Day 4 JOGLE Sept 8th Part 2 by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Day 3 JOGLE Sept 7th Part 2 by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

We woke up this morning to a damp, wet and cold Northumberland. It was a bit of a rush this morning due to the late night we had last night. 2 Panics started in that morning before setting off on the bike.

The first one was needing to dispose the contents of the wonderful food we had last night pretty quickly. The only problem here was that the farm was closed up so no toilets in sight! I remember bringing some toilet roll so headed to the most remote place I could find (even though I had cows watching me!) and did what I needed to do. First time I think I have ever had a dump in a field first thing in a morning and I found it quite liberating!

The second “Panic” was like every morning getting everything ready for the day ahead. I got into a good routine of getting everything ready for the next morning and this morning was the same. I got the bike all ready but was missing my Garmin Computer for the bike. I remembered seeing it on the floor of the tent that morning so was convinced it couldn't’t have gone far. With 5 minutes to go till departure I still couldn't’t find it. I asked Ben if he had seeing and he hadn’t and he hadn’t either. I set off that day feeling like I had been rushed and the signs that my Garmin had been lost where all to visible with the vacant space on the stem.

On the flip side I was so looking forward to this day. Before the JOGLE ride itself I looked forward to this day and the following days the most. I knew there would be a great feeling of doing this JOGLE through your home county of Yorkshire and familiar roads which would give me a good sense of time and mileage in how far we to travel, and I wasn’t wrong.

Northumberland and the Yorkshire Dales where our host for one of the toughest days we had climbing, (even more frustrating that we couldn't’t see this on the Garmin!). Our first stop off would be at a place near Wear dale, a wonderful little village with a fantastic coffee shop making homemade pies, cakes and coffee to fuel and warm us up. To this point we had navigated our way out of Northumberland and Barnard Castle, the A66 and to Wear Dale through some tough little climbs, but nothing that we would experience later on that day.

The stop at Wear Dale allowed me to rest my Achilles but also my right knee that was starting to become really tender. Going uphill be painful and I felt every movement. Downhill was great to stretch it but then trying to get back into a pedaling routine would be agony. On the flats I seemed to be able to get into a manageable routine but this was proving difficult with the vast hills in the distance that seemed to be ever ending as you can see by the pictures below.

The Yorkshire Dales and a very happy me to me the sign.

Our next stop off in 40 miles was a welcome pub lunch of homemade Steak and Ale Pie. I remember this 40 mile stretch really taking its toll on my body. My tendons where tightening, my right knee was getting worse and I was starting with a chesty cough and bringing up lots of mucus.

As soon as I got to the pub, James Dad was there and I think he could see I was in pain. He checked over my Achilles and right knee which I knew about when he touched them! I had it fully supported and felt I was managing it with the pain I had. My big concern was would this worsen? No one knew that. I kept it strapped up, put some ice over it during lunch and focused on the sign in the distance that said 19% hill which was visible from the pub I the distance.

Looking back, it’s amazing how “In Tune” you get with your body. You learn every little part about it, whats going feeling great and not so great. When your body needs fuel, when your ready to step it up, when you need energy,when you fluid. It really is a great feeling understanding and managing your body to get the most out of it in situations such as this where you are pushing harder than normal. I really did feel I was managing this side of it well.

I love this picture for a number of reasons. The satisfaction of me climbing the hill we have just climbed can be seen in my face. (You know its a tough hill when we stop at the top which didn't happen very often). The sweat on my Nike top shows how hard the body has been working. Ian next to me is still getting his breath back. Oh yeah, like the spikey hair? Helmet causes this look!

It felt like all down hill from here to Keighley. At the next stop I knew we where not far away from our stopover place at Keighley Golf Club. People knew i was familiar with this area so i led the way through the busy market town of Skipton and into the G.C.

Here we where met by the site of the 19Th hole and our base. There where two things that stood out when we completed today. The first one was that we where now 50% of the distance completed,a major step in the right direction and we all felt on a massive high, high fiving each other, hugs all around, it really was a great team spirit we where creating. The second one was the time we had arrived into camp. It was about 7:30pm which was great because we didn't feel in a massive rush and we managed a beer in the club house. We held a team talk over a beer and look at the day,what went well, what could have been done better and what we would do differently the next day.

The great people who made this trip happen in the first place, Tom, JB and

Our tents for the night above.

Day 4 completed, what will day 5 hold..............

Day 3 JOGLE Sept 7th Part 1 by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Day 3 JOGLE Sept 7th Part 1 by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

A cycle/ pattern was starting to appear in my emotions. Waking up in a morning, feeling apprehensive and concerned about how my body was and wondering if my body was going to hold up with the injuries i was starting to feel and whether or not i was compensating with other parts of my body and putting strain on them to not put as much pressure on the areas i was struggling with. Can you tell I was getting a bit apprehensive! Making it through the day was an awesome feeling. I love breaking things down into %'s versus time gone in the way of 4 x 30 mile stints (a work thing) and i loved doing this on the rides. The feeling of exhilaration lasted until went to bed usually. I would then lay bed and start that cycle of whether my body would hold up and what the next day would bring!

The start of day 3 (only 25% completed) would see us having completed 38% and on this morning I was probably the most apprehensive I was all JOGLE trip. It was still new, still unknown what each day lay ahead of his, the weather conditions that where so inconsistent, raining one minute going down hill freezing then climbing a 19% hill for 3 miles in glorious sunshine and sweating like mad made it really difficult to get your body temperature regulated and I was always concerned about being either too cold or too warm when stopping proved difficult. I learnt quickly it would be better to be too warm than to cold and would strip leg and arm warmers off to the wrist and ankle when too hot and pull them up when too cold.

My big concern this morning was my Achilles tendon. They where really tight and painful to walk on and the first 20 miles proved challenging in trying to manage the pain and making sure it didnt get worse. I found that by pushing the ball of my foot down and not extending my achillies fully helped managed the pain but I felt I was doing it all the time and when i didnt, ouch!

