Donald King

R&J were talking about second life - so I went on line and joined. I have absolutely no idea what it is about but as people are actually buying and selling on line in some fancy money I thought I may use this as another way to raise some money for two good causes. If anyone knows anything about this, and can help please let me know - as this would help to reduce my learning time.

At the moment I seem to be flying, falling and having brief conversations with people who just fly away!! is it me??? Will let you know how I get on with this.

No more progress on the bike painting so I am going to speak to Steve on Friday and will let you know where we are - Friday I will be out on my road bike - no doubt will be Kn*** at the end - but this is the beginning of all the serious training.

To date we have received from sponsorship at the 2 sites a total of £343.90 - this is really great. Please continue to give generously and pass details on to your friends.

Still not sure when the bike will be ready so towards the end of this week will start training on my road bike. I had a great road bike when I was in Warrington - it fitted well, had a great seat, never caused any problems or gave me any pain, and was given to me by a close friend. Unfortunately age caught up with it. My new road bike is very light, but does give me pain in the neck and shoulders. Mind you everyone says I am a pain in the neck so it is good for me to suffer.

Will keep you posted on my training - it is still bl**** cold, wet and windy for anyone to go training never mind a totally unfit old man. At the moment th ethought of global warming sounds great if it means that we could be on the mid 70s for the whole year - but I guess the down side does not bear thinking about.

Hopefully as the training develops I will use the bike more and help to reduce my own personal carbon footprint.

Take care

Janet was a very special lady and her details can be seen on the above web page. This will inspire you to give money and to count your blessings - what we have at the moment is precious and we should enjoy it.

No word about bike respray so I am hoping to get an update tomorrow.

Will keep you posted
Don

A big thank you to D & C McLean from Fort William for supplying the Kilt as their sponsorship - still good to see Companies who are willing to help, especially for a good cause.

Weather over the last few days has been really poor so I am glad I have an excuse not to be training - no bike!!

When I get the bike back and I have put it all together the serious training will begin - cant wait Also need to look at my diet more closely - ate some fried food today and I am now suffering with my ulcer - when will I ever learn;

Hope bike will be ready nexy week - will keep you posted

It looks as if they will be painting it a very special colour and possible of the pearlescent type that changes colour in the sunlight. I am realy looking forward to it and as soon as it is finished I will place photos on the Web and on the Blog. KEEP CHECKING BACK.

No plans received yet from the bamboo trailer company.

Take care

DOn

Considred a "BOB" trailer but they seem quite expensive especially as I am unlikely to use the trailer much in the future.

Have found a web site that will send you plans for building a trailer made from bamboo and sent them an e-mail - so watch this space!!! I will hopefully get someone who is more skilled than me (not difficult) to build trailer long and thin so it will tie in with look of bike - overall length of the bike is 102" When doing the cycle and training it is hoped the unusual combination will attract interest and therefore more sponsors.

Keep in touch

It looks sad seeing the bike in peices - it looks as if it has died and just been left to rot away

I am really looking forward to see it looking good and will take pictures for you to see the new lean, mean machine, whereas I am still overweight, dumpy, old and decrepid - I wonder if a respray would take me back to having a body to die for??

The Polish company will not supply me with their trailer as part of the sponsorship so I am now thinking about building a bamboo trailer .

Will keep you informed of life

Not sure about the modesty issue when cycling still I guess no need to worry too much as you see worse on the beach!!

Still looking for any help about best route (flatest) from Oldham to Bradford if anyone can help I will be most grateful.

Don

ECG completed by nurse and as far as she can tell no major problems. Heart rate is slower than average but as far as I know it has always been like that - super atheletes have slower heart rate than most people - am I now able to say I am an athelete???

Started to dismantle the bike to get it ready for its painting next week. Really looking forward to see what it will be like.

The only date change would be leaving on Sunday rather then Monday and that will depend on route, mileage and last but not least my level of fitness

Bike is going in for painting on Monday so will keep you informed of progress.

The Baileys have offerred to double my money if I wear a kilt and am looking for a Mini kilt to wear - have contacted a couple of Kilt companies in "Bonnie Scotland" to see if they can help. If anyone knows of wher I could get a Kilt free please let me know.

Weather is still very windy and wet and I am really looking forward to the good weather - I guess I am a fair weather cyclist!!.

Glevum Conservatories Ltd Newnham on Severn, Gloucestershire have just pledged £100 off line for the charity. What a great contribution from a very kind company.

In addition Steve - BodyTek (Gloucester) Limited in Cam have offerred to spray my bike from black to some jazzy colour.

Two great local companies who are prepared to help and it makes you glad to know that some companies are not only about profit. My thanks to both of them.

During the weekend I will be stripping the bike down and next weeek delivering a bare frame for painting. New photos will be added showing the bike in its glorious colour scheme.