Achieving a major milestone : Day 4

Sunday before NSW Labour Day. A mild breeze WNW at 29kms. Perfect blue sky. 15 degrees here in the Southern Highlands. Having ridden 19km last evening, I set out to make an altogether longer ride. Just $70 short of $3,000 raised and starting with 49km of the 360km distance goal already ridden. 3 weeks to go to raise that $1,070.

Well the wind doubled in speed and shifted to WSW. Everything was suddenly harder. The muscles protested even at modest hills. But I got there. Brought the ride average to 20kms, after 4 rides. Just ahead of target

A family grandkids afternoon. Over a cuppa I checked my emails. Gobsmacked by a single donation that got me to the $4,000 target today, day 4 of 31. So generous. Making a big difference for Kids with cancer. Children’s Medicsl Research will put this to great use.

So for the next 27 days I am redoubling my efforts. I’ll be raising my financial goal and making sure to get those kms under my belt. Just in case a period of heavy rain gets in the way.

I have a big announcement this coming Tuesday so stay tuned. Very exciting. Wednesday could be the day that breaks all records. But only if YOU are on board.

Go well ! And please donate, perhaps even wait for Tuesday’s announcement . It will be VERY rewarding.

6th Day of Training: Another 15.5kms, with 77km/hr wind gusts!

Here in the Southern Highlands it was blowing gusts of 77km at 11.30am this morning when I was out training. The 15.5km run had me nearly blown off a couple of times, but good to remind oneself of safe riding, constant vigilance. Suffice to say beating into that wind had me down to 11km/hr, but 40km/hr when riding East! Getting ready for the off next Wednesday, 1st October. I hope you'll join me in helping to fight against Kids' cancer by donating to the ride . TIA. John

End of first week of training

A huge thank you to all of you who have supported my return to the bicycle saddle in such an important cause. Today, sunny.... but a cool 9 degrees start. What worried me was the 40km gusts from the southwesterly. Finally got the balance right to deal with that, but the lungs protested a bit beating into the worst of it. Down along Bong Bong Common, up through the glorious streets of Burradoo, here in the Highlands, and then a return run. That got me to 14.8km. Yes, tiring through the buffeting of the wind. But then I thought: 'Heck, how about making it 20km?'. So, off I went again did most of the return run on Bong Bong Common and then back for 21km total this morning. Oof! I am going to upload my videos to Vimeo tomorrow, so they can all be viewed there. I'll put up a link when done. Again thanks for the support. It's what helps me keep training, so I am ready for the Great Cycle Challenge, which officially starts on October 1st. Remember: I'm riding to support the Fight Against Kids' Cancer. Till next time. John

Raising The Bar

After just five days you, my friends, have helped me raise over $500. The Great Cycle Challenge starts in 12 days time. So I've raised and doubled my fundraising goal, which is now $2,000!

I'll be back in the saddle tomorrow after a day in Sydney today, Thursday 18th September.

First day of training

Not as tough as I feared, but it was only a very short 10km ride. 2.5 weeks of training ahead, leading to alternate days of 18km rides.