Here is the team before we started on day 3 outside the farmhouse where we stayed. Today would be a big milestone and provide everyone with a big confidence boost when we crossed the border of Scotland into England.

The weather was all over the place today and I think we experienced everything apart from snow. Rain, hailstone, thunder, flash flooding, bright sunshine and wind.

A big milestone happened later on in the day in the picture below were we crossed the border of Scotland into England. When I talk about been warm on the bike, I know its not the best of looks, What a geek i look!

In the background you will see the black clouds looming. I saw my life flash before my eyes and this could well have been the last picture taken of me!!!!!

We where at a very high point here with great views south over Ki elder Forest and back north over Scotland. We had a steep decent straight after this picture which went on for a couple of miles. Imagine torrential rain causing flooding on a 17% downhill. Then imagine cycling down it on a road bike at 35mph and getting a wobble on. Not wanting to take my hands off the brakes for fear of going out of control I gradually over a period of what seemed like a lifetime managed to bring the bike to a stop. I dont think I will ever experience anything like this again, the only problem was I was still only half way down the decent and the rain was getting worse!

We talk about changing weather from moment to the next, as soon as we hit the bottom of this hill the sun came out and I will have this lasting memory of cycling the beautiful long straight roads through the Ki elder Forest with the sun going down, cycling long straights with never ending roads, thats what cycling is all about.

It proved to be a late one tonight. We stopped at a pub around 8pm and a group of us said we stay behind for the mini bus to return. We didnt get sat down for food (which was worth the wait) till 10:30pm at High House Farm Brewery.

Beef and Ale pie provided by High House Farm Brewery in Northumberland. Tradititonal music from the region by local folk quintet The Unthanks. The Hungry Cyclist (travelling with the group) aka author Tom Kevill-Davies will make Singing Hinnies (sweet scones) with local ingredients.

The home for our bikes for the night below...

A very happy me once I had showered and sat down ready for the Beef and Ale Pie.

Everyone getting stuck into their food.

After the day we had we put the tents up at midnight in a field and hit the sack around 1am. The alarms where set for 5am for a prompt 6am start on day 4 of the JOGLE. Completion of this day would see us 50% of the way and would be a huge boost, especially cycling in Yorkshire......

Day 2 JOGLE Sept 6th by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Day 2 JOGLE Sept 6th by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

I love this picture Fonz took. It was taken at towards the end of the 2nd day when we all re grouped. You can see me talking to Ian and the pelleton in the distance following the way of the Alfonzo into camp....... Top Man!

Day 2 of the JOGLE would be up there with the toughest days we had on the trip. There would be a number of reasons for this including the cold weather, the mountainous terrain that route would take us, the 45mph head winds that stuck with us all day, the unfortunate scenario that myself and three others got split from the main group (we got given wrong directions) which involved us taking on 50% of the day as a group of 4 and finally the most significant was the start of the injuries my body was starting to feel. I would find myself fighting against these injuries over the remainder of the JOGLE and having a constant cloud over me questioning myself as to how bad would these injuries get, would I get any others, would they force me out of the ride and could I manage them for the rest of the trip to ensure I crossed the finish line?

Day 2 took us from Inverness to Perth. The route took use through the highlands of Scotland skirting past Avie more and some of the highest ski lift resorts in Scotland. I had a flashback from a couple of years ago when we came through Grantown on Spey. We arrived at a roundabout coming out of Grantown on Spey a few years ago when we travelled up for Grant and Amy's wedding. The Sat Nav said turn left and the sign said turn right. I went with the Sat Nav but unfortunately it was a road that bend after bend and 5 Min's before we arrived at the hotel Nyah was sick everywhere and I mean everywhere! We had been traveling for 10 hours and with 5 Min's to go she was sick! The next day was a hot one and it did nothing for the smell in the car or the journey back no matter how much I cleaned it.

This was taken of me heading towards the highlands of Scotland. You can see how Barron it is in the distance and this only increased as the day went on.

I took the wrong turning at this roundabout again and it took us on 6 mile detour. Myself, Mike, Rachel and Tom worked together as a team to try and claw back the pack but we didn't want to run our bodies into the ground for the sake of trying to catch them so we made the decision to ride at our own pace.

Tom is leading the way up this hill on his £65 bike he bought from car boot sale! This guy was awesome, his dad had Parkinson's of 8 years and in his mind no matter what was thrown at him on these 8 days he would not be defeated and kept going and going. It was only mechanical failure that put him out for a day but this guy deserved a medal for riding what he did on that bike. The front wheel was as buckled as a 50p piece, just class!

The below picture shows the how the temperature dropped so much that looks like I was climbing Everest rather than cycling in Scotland.

We climbed 10,500ft on this ride and experienced some serious hills. I was glad to have finished the stage and get a lift to Hilton Farm (our second nights accommodation) where we would be in for a treat. (No shower tonight though).

Day 2's evening was a barbecue hosted by Perth Slow Food at farmer Andrew Johnson’s House (Hilton Farm, Craigend) Highland Beef, Beef, Lamb, Chicken, Wild Boar, salads, organic bread, cakes from Blair Atholl, berries, salad dressings. The local Perth Council had been going for 100 years and in celebration of this they had been presented with a matured bottle of whiskey from a local distillery. This was brought by the local councilors and shared amongst us that evening which was pretty special as it blew our socks off and made Patrick slightly pissed as you can see below!

We hit the sack about midnight having filled our faces full of food and warm drinks. I remember laying in bed thinking about my achillies tendons and for the first time in a long time saying a little prayer hoping my achillies wouldnt get any worse and I would wake up in the morning feeling fresh and ready to go to take on the challenge of Day 3 of the JOGLE into England and Northumberland................

Day 1 JOGLE Sept 5th by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Cold, misty,windy and miserable was the best way to describe the weather when we awoke in JOG but the weather soon got better as we headed south.

Below is the 23 strong team that would take on the next 8 days. I had a strong feeling of apprehension, concern of my ability versus the other riders and really wanting everyone to work collectively as a team to ensure we did our best to get everyone to Lands End. There would be no prizes for finishing a day first, making a break away, riding solo or generally not working as a team. Working as a team would be critical in ensuring we had the best chance of everyone getting to Lands End.

