Dr Who?

I went both times in the winter, got engaged to now mrs dr who in 2003 out there. I thought it is better in the winter, it was more romantic as it was cold and snowing. Also you do not have to queue up for all the attractions. I think in the summer it will be far to hot and full of tourists and packed. Found it much easier getting around walking in the winter, but of course this suited me.

The best city that I have had the privilege of visiting twice. I want to go back there in the next few years. I would say go, but you need at least a week.

Oh and I used the chewing gum, and it seemed to work for me. Took about 3 years to lose the urge for a cigarette completely. The urge at first is with the routine, but later on they just come out of the blue with no connection to routine. I am glad I gave up, and do not miss them at all now.

I set a date about a month in advance, this date was after my honeymoon had finished. I gave up and a month later my dad died at the age of 62. He smoked about 50 a day and had smoked since 14. He was very over weight, and I was 16.9 at the time as well as smoking about 20 a day. I think at this point I could have started again and used the excuse that my dad had died of a heart attack, but I went the other way and it made me more determined to give up, and to lose weight as well. This was 7 years ago on July 18th. I did lose 4 stone as well, but I am back at 15.2 at the moment. I tried to give up for years on Health grounds, but never really wanted to, and I think this is the main point, you need to really want to give up. I was 30 and smoking, as well as over eating, and also had a young daughter who I wanted to give the best chance possible of me seeing my daughter (now daughters and son) grown up, and so they had a father for as long as possible.

Nice bit of business, welcome Jay.

Do be fair I have said the same thing in the past and 4 times out of 5 I will get round/have the money to sponsor, but sometimes I just do not have the money. I am after advice, and hopefully to build up a network of Saints fans that have an interest in cycling, more than expecting people to sponsor me. Don't get me wrong if they do put their hands in their pockets, that would be fantastic. Let's hope in the future we will have a group of Saints fans who have a just giving page as a group rather than individuals.

Here is our blog. http://simcycling.blogspot.co.uk/ Thanks for reading.

Anyone think it is worth getting a cycling top? Is there any real benefit from this compared to a Saints shirt for example. I am not going to buy cycling shoes, sticking to my AstroTurf trainers as they have great grip on the peddles.

Just completed a nice Sunday morning 20 mile ride which covered 3 counties. Was happy that it was completed in less than 2 hours, which put us in the 10-12mph rather than the 8-10mph than we were before. At the half way point we were at 11.5mph, but had to tackle 4 quite meaty hills and a chain getting stuck. Have the gel cycling shorts and seat cover, and the cycling gloves, and all carried out with Saints shorts and the 125 year saints sash shirt. Which in a strange way seems to drive me on, soi do not think I will be getting a proper cycling top. Things I learnt today today. Wear sun glasses, as you get hit by insects quite often, and also to cycle with your mouth closed. Onwards and upwards, and I feel good.

I have to say we would struggle!

3 gears and a bone shaker! That sounds nuts. I plan to take my time and steer clear of the back of other bikes. I am intrigued by you unusual circumstances? Did you have super powers? Even if I do not make it, I will at least have seen Saints for a month in the premier league. Thanks for the kind words.

Oh ok, strange. Yes I was training for the London marathon 2 years ago and broke down with knee problems, so fingers crossed this time. Enjoy cycling more and look forward to doing more in the future, and hopefully with people on here. Fancy it?

That is a good shout, might look into some cycle rides in the area. Of course we will have to drive down to Southampton, but can dump the 3 kids off with my sister.

How do you know they did not. Now that is some run. If I had seen it I would have sponsored him.

I just think it would be really good to all meet for a cycle for charity. Ok we all live in different parts of the country, but we could all meet for the big day, or some could meet would live near each other for training. Would be a great network of cyclists and Saints fans. On the day or week or whatever we choose to do we could have a few beers at the end and talk......well Saints.

Cheers Minty, as I have said many times before, will take as much advice on board as possible! You also reminded me to get my seat height adjusted as it is to low. But never thought this would be a problem, but of course it will change my riding style and the whole shape of the body and muscles I use. Will start to take on energy foods small and often now, as before was just taking them when I feel a little tired, which at the moment is about 12 mile mark. With regards to the next points I do that at the moment. If a hill comes up I tend to get a good rhythm and stick to it, and do not look up the hill but more down at the road. Seems to work. Me and my wife want to do this as much as possible together, but did discuss earlier today that if we are on a hill then I will go on and then slow so she can catch up. I do not think I will stop completely though. I think the main thing is that we do it together most of the way, but as we said, it will be nice to go over the finish line together. Cheers again, and I am really happy with the kind words of advice and support on here. Kev & Liz

At least they did not change it to a white kit!! Bad move imo.

What has he done?

Yes the riding in groups is something I have not come across as yet, and we have a group ride coming up in a couple of weeks and another one in July. So not sure what to expect really. I know it gets annoying when I am stuck behind the missus in training, because you build up a momentum, and you do not want to be braking on a hill!! Sure we will be fine. We have only been out on 2 longish rides, 12 and 14 miles, and have a 20 mile one on Sunday. The rest of the week Tuesday, Thursday, Friday I am on the exercise bike for 30-45 minutes, but it does get a little borning doing that. I also referee once a week, and walk 45 minutes a day Monday to Firday for work. So have the fitness going up, just need to stay fit. Seems like there are a few cyclists, perhaps we could get a few of us together to do a ride for our own charities at some point. Maybe get a page set up in general sport? Only thing I am going to do for charity at the moment, as love cycling and have the bug. We have plenty of Suder cream in the house as we have a 5 month old ;-) Thanks again for the input and reading this page.

Hey Junction 9, yes I have heard there are a few of these over the course of the year, and I had heard there ws one in June. I get contacted by my charity for events, and this came up, so not sure of the others out there. All I know so far is - Start in South London and cycle through Mitcham, Carshalton, Banstead, Haywards Heath and end in Brighton; this totals an amazing 54 miles in one day. I will get more information closer to the time from the charity.

Norm, thank you for your kind words, and thank you for the donation. I hope to reach both my goals......and hope the weather is better than today!

Thanks for your input. I am trying to get the balance, as I know a lot of it is in the head. People that do these things, say they they take yoga to get the head straight, and it is a case of positive thinking. Also you need a little fitness. I am not scared of doing it, and if anything think I will, but having never done this before there is the unknown. Thanks again, loads of energy drinks will be taken along with the tablets you can get.

Have been under the Premier league heading for a couple of weeks now, when they run through what is happening at the bottom of the screen.

Want the Lambo one, and thinking about the Mr Men one, but all my money seems to be going on bike equiptment ATM. I can feel a Robert Green one coming on, and a Messi one.... Mr Messi?

I have been saying that Baines should be in the England team for ages, the best English left back in the Premier league IMO. Just does not get noticed as much as he is at an unfashionable club.