The first I ever bonked!…(and other assorted stories)

Well, with just 100 days until the start of the challenge it’s time to put proverbial pen to paper and tell you what we have been up to whilst (hopefully) providing some light entertainment. It’s been quite some time since my last blog post, and things going on outside of the challenge have meant writing has taken a backseat. ‘All change’ is probably enough to say for now!

Nonetheless, the boys and I have been hard at work training. From a personal perspective, it’s been tough to get motivated throughout the winter, and dragging myself in the garage to grind along on the turbo trainer to loud music has been a case of needs must. The weather has not been kind to us, with the Valleys seeing lots of very cold weekends, rain and snow. Not ideal conditions for getting out on the bike….I really can’t emphasise enough how much wind chill plays a massive part in dragging your temperature down if out on the bike on a cold day.

I have managed a few outdoor rides though, and the difference the indoor turbo training had made was evident from the off. First session down Llanelli with Grant and one of his cycling mates was a tough 70km on a cold day, and into some harsh winds. The halfway stop for coffee and chocolate brownie was very welcome. Following that, I managed a midweek dash around the Beacons on a rare mild evening.

Then comes the story relating to the blog title…..and I’m sorry to disappoint as it has nothing to do with my sexual exploits! ‘Bonking’ is a term used in cycling when you completely run out of energy, and can barely pedal. Being an overly optimistic person, I attempted to cycle 100km to see a mate in Symonds Yat, going via Hay on Wye and the Gospel Pass….all while wearing a full 30 litre rucksack (I was staying the night). Two hours in all was well, but halfway up the pass it started to rain. By the time I went down the back of the pass it was freezing cold rain, on a ‘road’ of muddy water, slippery gravel and potholes galore.

After 2 hours of freezing rain and hands so cold I couldn’t get my phone out of my pocket to navigate I was psychological beaten….nearly. I ploughed on at a snail’s pace, gritting my teeth, only at 95km in to hear an agonising crunch and the sound of the chain breaking (see pic)……’character building’ is a good description! Luckily I was only 8km from my destination, and after a swift Land Rover rescue, a whole Toblerone in 10 mins, and a cup of hot tea whilst sitting in the bath I felt human again. Check out my ride ‘Hell Ain’t a Bad Place to Be’ on Relive!

Grant and I also managed a recce up to Snowdon and Cadaer Idris, 2 of the 3 mountains we will be tackling on the challenge. This proved to be a real eye opener, and showed its going to be really tough coming down and getting on the bike. Whilst going up is hard work the walk down is a real test of the quads, and fraught with the potential for injury…although on a plus we did find a cracking curry house in North Wales! Great scenery, and cant wait to take it all in again in July.

We are making strides on our journey for kit sponsorship, and are currently engaging with businesses to raise as much money as we can through kit sponsorship. Below is a preview of the kit, designed by our very own Sore Seat hero James.  If you know of any local businesses who might want to get involved in our great cause please point them in our direction.

 

I have forever promised readers of the blog some funny nuggets from my cycling history so here goes….well it’s probably worth starting with the event that halted my cycling career 14 years ago. I was working for a well know bank in Swansea at the time, and not having passed my driving test used to cycle the 5 miles to work with Grant along the River Tawe. Being young and stupid I didn’t used to wear a helmet, and also being fond of laughing at little things I was at the time chuckling one evening at seeing 70’s football supremo Kevin ‘Special K’ Keegan falling off his bike on TV’s ‘Superstars’. Riding home one day I decided to give Grant a demonstration of how bad Keegan’s cycling technique was…..only to end up going over the handlebars and hitting my head on the cycle path. I came to my senses about 30 minutes later, walking the bike, with an egg on my head and scratches all over my glasses. Clearly concussed, it probably explains a lot of why I’m no longer young, but still stupid! Anyway for anyone interested here’s special K with that awful cycling technique…

I hope everyone has enjoyed the read. Please ‘like’ the Facebook page, follow on Twitter (@soreseats) or Instagram, and most importantly please donate at Just Giving if you haven’t already. Massive thanks in advance everyone, and cheers for reading…

Jon

#forvicky #hpss #thrombosisuk #thrombosis

Training Montage

Oz giving us a taste of his indoor training regime

Don’t forget to donate on our Just Giving page. Thanks in advance. 

A Load of Bull

Short vlog from Chris, great story had me chuckling!

https://youtu.be/MvuvzmSpkmY

If you have not already please Donate on our Just Giving page

How to Become a Double-World Champion Cyclist in 2 Months

Good headline? Wondering how the hell I managed this in such a short period of time? Well it’s pretty simple really, and very unglamorous. All you have to do is buy some second-hand cycling shorts off eBay. Anyway more of those monstrosities later….

Over the past week I have been reflecting on everything that has happened; Vicky’s sudden passing, the idea of setting up a charity challenge, and starting cycling. It’s the right time to pull some of my thoughts together and get them down into a written blog. At this point I usually insert some self-deprecating joke, but seeing as it’s the first one I’m going to say it’s awesome so you keep on reading.

It’s been three months since Vicky passed away so suddenly, and in many ways you could say life has started to creep back to ‘normality’, although I know that it will never really be the same again. Everybody seems to be doing ok. I can’t say ‘as expected’ as I don’t think there’s an expected way for anyone to react after such a traumatic and life changing experience.

Emma has been incredibly strong, and one thing she has said really struck a chord with me, and is something I would want readers of the blog to take away and live by. Emma had no regrets where Vicky was concerned, they had never really fallen out, and there was never anything unsaid between them. As a result they always loved each other, foibles and all. So, love big, always forgive, and don’t let anything come between you and the ones you love. If you do and something devastating and unexpected happens you might have regrets you can never truly let go of.