Todays ride was awesome. My dad had told me this would be a coastal road and would be impressive on a good day, and it certainly was. The coast road stretched from Wick to Inverness and the calm blue sea was with us all day with the sun breaking out late morning. Me and Ben road alot of the morning together taking in the views, talking about what we where doing and what the next 7 days would hold.....

By Lunch time the sun was out beating down on us. Our halfway stop was at a beautiful place called Golspie at an old mill. We had fresh bread made that morning, locally sourced salmon, venison and the all important refuel of SIS for the afternoon ride in the saddle down to Inverness.

Me and Ben spent the majority of the afternoon riding together.

We had a long day in the saddle on our first day as you can see on the Garmin covering 146 miles. It didnt help taking a wrong turning that increased the ride by 6 miles but whats 6 miles when you have just done 140.

Arriving into camp on the first day was great (and was always a special feeling throughout the 8 days), one that came with a sense of accomplishment that one of the days had been completed with focus turning to refueling, showering, putting the tent up, getting the bike ready for the next day and one of the most important tasks, eating!

It was always great to see our resident hungry cyclist chef Tom preparing the teams meals for the evening. http://www.thehungrycyclist.com Tom has cycled America combining his love for food and cycling and has brought out a book recently on his travels. I will get round to reading it soon Tom.

Below was the camp site for our first nights stay just outside of Inverness. We arrived in camp just before sunset which left a quick turn around in getting everything ready.

Great first day of the JOGLE, Fantastic coastal route, 146 miles, local cuisine, met our fellow team mates and started building the relationships that would develop further over the coming 7 days. 7 days to go...........

Full Day 1 deatils below...

Day 1 JOGLE Sept 5th by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Saturday Sept 4th 2010 saw the journey start of making our way to John O Groats in Scotland to start the challenge of covering 1,000 miles over 8 days and covering the country down to Lands End for Parkinson's Disease. Little did I know that this would be the most challenging, emotional, painful, rewarding and satisfying physical achievement I have ever done that would combine making alot of money for charity and lighting a fire inside me that has given me the desire to want to achieve more in he way of future challenges.......

On Saturday 4th Sept me and Ben flew from Birmingham Airport to Inverness. We met Kevin who would become instrumental within the team dynamic in getting us from JOGLE. With 7 hours to spare before the coach was due to pick us up from the center of Inverness we looked at a train / hire car to JOG with avail due to availability. In hindsight this worked out for the best as it gave us the opportunity to sit outside Pizza Express, drink and eat and meet our fellow riders that came walking along with their big bike bags.

3pm soon came around and it was time to go and get the 3.5hr coach to JOG. Due to the back up vehicle breaking down on the M1 on the way up they where not due to arrive in JOG til 12am so we made a tactical decision to stop half way and get fish and chips. Ive never a fish and chip shop where you order a large fish and chips give you 2 large haddocks! The Fish and Chip shop was in a remote little village in the middle of nowhere yet we still managed to stumble into a hen night with a difference. A male gay couple that where getting married. The bloke was dressed in drag and he was out with just girl friends! Very bizarre and not something I think I will see again.

We arrived in to a very cold, wet Barron and very depressing JOG shortly after 8pm. Not the type of place you would go on holiday to and want to spend any time there. Very depressing so it was great to know we wouldn't end up here to have our celebrations although this was very presumptuous of me expecting to make the 8 days as I would soon find out......

We errected the tents, got our bikes out the carry cases and started to re build them from their travels. It was all a bit of a rush, the light was fading fast and we didnt have much time to spare. We hit the sack about 11pm and I remeber laying in bed excited with adrenalin but also nervous in what the next 8 days would hold, what would they throw at us and how would I react to it....

Thursday 26th August - 34.37 Ride by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Thursday 26th August - 34.37 Ride by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Sunday 22nd August - 50.06 Early Morning Ride by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Great Riding BG - Best part of the day at 06:30am when the sun was coming up.

Home by 09:15am with 50miles under our belt ready to start the day with the family.........

Sunday 22nd August - 50.06 Early Morning Ride by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Saturday 21st August - 54.97 Ride by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Saturday 21st August - 54.97 Ride by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Friday 20th August - 33.06 Ride by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Friday 20th August - 33.06 Ride by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Wednesday 18th August - 53.43 Ride by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Wednesday 18th August - 53.43 Ride by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Monday 16th August - 40.11Ride by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Monday 16th August - 40.11Ride by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Thurday 12th Aug - 53.54 Ride by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

With only a few weeks to go now until the big JOGLE of 2010, I have hit a critical part in the training.

3.5 weeks till we set off and with me spending the final week letting my muscles relax and repair themselves I have two weeks to really put in the mileage and have this as my biggest priority.

54 miles done this evening and felt good despite hectic day.

TARGET - 120 Miler at the weekend + 54 Miler + 34 Miler = 208 Miles for thr weekend.

Thurday 12th Aug - 53.54 Ride by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Tuesday 10th Aug - 34.43 Ride by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Tuesday 10th Aug - 34.43 Ride by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Thursday 5th Aug - 34.48 Ride by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Thursday 5th Aug - 34.48 Ride by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Tuesday 3rd Aug - 34.50 Ride by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Tuesday 3rd Aug - 34.50 Ride by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Sunday 1st August - 53 Mile Ride by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Its been a frustrating week of the bike and one I really wanted to achieve the target of 250 miles set to carry on the momentum from last week.

A swollen and painful right nut only allowed me to do rides this week!

Having spoken to Ben and also the doctors, this is extremely common amongst long distance cyclists. Caused primarily by just been on the bike for long periods of time and I guess it makes you slightly more prone to infection..... Cant believe I'm actually writing about my balls but again its another learning curve and if I am unfortunate to get it while on the JOGLE at least I know what to expect and to try and deal with it.

