Archive - Donald King

CYCLE LONDON TO PARIS - CHANGES

by donking @ Monday, Apr. 28, 2008 – 03:37:00 pm

Still suffering from near fatal dose of Man Flu - see previous blog.

Due to increase in work I am finding it very difficult to devote time to organising events to raise the necessary funds for my sponsored cycle ride. I have now decided I will cycle on my own (unless others wish to join me) from London to Paris laving London on July 1st at 0700 and arriving in Paris on July 4th 1400.

I then intend to leave my bike somewhere safe in Paris and get the train to Calais cross over and meet Vanessa in Dover at 2300. Just before midnight we will go back over to France to start our two week holiday, and will collect the bike from Paris as we head South.

The money already gathered has been sent to Wiltshire Air Ambulance by the previous trip organisors and I will continue to raise money for the trip in July for the same cause.

Still some organising to do - have a couple of route options in France from Dieppe to Paris but not sure of the Topography. Will keep researching this as well as looking for places to stay enroute - camping sites being favoured option at the moment.

Training needs to be stepped up and bike spares to be looked at as well as travelling as light as possible - trailer behind the bike is the least favoured option at the moment - but not sure how I can carry bag on bike - seems like a good project for next weekend!!!

Will keep in touch - take care and stay safe.

MAN FLU - SERIOUS ATTACK

by donking @ Monday, Apr. 28, 2008 – 11:55:59 am

Where do I start, suffice to say I am in the process of recovering from a near fatal dose of Man Flu. For the many people reading this who do not understand Man Flu it is a very serious medical case that Doctors throughout the Western world and beyond recognise but do not have any cure for. Not sure why it only attacks men but scientists who are studying the condition believe it may be partly caused by working too hard, not having enough free time, low alcohol consumption, limited use of the TV remote control and being asked to do tasks at home instead of relaxing!!

Members of the opposite sex get the flu and various other similar aliments but Man Flu is powerful enough to knock out 100 fully grown elephants with just one micro sized bug – I probably had about 4 million micro sized bugs. This will help you to fully understand what Man Flu is and how it is able to lay low us strong men.

This weekend Vanessa and I went to the Marriott Forest of Arden hotel for the weekend courtesy of her employer Sanderson – they treated all their staff to a fully paid weekend away – what a great gesture, not many companies do that now. Unfortunately when we arrived I went to bed and stayed in it until we left on the Sunday – was well looked after by Vanessa who unfortunately did not get the chance to enjoy herself as much as she should have. Man flu must never be underestimated. I had breakfast before we left but on arrival at home had to go to bed for a few more hours. Many thanks to Sanderson for the treat – it was really appreciated.

Today I am off work and thankfully was able to reschedule where I should have been today. Still feeling ill, sore head, sore stomach, sore eyes, sore rib cage being sick – but apart from that really OK.

As with all members of the male sex, I do not complain or feel sorry for myself when I have this condition – like others we just get on with it. Certainly Vanessa has been great in making tea, meals, doing everything in house and elsewhere, driving car etc, etc as she fully understands the seriousness of my medical condition. I have heard that some ladies do not fully appreciate how this affects normally fit healthy men and they think we are just seeking attention.

I expect medical science will have answers soon to this condition.

Take care and stay safe.

GOOD BOY, BAD BOY

by donking @ Sunday, Apr. 20, 2008 – 02:59:40 pm

Guess the heading on the blog is wrong - should be Good Old Man, Bad Old Man. Start of with the good. Weighed myself this morning and down to 11st 13lbs which means I am under 12 stone for the first time in at least 100 years. Very pleased even although it is only a 1lb loss in the last week - must try harder this week and watch what I am eating.

The bad me decided to celebrate this weigh loss by having 4 yes four, slices of bread with grilled bacon for breakfast. 2 slices would surely have been enough but the pig in me comes out far too often.

Feeling guilty I decided to go for a cycle. I have not been cycling for some time as it has been wet, cold windy or a combination of them. I am very much a fair weather cyclist although when I started my sponsored cycle last year the first 50 miles I completed was in pouring rain that never stopped at any time during the day.

Today I cycled 10.81 miles in a time of 1hour 25 minutes giving me an average of 7.96 mph - it really should be better. At the end of the cycle I could hardly climb the stairs to have a bath - mabye we should invest in a stair lift!!

For my London to Paris cycle I need to be a lot fitter and now must really get the miles in and the weight further down. Keep watching this space to see how I am progressing.

The F1 saga with Mosley is really dragging on and it is certainly detracting from the sport. I could go on for hours about what has or has not taken place but it has all been said by others. Max Mosley keeps saying he did nothing illegal but I always thought if you hired the services of a prostitute you were breaking the law?? He is not doing F1 any favours by staying and he really should resign - most people would do but I guess some people are different. I do hope he gets kicked out ASAP and we can get back to F1 reality.

Take care and stay safe
Don

good news weight loss & F1 back again

by donking @ Sunday, Apr. 06, 2008 – 03:34:33 pm

Weighed myself this morning and I am now down to 12st 1lb so hopefully by next Sunday I will be below 12st for the first time in about 100 years. I am very pleased with my progress to date but like always I am sure it could be better - never mind keep going.

Went cycling yesterday and not very good - the last mile from home involves a climb up Taits Hill and it is pretty steep. The day before Vanessa and I cycled down to Shannon (Vanessas horse) and when we can to the hill Vanessa cycled to the top without stopping - needless to day I have 5 stops to reach the top. Now I have to live with constant reminders about how unfit I am!!

When I cycled on my own yesterday I was actually worse than the day before and had so many stops I lost count - quite discouraging but it is possible the only way now is up.

Done so more modifying to the bike and it has actually reduced the weight of it - only by a few grammes but at least that is better than nothing. I am sure this desire to lose weight is all in the mind but it cinvinces me the bike is lighter so in fact I should find it easier to cycle, especially up hills!

Working every day next week so not a lot of time to train - but hopefully with the brighter nights and weather getting warmer (snow today) I should manage additional days training.

Raising money not going as well as I had hoped although one kind lady has offered to donate some money. Now looking for some way to raise funds big time in one event so would appreciate any ideas anyone may have - need to be completed an dmoney gathered before mid June. Not as easy as it seems this raising money for charity - so many people are alreadt giving to so many worthwhile causes.

Watched the F1 today and really look forward to it being back on the Beeb next year as we will not have to stop for adverts. Hope they manage to attract Martin Brundle I think he is excellent and he is not afraid to say it like it is.
Massa drove well but for poor old Lewis a day to forget - in fact Uk drivers had a combined day to forget. Still for us petrol heads look forward to the next one.

No new photos uploaded today but others can still be seen at www.donaldking.spaces.live.com

Take care and stay safe.