happy one bit. I've e-mailed my eBay chum to ask for a bit of help for my bike that was supposedly in "awesome condition", thoug hI have a feel as though i may need to flex my legalistic muscles to get him to budge at all.
25th Mar
Ow! Conjured up the guts to try this acupuncture malarkey, but not 100% I did it right - or at least as well as Stuart. Ah well, I'm sure I'll get better with practice.
23rd Mar
Saw my team, foolish people. I tell them I've been really good and rested and not done any sport (only a very slight porky), to which I am then told that there was no reason why I shouldn't have been exercising. WHAT?! Talk about mixed messages eh? However, apparently the immense pain I've been in is a good thing, it means that the ligament is revascularising - I think it means getting more blood to it so that it can heal itself.
On bonus side, they submitted and have given me some needles to stick into my knee. Could be interesting...
17th Mar
Still been really good (apart from going to last ever Sports Centre cricket training - sob), but knee in agony. Really hurts
10th Mar
Been really good, literally not done anything remotely sporty, but knee hurts more than did last week.
3rd Mar
Saw physios (I'm building a team). As knee feeling a bit better, after more acupuncture I was told to rest for ANOTHER 2 WEEKS! Refused to let me have needles to self acupuncture as well. Ah well, one can but ask
28th Feb
DISASTER!! At cricket training who should walk in.....Stuart! Cue awkward conversation as I try to explain why I'm doing exercise : S On the plus side, he did see me bowl Ferg middle stump.
27th Feb
Saw new physio (Stuart), did some acupuncture, taped up, and told me the worst thing to do right now....rest. Uuurgh! Ah well, doctors orders I guess.....After cricket training tomorrow
24th Feb
Been ill since coming back from cricket training on Saturday. Rubbish. Planing on trying to make it to the gym tomorrow....and maybe even make up this bike that's taking so much space in my little room.
19th Feb
Physio wants another physio to take a look, i.e. not sure what to do : S However, my bike has arrived, and despite paying £470, its in better nick than I though it would be! Now if I could just figure out how to put it together...
13th Feb
Mixed day, got knee (singular) taped up at physio. Andy decided that the left one doesn't kneed it (get it), so I have one bald knee for a while (I guess I deserve it for that pun). On a more positive note, bought a bike! A bit old, but really good parts mean that it should be great. Introducing.... the Specialized Allez Elite!
12th Feb
Waxed knees this eve, verdict: Hurts less than I thought it would, but still fairly *cough* really *cough* painful. Each individual strip doesn't hurt THAT much, but the amount you have to do gets in your head. Ah well, I now have silky smooth knees : )
8th Feb
Still giong doing hour long rides, but is far far easier than it was. Normally covering about 19 miles - though I'm aware that outside it'll be a lot harder. Missed out on one or two eBay and gumtree bikes, for those bike buffs out there, I'm looking to get at least a Shimano Tiagro groupset or better if possible.
7th Feb
Jeff's got a bike! Great one too, however it does mean that my bike has to at least be as good as his, or it'll drive me crazy cycling behind him knowing that he's got it easier lol.
Also, I wasn't going to put this in as it was a bit naughty of me, so I've only put it in on 1st April.
The other day, having been cycling a fair bit during the week I felt a bit thirsty at cricket training on Saturday, but forgot to have a drink. In fact, all day I was thirsty but I just kept forgetting to have a drink. In the evening I started to feel very fatigued. I know it's a stupid sign, but I can always tell when I'm really ill because I become too lazy to move my mouth when I talk. Having been sitting in Tutku's room it almost felt as though I was drunk, acting fairly silly but still extremely lethargic. I went to go to bed, but didn't quite make it (to next door!), so just lay on the stairs for about 45 minutes, at which point Ben/tom found me and put me into my bed. Now this is the silly bit. My bed being on laminate flooring it's always a bit slippery. As I rolled over towards the wall my bed slipped out a bit and I fell down the side. Stupid I know. Upon saying that I was fine, everyone in the house went out and left me where I was. However, the position I'd somehow fallen in made it too hard for me to roll over, and I was too tired to push the bed. As a result of this, I ended up just laying there, lying uncomfortably on what turned out to be a pair of trainers (that gave me a huge bruise), head on some slippers staring at the wall for about 2 1/2 hours before Ben thankfully came back to my rescue. Technically speaking it turns out that I was dangerously dehydrated to a point where I should have been taken to hospital and put on a drip. Ah well, Lucozade is fine too.
Moral of the story? DRINK WATER!!
2nd Feb
Back to Physio, had another assessment, wants me to shave my knees so he can tape them up lol. Shave? Bah, I shall wax and see if all this fuss about pain is true.
29th Jan
Changed mind, very fickle I know, but eBay and gumtree are looking much more promising for a bargain. The bikes around, whilst second hand, are a much higher spec than I can afford brand new.
28th Jan
Ready to buy a bike, GT Series 4, £400, a lot brighter green thant the picture shows, but with some shoes thrown in so can't complain. Going in tomorrow, very excited : )
25th Jan
Still struggling along, no change in knees, a bit disappointed to be honest.
19th Jan
Insoles still feel weird, got 7 weeks till permanent ones are made, so got a bit of time to get used to them. After some great help at Evans Cycles I'malmost ready to buy a bike, possibly a Trek 1.1, or GT Series 4
25th Jan
Met with the podiatrist. Aparently I have unbelieveably over pronated feet (basically I'm flat footed). This explains why I run la bit like a duck - but at least I don't have to go to war lol. Adapted my insoles, feel really weird at the moment but I'm sure I'll get used to them.
22nd Jan
First 1.5 hour cycle, nearly colapsed afterwards though, think I'll stick to the 1 hours atm. Starting to research bikes : )
20th Jan
First appointment with physio Andy, nice guy, hoping for big things.
19th Jan
Done a couple of hour longs, seems to be getting easier, knees really hurt though.
14th Jan
My current physio being stumped, I've finally managed to book an appointment with an NHS physio and a podiatrist.
13th Jan
First hour long ride, knackered. Knees hurt a lot.
4th Jan
Two rides done, gone from 30-40 minutes. I guess its a start...
1st Jan 2011
Training starts today! Only at the gym though, still saving up for the actual bike.
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