So only 2 rides this week. Tuesday was such a strong ride for me. I felt confident and the strongest I probably have ever done. The conditions where challenging with a swirling wind that hit me going west and didn't really get behind me when I was coming back south easterly, but I was still so focused and I enjoyed every minute of it.

34 Miles on Tuesday night and then a steady 53 miles today eased me back into the swing of things.

Whilst not riding I admit to having a couple of beers. Due to not drinking for such a long time I had 2 cans of Guinness on Wednesday night. This led to me feeling slightly light headed and ending up spending £200 online at Wiggle! Most of it in the sale but also got stocked up with energy and recovery supplements.

This is just going to be so critical for me on this challenge and I feel I am getting more efficient and structured at drinking and eating at the right intervals. I am understanding my body more and more, when I'm ahead of myself, when I struggling, when I have gone past it and when I am fully loaded ready to push hard.

Products using at the moment....

SIS Electrolyte Energy Drink. Consuming on average a minimum of 550ml every 1hour. Small intakes on a regular basis.

MULE Bars / Go Bars. Similar to drinking I am taking small bites every 10 (ish miles). I keep a real close eye on the calories burned and know when I am ahead of myself with calories stored and when I am pushing myself with burning alot of calories and not in taking. This allows me to stay on top of this area.

Recovery / Protein. Whey Protein from Holland and Barrett which I am taking a couple of times a day and after riding to ensure I recover as quickly as possible.

Now my right nut is back to normal I have another challenging week this week as I am going away on Thursday night to Northern Ireland for the Armoy Road Races and I am not back till Sunday Lunch time.

As a result of this I wont be able to do any 100+ rides due to time but the main focus will be riding 4 times this week, Mon, Tues, Wed & Sun aiming at doing 40 miles each ride.

The following week will be key as I want to try and get out and do three back to back 120 milers as time is closing in with only 5 weeks to go till the start of the JOGLE 2010.

Last 2 notes, my Dad has gone out and spent half his pension on his new Road Bike. Team Merida are now out and about in East Yorkshire clocking up the miles....... JOGLE 2011?

My father in law Dave on the other hand has restored an MTRAX bike from 20 years ago (replaced all the rusty parts) and started riding as well so great having you both out there riding.

Have a great week and Happy Safe Riding.....

Sunday 1st August - 53 Mile Ride by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Tuesday 27th July - 34 Ride by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Tuesday 27th July - 34 Ride by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Sunday 25th July - 34Mile Ride by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Attached finishes off a great week of riding coming back from a bad infection.

209.66 Miles
10 Hours 20 mins on the bike
6,105 Calories burnt
Max Speed - 50.4mph - Staxton Hill!
Average Speed - 16.95mph over the 4 rides

Objectives for this week are....

250 Miles
14 Hours on the bike
7,500 Calories
Max Speed - 52mph!
Average Speed - 17mph

and, continue with the fundraising work done so far (and the great work Nikki and my Mum have done)

£490 just under half way

Sunday 25th July - 34Mile Ride by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Saturday 24th July - 111Mile Ride by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Just returned from the longest ride I have done for a while (in fact I think I have ever done).

With six weeks to go I have had a really strong week on the bike and in total since last Saturday have completed 270 miles with the bike one today been 111miles.

I have been really consistent duruing the week and have been doing some intense hill work and high speed 40mile routes.

Todays 111 mile was really satisfying and again another learning curve.

I was loaded to with as much fuel as possible, 3 Mule Bars, wine gums, banana, nut bars and plenty of electrolyte fluids.

My concern is that towards the end of the ride I had a slight twinge in my left knee which sometimes I could ride off and other times it was slightly uncomfortable and I could feel myself putting more pressure on my right leg. I will give it an extra week of training and if it gets any worse I will get some physio on it.

Plan for the morning is to get out early doors and do a 40mile ride to round off a solid weekend on biking, 150miles....

Oh yeah, 50mph down Staxton Hill without pedaling has to be the highlight, check out the stats..........


Saturday 24th July - 111Mile Ride by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Bike Ride Tuesday 24th July Garmin Connect -

Ride details for some hill training undertaken on the 24th July

Untitled by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Ride Thursday 26th July Garmin Connect Details

Just testing the new purchase of the GPS computer from the ride out with Ben on Thursday 26th July.

Untitled by paul0010 at Garmin Connect - Details

Cant wait to download load tomorrows ride, 120miler planned..........

Highs and Lows ......

I first of all want to say a massive thank you to everyone's well wishes and sponsorship for the up and coming ride. Its been incredible and has given me a real sense of support and motivation for what lays ahead.

I wite this blog with the title of Highs and Lows. The last two weeks has seen me suffer from a nasty viral infection that left me with ulcerated blisters in my mouth leaving me to only have liquids and struggle to even swallow. The last week I really was in agony and had to go to hosiptal to increase the medication in order to clear it. The medication has nearly run its course and already I feel back to my normal self. In the run up to catching this I had a really strong week on the bike, several 35milers during the week and one big 95mile ride to Bridlington and back. Work had ben extremelly busy and I am thinking I might have been burning the candle too much at both ends.......

Nevertheless, this has to go as a positve. Why? It has to be a learning curve for whats to come. I cant carry on as I have been giving 110% to work, family and trying to do this on the bike and training. You cant do everything can you and it has stretched me too far this time.............

Having this viral infection has allowed me re assess and re focus on whats important over the short time and what I need to do to achieve this goal of riding the JOGLE in 2010.

JOGLE 2010 now has to become my priority and I have to put this first. Im not moving out and going into a retreat for the next 7 weeks in prep for the ride but I have to do is get my head in focus to understand the folowing...........

• Use my time management more efficiently.

I need to have a cut off piont with work otherwise I will and do at times work from 7am till 9pm. Its the nature of the job, having my pc and there always been things to do can lead to working not effeciently and "wasting time on the pc". I dont have that luxury over the next 7 weeks if I want to complete this challenge. I need to work smarter and stick to it.

Target - Start work @ 8am and finish @ 5pm. No work on an evening fullstop.

Spend that quailty time with the kids till they go down to sleep then out on the bike.