Anyway let’s get onto me taking up cycling. Now my cycling history is quite a chequered one to say the least. In one of my first vlogs I alluded to the story of my Kevin Keegan ‘Superstars’ inspired crash, but I will keep that and my other cycling related buffoonery for a blog to make you chuckle during the cold winter months. Needless to say I have not ridden a bike very often since my early 20’s, but with the recent cycling boom I have been tempted to get out and join the wave of helmets hogging kerbs all over the UK. The need to do something to support Thrombosis UK, and in memory of Vic, was important to me. As Vic was a very keen cyclist it felt like the right thing to do….plus I knew it would get me out of my comfort zone, and also I do love a challenge.

Initially I found being out on the road was a little disconcerting, particularly from a safety perspective. As I have grown older (in age not attitude some may say….to those people I blow a raspberry) I am infinitely more aware of the inherent danger in normal every day activities. Surprisingly that hasn’t stopped me pedalling frantically down some of the local hills in an attempt to better my Strava segment times…..seems the competitive edge in me will never be extinguished!

Now as most people know to be a proper cyclist you need some cycling attire. I’m unable to prefix cycling with the word ‘suitable’ for reasons obvious to anyone who has seen a road cyclist in action. After only progressing to publically wearing a vest top in the past 18 months, Lycra has been a big step. Sadly, this didn’t dissuade me from investing in a pair of bright white shorts (bib shorts to those in the know). These particular shorts are fairly tight, and not to be worn in the wet as they become see through, and readily pick up mud in a rather unfortunate area. I also discovered the fetching coloured hoops on the legs are actually double-world champion stripes, and a big ‘no no’ according to the rules of the Velominati.

On a serious note, if you are thinking of taking up cycling it’s ideal to hook up with some mates or a club where you can get advice on kit, cycling, routes, terminology, and even sometimes pick up some cheap kit to help you get started. It’s not cheap, but as I have learnt recently you have to live for the day, and the investments I made are well worth it. The sense of freedom from getting out and seeing your bit of the world at your own speed is fantastic. In a time where we often rush from A to B, it’s liberating to see the world around you at a pace where you can take things in and appreciate them. Within seconds you can go from enjoying the view at the top of a climb to the exhilaration of flying down the other side, daring yourself not to hit the coward pedal (more commonly known as ‘the brake’ if you don’t partake to the Greevil Knievel  view of the world). Disclaimer: Please use the brakes and be sensible. It’s a whole lot of fun, but always take care on the road.

The training is going really well, and I have noticed since starting out my fitness levels have increased dramatically. After walking the majority of my first attempted climb I am now able to go from bottom to top without stopping, and still have plenty in the tank. Even the asthma hasn’t stopped me, although now that I’m taking the medication not having to struggle for breath is a big help! At the same time I am well aware there is a long way to go training wise. Seeing Jimmy, Grant and Greeves coasting along up hills, it’s easy to see how far the newbies have to go, although I am confident if we keep at it and structure the training progressively then we will be good. I have worked up from 20km rides to my first 100km this weekend just gone. Granted my legs are tired, but I was pleased to get the milestone done, and in rather tough conditions too….like I said, I do like a challenge.

The lads doing the challenge with me have been absolutely brilliant and I can’t thank them enough, whether it’s taking me out on rides, advising on kit, nutrition, routes, and the basics of how to ride, the list is endless, even lending me a bike at the start. Please don’t tell any of them this though, my constant ribbing and banter on our What’s App groups (‘Charity Ride’ and ‘Bike W***ers’ lol) really won’t have the same genuine ring to it. The banter has been fantastic, and it’s helped us push on to get fitter and better on the bike….yes Stan I do jest but it all has an underlying motive to push us all on. It’s important to remember why we are doing this, and making memories with great friends is a massive bonus. I have to say a big thanks to Pete, Dad (Alan), and Beynon, who are all going to be supporting us throughout the challenge itself, and probably leading up to it too. I have massive respect that mates and family will help us achieve what we want to, whilst letting us have the limelight. I am very sure that we won’t be able to complete this challenge without their support, and that of everyone else who has to put up with the training, and all-round obsession if you happen to live with me (sorry babe x).

I hope everyone has enjoyed the read, we are hoping to mix the vlogs and blogs up a bit, and make them more entertaining. Please, please, please like the Facebook page and posts, follow on Twitter (@soreseats), and donate at Just Giving if you haven’t already. Massive thanks in advance everyone…..

Peace out

Jon

Long & Winding Road

Check out the latest from Jon, including first good group ride with the High Peaks Sore Seats gang.

Don’t forget to donate if you have not already.

Blowing in the wind

Hi everyone,

It’s been a while since I managed a post, but I have not been idle though! Find out how I got on over the past couple of weeks, including some shock news at the G.Ps (or maybe not so shocking lol). Don’t forget to donate if you have not already.

Man of the World (down)

Hi all, apologies a bit slow with the blogs this week. Here’s Chris’ post from the mammoth ride last Sunday

The Challenge

Evening everyone,

Finally managed to pull together an overview video of the charity challenge route. Think it’s going to be a pretty tough challenge, but looking forward to taking in some of the lovely Welsh scenery on the way.

Don’t forget to donate if you haven’t already!

Rolling and Twmbl’ing

Evening everyone, unfortunately I have been out of action this week with a bit of a neck problem. Hoping to be back out on Bank holiday Monday all being well. Nevermind, brave Oz has been out tackling the dreaded Tumble Climb, and listen out for the High Peaks & Sore Seats Charity team’s first potential Guiness World Record Entry….

Please dont forget to donate in memory of Vicky and to support Thrombosis UK. Cheers everyone, happy riding to everyone out on the bike this weekend!

Stan-d By Me