Dr Who?

I think the differnce for this first time is that the last time I rode a bike was about 6 years ago and that was only to the station 5 minutes away. Before that it was 1997! I have no idea what shape you are in? I was 15 stone 12 two and half weeks ago, now bang on 15 stone aiming for 13 stone. I think it is just as much about having a goal, get in shape and lose weight, build up fitness, and do something good for charity. Also will nearly be 38 on the day of the ride. This will also lead on to much longer rides, France, Belgium, Holland, and the London to Paris. I have not ruled out the Marathon, if only I could find a way of enjoying it. the one thing I do not want to do is not enough preperation, and I am only follwing the taining guide sent out to us. Will not be eating to much on the day more energy snacks. You are right, I do think it will be rather straight forward, but do not want to leave anything to chance and if in better shape all the better! I have never done anything like this before and as you say it is important that you enjoy it. I can already feel the difference in my fitness and I feel good. Thanks for the input, and maybe after doing it once then I will return for all the grub on the way.

This!

Just had my tenn cycling jersey delivered and I was so surprised how light it was! You can tell it is going to make a difference. Hoping to have my sunglasses by the weekend. All kitted out for the next 13 weeks!

It is nice to watch England in a tournament and not have any expectations at all.

Ha ha ha, me as well.

Should have scored.

Pitch is cutting up a bit.

I smell a goal coming.

Started ok, but the French are looking good now. Settling well.

I will look into the cycling shoes after this event, if we complete it with success. I am finiding that the saddle does make a difference, I have a gel seat and shorts, and they are working really well, and I was finding this the most pain during cycling. Found I was using more energy standing up and shifting around in the seat. Just purchased some cycling glasses, picked them up for a tenner, reduced from £47. Still looking into all the food on the day, I think like you say mixing bars with other food. Will set off after weetabix, and maybe have some pasta in a small bowl for a bit later on and a lighter lunch. Really looking forward to it, and the training is going well at the moment making progress from 12 miles to 20 in a week, and feeling good the morning after.... well apart from work.

Thanks Huffton. I think I will wear my Saints shorts, but invest in a cycling top, as they do sound good, and would be worth while. I will leave the cycling shoes for now and stick to my trainers for this one. I do not have toe clips, just normal peddles, but we plan to cycle as much as possible after this, so again is something we will look into later on. I am sure we will continue to buy equiptment as we go along, and be fully kitted out in a few years.

Hi winnersaint. I have to say I have felt good all day after this mornings ride, be doing odd jobs around the house, when I would normally be sat around all day. Well my goodness 51 miles in 3 hours, that is some going! Used to cycle everywhere, to and from work, and just for fun, then 11 years ago I learnt how to drive ditched the bike. Worst move ever. Went from 11.5 stone to within 6 years. I like you tried the gym, but did not like or enjoy it, but now back on the bike it seems like I have wasted 11 years, as it is something that me and my wife enjoy hugely. We plan to push on after this but we will see how this goes first. I wanted a charity that was not a huge player in the market, but one that I feel the money could help make an instant impact. My wife is also a secondary school teacher, and spends most her time with behaviour management, which is just as big a part of teaching than the, well teaching. Some of the bad behaviour comes from traumatic events in their life. I would like to think that all the money we get for this event, which will hopefully be the £500 target will help make a difference. We are trying to think of a few fund raising events in the local area that could go towards this fund. Thanks again for reading this tread, and thank you for your donation We really do appreciate it so much!

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.