This will prove challenging as I have been promoted at work to another Sales Manager role. I have slight knowledge of the chanel and role so hopefully work load shouldnt increase too much.

• Consistency

Critical is consistency on the bike and ensuring I never leave it any longer than 2 days for been out on the bike. I need as much time on the saddle as possible to get used to the longer rides.

Target - x3 35 mile rides during the week with one big ride at the weekend - 90+

In additon to this I will be looking at taking a half day holiday in the coming weeks on a Friday. I will get out for 8 hours and aim to do 120miles. The Saturday and Sunday I will aim to do the same so I get 3 back to back long rides (37.5% of what I will do on the JOGLE). I think this will give me a real indication of how the training is going and my level of fitness in the run up to the event.

I plan to do this in 3 weeks time (Friday 13th August).

• Diet
  

For me this area is critcal. I need to support the training I am doing and the calories I am burning but also I need to build my strength and stamina back to where it was and to another few levels. I have devised a diet plan which is so far going well and involves alot planning and preparing. I need to buy some more suplements for the before, during and after rides to ensure I ride to the best of my ability but recover as quickly as possibly ready for the next session.

I want to end this short blog with how I started it and thats by thanking everyon who has sent text messages of support, made donations on the justgiving site and given their words of encouragement on there. This is isnt a challenge I am taking likely and if I am totally honest I am in the very back of my mind wondering how I am going to it! Its an ambition of mine and I know I will do it, I have a plan to work towards to get me in the best shape possible, I am going to restructure the way I work and use this time to make it more beneficial for me and one of the key reasons is the Parkinsons Charity research which I am committed to doing everything possible to achieve the £1k goal........

Date for your diaries - Saturday 18th Sept 2010 - May Towers - Party & Auction to drive that fundraising....

Finally, I have put below the list of sponsors from the justgiving site. Only a couple of weeks old and already a healthy £390. Thanks again everyone, this really feels like something special and something I know I will look back on in years to come and think, "What was I thinking!"

Sunday 18th July......

Target: £1,000.00

Raised so far: £390.00

Hi Paul, what a great thing you are doing, good luck from the Tarrier's, we know you can do it. xx Donation by Pam Tarrier on 17/07/10
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

my friend did the lejog earlier this year but over 16 days- she was knackered!good luck and hope you enjoy, Donation by sally holmes on 17/07/10
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

A real challenge to take on, we wish you every success and you have the full support of the WELTONS Donation by Michael Welton on 17/07/10
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Hi Paul, all the best for the ride. We'll be supporting you all the way. Good luck. Nat and Dash x Donation by Darshan Inman on 16/07/10
£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid

Good luck mate! Sounds like it will be a great challenge! Keep the Vaseline handy! Gareth Donation by Gareth Ropke on 15/07/10
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

GO DADDY! We know you can do it because your the best daddy in the world. We love you so much xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Donation by Nyah & Ciara - Daddys Girls May on 15/07/10
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good Luck darling I am so proud of you and know how much this means. Ride baby ride!!!!!xxxx Donation by Nikki May on 15/07/10
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Go Paul! Go Paul! You can do it....Be thinking about you on the 5th September. Good luck. XXXX Donation by Val Jeffery on 13/07/10
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Grandad's are so precious Paul - so it's such a good cause. Rooting and hooting for yer! Good luck mate. Top supportive wife Nikki! Donation by David Jeffery on 13/07/10
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All the best Paul, a good cause and will be thinking of you. Take Care x Donation by Jane McCarthy on 13/07/10
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We've come along way since jogging around Kirkella with a rugby ball and ankle weights!. Enjoy the experience buddy. With you every step of the way. Donation by Ben Thurlow on 12/07/10
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Good luck Paul mate. Hope you get as much as you can and sort of enjoy the whole thing!!! Donation by James Chapman on 12/07/10
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Good luck Paul, I am sure you will do great! Donation by Sarah Curtis on 09/07/10
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Good Luck mate. As the current North region 200 metre time trial champion you should complete this in no time. Donation by Lee Evans on 08/07/10
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Enjoy this is a once in a lifetime challenge and not an easy one ! Donation by Leigh Hems on 08/07/10
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Hi Paul, Great Idea for training! Cycle to North East each day to do accomps, will help with the CRS agenda and get you fit & ready. Good Luck, Paul. Donation by Paul Jacobs on 07/07/10
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Good Luck Bro, don't get too saddle soar! xx Donation by Sarah May on 07/07/10
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All the best Paul and good luck. Donation by David Harker on 06/07/10
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All the very Best Paul Grandma & Grandad XX Donation by Chris May on 06/07/10
£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid Donate now

Lots to update..........

1/ All signed up for the JOGLE 2010 is awesome. Out of any challenges I have done I think this is going to be the biggest. 1,000miles over 8 days completing 120miles a day. Seriously tough challenge but a realistic one and with the charity for Parkinson's research makes this an extra motivation for my Granddad. Training for the ride is going ok. Id like toget out more but work is manic and Im not feeling 10% at the moment, probably because work is so manic. Ben was up at the weekend so I set the alarm for 4:30am and we set off from Elloughton to Bridlington and back covering 90miles in 5 hours. We both felt really good after the ride and it gave us alot of confidence completing nearly a tonne.

Training really needs to pick up now with more consistent riding during the week nights with one big ride on a weekend. Im suffering at the moment with a bit of a sore throat and feeling hot and cold which isnt making me want to get out on the bike. As soon as I feel I am out the other side of feeling like this then I will be out on the bike.

While I am like this and Im hoping it will only last another day or so I am going to aim to nail down a training plan for the remainder of the time before the challenge. This will enable me to work towards sustainably getting fitter day by day. I want to be able to complete this challenge in one piece and as comfortably as possible, not just scrapping through as then there becomes a point of potentially not completing. I dont want to look back on the training and think, I wish I had done....... there are no excuses, its down to me.

