Trials and Tribulations

After the 24 hours non stop endurance fundraiser at Tescos Salisbury, came the Trial.
In what form you may wonder?...., Well being older, with previous injuries, I (Jamie) had underestimated the toll such a task would take on my ageing body. Within a matter of days, my back completely locked up, rendering me pretty much useless. I still attended work, consulted a doctor and begun a slow process of physiotherapy. That was all well and good, but with age comes penalties....., Time. I could no longer heal as quick as was once possible. To that end, our planned Alpine challenge for 30th June 2012 had to be postponed (not a decision taken lightly)! To say I was feeling low, would be something of an understatement, it was very hard to deal with, especially seeing as for me `The glass is most definately `half-full`.

At the time of going to press, I am now back on the bike, riding reasonably well, trying my best to get back to the previous level of fitness (most of which was lost during my rehabilitation).

A new date has been set for the challenge of riding from Modane to Alpe d` Huez, Friday 21st September 2012. Although not allowing that much time to get full fitness back, I consider this to be just enough time to prepare for the Alpes. This coupled with the fact that a support team of Chris Carroll and Mark Crew (our team from LEJOG July 11) are now fully `on board`, leads to Tribulation.

The logistics are pretty much taken care of. At this point I would like to thank Mr John Avery (the Station Manager) of Europcar Salisbury. He listened to our story, especially the disappointments of previous let downs (You know who you are)!, We chatted briefly about Le Tour, and the successes of Team SKY, not forgetting Tommy Vockler and Pierre Rollande of Team Europcar (not sure about spelling, I`m sure the French won`t mind). He then put something together to assist our challenge, once again Thank you John.

We will be filming the whole ride in HD from different angles on the bike and from the support vehicle, so those of you who read this, or stumble across this blog (as many do), then please feel free to comment, once we have edited and posted.

Although not attending due to family comittments, Neil is 100% part of this, supportive and the best friend a man could ever wish for.

I will do my best to continue to update the blog more regularly, especially now that I`m in a better frame of mind.

It`s funny how cycling can really get you!

As a foot note, anyone who has the slightest knowledge of cycling will know just how immense the task was for Team GB in the Olympic road race. Sincere congratulations go out to Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome, David Millar, Ian Stannard and last but not least Mark Cavendish, for the sterling effort. You are still the best. Victims of your own success.....Chin up lads, you are not made of chocolate!

Tara for now