Serious Preparation

So far most of my preparations have been in front of a computer screen rather than on my new Brooks saddle.

Today I was finally able to create my charity giving page at Virgin Money. I discovered this worthy rival to JustGiving.com quite by chance although it was bike related.

I left my new TopPeak track pump at the side of the drive after I had pumped up my grandaughter, Sacha's tyres for her. Unfortunately my dear wife reversed over the pump and completely shredded a tyre which resulted in a visit to Ladybank Tyres for a new tyre. Bear with me I'll get there eventually. It transpired that a few Ladybank Tyres employees are cycle enthusiasts and someone had left out a cycle magazine, which I greedily devoured, while I awaited my new tyre.

One of the articles introduced virginmoneygiving.com, which is a not for profit site which ensures that a much greater proportion of funds raised reaches its  intended recipients. 2% charges instead of 5% and a one off fee of £100 for the charity to be registered instead of £15 per month.

If you feel inclined follow the link alongside this post.

Brian's Big Bike Ride Brought Forward

Why would anyone want to cycle from Calais to the Med?
Are you mad?
You're not 21 any more you know.
What if you have to give up after a few days?

These were some of the "helpful" comments I received when I revealed my plan to mark my retirement from teaching, by challenging my hitherto sedentary body to propel me and my newly acquired Dawes Super Galaxy from the North to the South of France.

I had originally planned to make this trip in 2012, when I was scheduled to retire aged 60. I thought that it would be a good way to mark these two major milestones in my life.

However at very short notice in May this year Fife Council decide that they could "manage" without my last two years of teaching and offered me early retirement - an offer which was grabbed gratefully and with indecent haste on my part.

However, they ruined my careful plan for this event and forced me to bring forward Brian's big bike ride to August 15th 2010 the official date of my retirement.

Better get the lycra looked out and start training!