Im just watching the Tou of France and its the 3rd stage along the cobbles section. Its awesome! There have been so many accidents since the start of the tour that it really has thrown things open.

http://www.justgiving.com/PaulMay1

I have set up the "just giving" in order to achieve the £1k target for Parkinsons.

The 1000 mile cycle from John O' Groats to Land's End (JOGLE)....... the classic cycling trip.....this time with a difference!
On september 5th 2010, I will be joining 99 other riders on an extraordinary and unique team ride to cycle the length of Britain in just 8 days. This will mean each of the 100 strong team riders averaging 120miles per day in the saddle!
Our collective aim is to each raise a minimum of £1000 pounds towards groundbreaking research into Parksinson's disease. 100 riders = £100,000. At the start of the year my Granddad was diagnosed with the start of Parkinsons so this is a challenege in not only completing the JOGLE 2010 but raising the money to see this goes into supporting the disease.
Of course this would not be possible without the imagination and ongoing hard work of James Bowthorpe, our team leader and a true cycling hero having recently smashed the guiness world record by circumnavigating the globe on a bike in just 176 days in aid of Parkinson's disease research!
This challenge would not be able to happen without the Love and Support from my wife Nikki (Letting me go for 8 days!) who is putting up with me talking bikes, training, diet and living with me eating, breathing and looking forward to this JOGLE 2010.
Wish me luck....I'm gonna need it
Best wishes and thanks again for your support
Paul

Night away in Leeds

Aside from cycling, me and Nikki had a great night away in Leeds staying at the Mal. The girls stayed at my Mum and Dads and it was great just to walk around Leeds, drink coffee and catch up as daft as that sounds. Life is so hectic sometimes that you can forgt each other but having the night away is the opportunity to spend that quality time together and as usual get so excited in the run up to it but after a couple of hours miss the girls like mad!

Defining Moments.........

Wednesday 23rd June 2010 at 13:40pm my phone rings. I am sat in the garden working. I have this feeling that its Ben calling as I cant tell because my phone is upside down. I pick up the phone and see on the facia, BT. I leave it ringing for about 10 seconds wondering what he was going to say, whether he had news from the email he sent. I answered the call and said, "Have you got on news?" A reply on the other line said, "Are you ready for this!"

It was the reply I couldnt have expected in such a short space of time, "Ive had an email from him, we are onboard." I couldnt believe it. Since completing stage 5 of the Tour of Britain and even previously to that we have talked about completing the JOGLE. Having very busy careers and small families is a challenge in itself but we both have a passion for keeping fit and in particular cycling. Our aim has been to always set our sights high when aiming to do the JOGLE with the aim of completing in 8 to 10 days. Logistcally this can prove to be more difficult than actually doing the race, support cars, medical staff, where to stay, what to eat, when to eat, just a number of things to consider when taking on one of the biggest challenges you will ever do.

It all started with Ben seeing an advert in a cycling magazine that Anoushka had bought him (how she will live to regret that purchase!) so Ben sent the below email...........

Hi James,

The JOGLE 2010 sounds truely epic. I saw your advert in the cycling
magazine last night..

I write to you really in the hope that you still have places left
for the 100 rider JOGLE ??

Myself and my best buddy (Paul ) are both 30, hard working with young
families but remain keen and dedicated road cyclists . We were in fact
making plans for our own JOGLE in 9 days set for late september this
year.

Our motivation was really born out of our riding last year when we
completed a number of century rides including the Stage 5 Tour of
Britain stage in Stoke on Trent for the Prostate Cancer Charity

I work as a full time doctor and have just completed my training as a
General Practioner down in the West Midlands. I previously worked in a
Neurology unit and had quite a lot of experience with Parkinson's
disease during that job . I think it's a great cause and I'd be well
up for raising some serious cash for the charity. Paul is a highly
motivated regional Manager for Coca Cola Ltd in the North of England
lots of Powerade drinks to support our rides!!!!

Anyway, that's us. Please let me know if you are still looking for a
couple of guys to join the ride. We are would love to be part of it
and bring our own experience and skills along for the team.

Look forward to hearing from you
Regards
Ben

benthurlow@doctors.org.uk

18 hours later, Ben recieved this reply............

Hi Ben, Hi Paul.
Great to have you on board! Please find attached the info document as it stands - it really is being added to every day, but I can't keep up with it.
Congrats on completing your GP training - my dad is a semi-retired GP who will be joining us as medical officer... And Paul, that's awesome, powerade got me across a lot of the US last year. We are looking for a drinks sponsor (trying highland spring at the mo but would be well up for powerade!)...
Anyhow, have a good look at the attached and get back to me with your registration if you are still into it.
Best,
James

So from actually thinking, ill send an email and see what happens, 18 hours later and we are pretty much part of the epic JOGLE ride that will be in the Guiness Book of World Records.

Sp the planning starts here, less than 70 days to go and some serious training is going to have to take place in order to complete the 8 day challenge of 120 miles per day. A massive challenge but one that can and will be achieved through hard work, focus, grit, determination and the most importantly the will to want to do it.

What makes this even more important is that my Grandad got diagnosed at the start of the year with Parkinsons (early stages) but the main charity for the event is Parkinsons disease so this is extremelly close to my heart and something I will pursue in ensuring that £1000k fund is met through the sponsorship and achieving this challenge.

This event is still work in progress, as is the website, but below will give you a good insight into the journey thats about to take place.....

http://www.jogle2010.org/

Heres to the next 11 memorable weeks BT, and probably the 11 weeks after when we will be recovering...............

Quality time in the sun

After what felt like a lifetime of cold wintery weather, summer feels like it has finally arrived. Its become alot warmer, the nights are lighter and as a result we have been getting more enjoying the warner weather with the girls with walks along the canal and just playing out in the garden.

Its been a busy couple of weeks so i guess there is no change there. What has been different is that me and Nikki managed to get away for the night to the Mal in Leeds for some quality time together. I dropped the girls off at my mum and dads on the saturday morning then back to pick Nikki up where we then headed into Leeds. The weather was fantastic with not a cloud in the sky so we made the most of it by not doing much shopping but sitting outside our favourite restaurant in Chaoipraya eating Thai food and drinking bacardi and cokes. We then visited a new bar Nikki had been told about called the roof top bar. It was in the Granary Wharf part of Leeds and was located on the 14th floor. It had floor to ceiling glass windows and had a balcaony to sit out in the sun overlooking Leeds whilst drinking a chilled beer.

We dined on the evening in the Mal restaurant. Me and Nikki ordered the Sirlion Steak (House special) which was just to die for. I have never paid that much for a main meal and had had meat like it! It just melted in your mouth, just awesome!

Thanks to Grant (again) for spoiling us as usual by looking after us with a mega room and a bottle champagne as well. Top man, really appreciate it.

The weekend after saw us arrange a Thai night with friends. What a laugh we had. I suggested fancy dress so i came as a back packer (wow my back was aching by the end of the night!) Nikki as a Thai lady, Tiny came as a lady boy and played the part well and Max came as a Thai lady. Katrina and Andrew came as British tourists!

Nikki was an absolute star. Although a bit stressful in the run up to the guests arriving in trying to get everything ready the food tasted absolutely fantastic. She had spent time making it all fresh and from scratch and did a cracking job.

Training has been going ok. Not fantastic but not desperate. Ive been averaging around 2 session a week and trying to get out on my bike as much possible.

On Saturday once we had put the girls down for a nap I jumped on the bike in the garden and did 20 miles in the gorgeous sun on Bens bike trainer which is the first time I have used it this year.

Ben, If you need it back, just shout. While the girls are having nap i think i will try and use it more frequently now the better weather is here.

Well, alot ot look forward to over the coming weeks, a trip to the http://www.manchestervelodrome.com/index.htm with BT which should be interesting!

A long bank holiday weekend which will be great for hopefully clocking up some miles but also spending time with Nikki and the girls.

And finally, Nikki went down to the Birmingham NEC for the annual Holistic and Beauty conference. She came back so inspired and motivated and has invested in a new retail product range called www.sparitual.co.uk

I am currently in the process of updating the website to include the retail side of selling the new products which even i have to admit do look impress. Bring on the Spa, one day my sexy wife.......

Nyahs 3rd Birthday

This week has been an action packed week full of celebrations, starting off firstly celebrating Nyahs 3rd Birthday. Nyah had been spoilt once again for her special day by me and Nikki but also both sets of grandparents in a laptop, trampoline, wendy house and lots of other toys which would take me to long to go through.

We celebrated Nyahs birthday by having a party. My Mum and Dad came over early on the morning to see the girls and bring the presents over and spent the majority of the day at ours which was great. They helped get everything ready for the party with us along with keeping the girls entertained as they where both extremelly excited. Nyahs friends included Seth, Ellie, Molly and Sam, Connor, Evie, Charlie, Anna, and Lenny. Luckily the weather was great and everyone was able to play outside. Alan who lives around the corner who walks past our house everyday with his dog and brings him to the window for the girls to see had come round to do some video footage which was great. What we didnt expect was him to come round an hour after he had left to bring a copy of the dvd round. It was brilliant and will be a great memory for the girls in years to come.

Monday saw Ben, Anoushka and our gorgeous little god daughter come over for the day. Me and Ben in typical fashion just talked bikes and training all day and ended up going out on a ride for just over an hour clocking up 24 miles at a really good pace. We then headed to the local where we had the had probably the biggest carvery I have ever had. The plates where huge and as normal I filled my plate to the top. It was great to catch up with them and see how much Angelina has grown. I must say this everytime I write a blog after they have been but we just dont seem to see each other enough with work and one thing another. Heres to catching up more this year and putting something down on paper for this lands end to john o groats ride we keep talking about..........

In total this week I have clocked up 85 miles which I am really pleased with across three rides. One ride over to Hull (30miles), One ride with Ben (25 miles) then one early 7am start on Saturday morning (30 miles). As each ride has gone on I have felt stronger and stronger in my legs. CV really dont see to be a problem and the extra hours spent in the gym this year really seems to have paid off. My only concern is a slight twinge in my left knee which keeps re occuring. plan is to sit tight and see how it goes and if dosent go away then look at getting some physio on it.

Well a busy week ahead, 2 nights away, team training in Northampton, new starters, inductions, Meeting at Xscape and then a trip to Thirsk races on Friday to end the week.

Me and Nikki really cant wait till Saturday as my mum and dad are looking after the girls and we areheading over to Leeds for Saturday night to stay at the Mal. Wwe will probably both just sleep non stop as we are so ready for the break.

This update next week will have seen a big milestone achieved and should see me getting back to a bit more normality at work, if there ever was such a thing......................

'Citius, Altius, Fortius'

DARE TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE

You have the power to make your life better.

LIVESTRONG DARES help you take charge and make a commitment to improve your lifestyle. Take a dare or give a dare today...........

Need some motivation? Then check out

http://www.livestrong.com/dares/

This is what its all about isnt it? Making changes to your life from what your doing and have come accustomed to and making it better and more fulfilled? After all we are creatures of habbit and love routine but I guess thats the difficulty in been in that routine, coming out of it and doing something different for the better. Sometimes it might be a case of not wanting to change, other times it might be not knowing how to or not knowing of any other change from what we are doing.

Why am I talking about is on a Monday Bank Holiday Easter Weekend? Well its simple, I think I have dared to change so far in 2010 (sound cornie enough!). Here is how.........

1/ Reading - Over the years I have seen reading as a good way of chilling out. The only problem is I havent felt like Ive had that time to read and chill out. I can count on one hand how many books i have read in the last 5 years. I seem to loose interest very quickly and thats probably because I have been reading the wrong books or not had enough time to finish them. 2010 has been different. Race to North Pole has seen me hooked, motivated, inspired and not like me not wanting to put the book down. I can relate to the book, it focuses on the future constantly with setting goals and working towards a specific objective. The book is about doing something that only ahandful of people of done, some that cant be done by everyone and really pushes the boundaries of team work and mental toughness to the limits.

This is something I have changed and will keep the momentum with.

2/ It Biking weather - Over The bank holiday weekend I have clocked up 55 miles. Might not sound alot but with 2 days training at the gym in the same week this is a million miles further ahead from I was this time last year. No road bike and no miles done and couldnt really go out in the gym due to the freezing temperatures. Ben came over today and we went out for just over an hour and did 25 miles. It was great to get back on the road with him and have a good catch up and look at what chalenges we where going to do in 2010.

Coast to Coast non stop looks like the favourite so far. We both really want to do Lands End to J O G but its a time thing. Is that a barrier we put in the way? Having Kids? Not really excuses as these will face us for the rest of our life. Maybe this year is a year for building on last year and 2010 might be a bit to soon for the Thurlow & May Duo?

This is something I have got the momentum with now and will be focusing on keeping it up

3/Momentum at Gym - This year has been like no other gym wise. In the first quarter of 2009 I was plagued with sickness bugs and just couldnt seem to shake them off. Going into 2010 I was concious of this and have made a real effort at the gym training on average 3 times a week at my peak but still going on my busier weeks maybe once or twice. I feel more physically and mentally stronger than I have done in a long time. Instead of just training my upper body Im giving a real focus to my overall body in particular my core, legs and cardio. The gym has also really helped me out on the bike and I fee alot stronger in my legs.

I have done a significant amount more this year than last and its creating a great foundation for my training as a whole in 2010

4/ Work Life Balance - What I am most happiest about is the fact that I have had the busiest start to the year to my work with CCE since i joined but I have really tried to not work late in an evening, every evening which has historically been the case. I like to be on top of things and action things as soon as possible (which can sometimes be a contrast to outside of work which I am aware of!) I guess i am using more hours in the day that I didnt previously.

Finally, from a work quote, "Embrace and Drive Change." Change is a common happening in our world, sometimes it comes when we expect it, sometimes when we dont, we can be happy when it happens and not so happy as well. Ultimately change happens for a reason. If you stand still, you will get over taken or not move any further forward. Everyones different, but in the pursuit of having a life full of ambitions that are fulfilled is all about embracing that change in taking ownership of driving new challenges in your life.

What will you dare to change in your life today or this week?

Make it now for the better..........

Re: Not enough hours in the day

Every morning you are handed 24 golden hours. They are one of the few things in this world that you get free of charge. If you had all the money in the world, you couldn't buy an extra hour. What will you do with this priceless treasure?

3 months since i last updated my blog and trying not to sound to cornie but I really have been trying to make the most of the hours I have available during a day / week so far this year and I feel emotionally and physically much stronger because of it.

I should first of all state that I am not happy in the fact that the last update was over 3months ago when I had built up some great momentum in doing my blog. My main objective ongoing is to write a "small update" at the end of every week to deliver a short update on happenings and events.

Nevertheless the main reason for no updates (if there is to be an excuse!) is that this year has been the businest start to a year I have had to far with CCE. We have a new GTM process and I know when I reflect on these first three months (and this year) in years to come I will look back with great memories of overcoming big challenges to deliver. Implementing and been part of 6 Assessment Centers in 2 weeks, Devising and running training days, Recruitment Day at Newcastle University, Formal one to ones with team about future jobs, 4 new starters and the end of the road for another.

All in all reflecting so far this has eaten into alot of my time on an evening in order to get where I / we are today.

On the flip of work at the start of the year I was concious of the minor health problems I had at the start of the previous year with cold, sickness and general unwell feeling which lasted well into the first quarter of the year. Just after new year I joined DW Sports and its one of the best things I have done far this year. Time has been really tight but i have been managing to visit the gym at least three time a week. I have been training at 6:30am in a morning and at 8pm at night to ensure I get the sessions in. I really feel like I have some momentum with the training now and feel the best I have done in a long time, coupled with that I havent repeated any of the sickness bugs I had last year which is great.

One of the best days this year saw the family celebrate my grandma and grandads 60th Wedding Anniversary. What a special day. My Grandma hasnt been in the best of health recent, infact far from it and with my Grandad getting diagnosed with the start of Parkinsons didnt really make things feel any better. The day was just great though, my Grandma and Grandad where on brilliant form and spending it my mum and dads who had put on another great day made it feel really special.

It must be some feeling, first of all been married for 60years and secondly seeing the 4th generation of the family been born into the world........ truly amazing.

Happy Anniversary Grandma and Grandad.XX

The Decade in Review....................2007

The year started off as a very busy one. We lived in a 3 bedroom house but with the new arrival coming very soon we decided to get the loft converted which was a great thing to do. It allowed us much more space than we could have ever imagined and essentially made it into a 4 bedroomed house which was spot on for having guests but also having my office up there with PC etc. The worked start with Keith in the early January and the turnaround was alot quicker than we thought in just 5 weeks, all completed.

Unfortunately that wasnt it for the decorating although i wish it had been after all the glossing!

We had to prepare the new arrivals room. We decided not to find out what sex so did the decorating in quite neutral colours. Daddy to be below with more paint on his arms than on the walls!

Mummy with only 8 weeks or so to go painting the new room.......

Wetting the babies head is a must and we decided to do it before little legs was born and on St Patricks Day. What a blast we had at the local drinking Guiness and seeing how many badges we could fit onto our bodies.......

Two days before little legs was born we went to Monk Fryston with my Grandma and Grandad to celebrate their 57th Wedding Anniversary. We had a bit of lunch and a lovely walk around the grounds as usual............

Then 2 days later.................

Nyah Nicola May

born on the 8th April 2007

The picture was taken seconds after Nyah was born. Nikki was fantastic, not just through the labour but all the way through her been pregnant. Nikkis labour lastest around 42hours with the contractions gradually getting worse and worse. Having seen Nikki go through that pain was pretty hard. My respect for women who have had kids is just endless.

August 2007 also saw my best buddy Ben get married with me been best man. They tied the knot down at Warrick and it was one of the hottest days of the day and certainly a day to remember.

IOM 2007, Our 5th year at the IOM TT.