A Solution.

This picture was taken on the Team 219 Atlantic coast challenge ride in June.

During one of the many trips we made to various cycle shops in France (to have John's wheels repaired) this cycle and trailer set up was spotted sitting in the front window at one of the shops.

John has recently informed me that if my health doesn't recover for next years planned rides he is going to make me ride in a trailer similar to this-he of course will be up front spinning the pedals.

If I ever had an incentive to recover as quick as possible this must be it.

John also told me that his first idea was a tandem but he discounted that idea because he said that I would want to be up front-not a good idea with dodgy eyesight.

Wait and See ?

I must start this entry with an apology for the lack of postings over the recent past. Unfortunately I have had another emergency visit to the hospital. On Monday I suffered a further major bleed in my left eye. This time it was so bad that it managed to detach the retina and I was informed that if I didn't have surgery straight away than it was unlikely that I would ever regain the sight in that eye again.
Next thing I knew I was being wheeled into an operating theatre- from there on I remember nothing. When I woke up I could still not see anything out of the eye and it felt as if someone had been playing marbles with it-however the Nurses and Doctors were first class and I now have to play a 'wait and see' game- ie: If I Wait I Might See.

Mission Accomplished..........!!

Mission Accomplished- that was the text message I received from Dave(Broom Wagon)Vaughan this afternoon. Yes Dave has managed to beat the 'Hill of Death' on his Sunday ride today.

He tells me that on the last section of the hill where it kicks up steeply he was in bottom gear but his legs were not exactly spinning- in fact he had to talk to himself in very tough language in order to complete that final and steepest section.

But he did it and is now a full card holding member of Team 219.
Well done Dave..!

I look forward to racing him up the hill sometime in the spring just as soon as I have recovered from treatment. I always like to give a bit of a head start so keep concentrating on the training Dave I should only be about three months behind you..........!!

Team 219 still training.

Although I am stuck at home for the time being with my various ailments- the Team 219 lads are managing to get out and about on their bikes.

John has sent me a picture of his 'Revolution' on the seafront at Swanage. As the weather was so good today he decided to ride our Studland/Corfe/Swanage training circuit. John tells me that he was feeling so good that after he had ridden the circuit once he then went round and did it all over again. This means he rode the 'hill of death' twice. John has really come on as a cyclist over the past two years and he has managed to lose two stone in weight as well. When he first started riding he only just managed to get to the top of the HOD now he can manage two ascents on the same ride. Well done John !

Dave (the broom wagon)Vaughan has sent me a picture of his new set of wheels parked up at the bridge at Wareham. Dave tells me that he completed the Studland/Corfe/Wareham training route but was beaten by the HOD. He managed to get two thirds of the way up before he had to dismount. I have no doubt that after more training Dave will beat the hill in the same way that John has done. A really great first attempt Dave !

I wish that I could be out riding with these guys and I aim to do just that as soon as my health issues are sorted.

John and I have already been discussing various rides that we plan on doing next year including a trip to Normandy in late spring/early summer and a charity ride for 'Help the Heroes'. I also plan on entering the Duncton Sportive with the aim of moving from bronze to silver and there is even talk of Cycling Across America in 2011.

I have worked out my training schedule (including my cancer treatment) and even if I dont regain the sight in my left eye - I will be riding next year....................!!

The Journey Continues................

I thought that I would post an update from my last one on Monday.

Some good news was received on Tuesday concerning the Aorta problem. Apparently it is of a size that at this stage only requires an annual scan to monitor it. This news helped me in coming to terms with the earlier bad news concerning the cancer. Unfortunately on Wednesday evening something happened that sent me a few steps backwards.

Without going into all the details- I have lost the sight in my left eye. This is not connected with the cancer but seems most likely to be the failure of the warfarin that I am taking to control my blood clotting. During the Wednesday evening I had noticed that the sight in my left eye appeared to be getting slightly dimmer and then- wham-the centre of my vision in that eye seemed to be like looking at a huge pool of blood that obscured everything else.

Anne took me to A&E at Poole who after four hours sent us over to the Emergency Eye unit at Bournemouth Hospital. An Eye Consultant there did various tests and it would appear that I have a blood clot in the eye.(Something had burst) She told me that it is possible I will not regain the sight and all we can do for the next month is wait and see how much of the clot the body absorbs. After that it might be possible to try and clear it with laser treatment. What really caused me to go into panic mode was when she told me that there is a small chance that this could happen in my other eye as well........

Prior to my recent biopsy I had to stop taking the Warfarin-starting it again afterwards. However since that time my blood test readings have been all over the place and this appears to be the cause.

So- for the time being I cannot drive- I cannot ride my bikes- and I must not even indulge in any strenuous walking such as hillwalking or backpacking. This means that I am now unable to attend the BPC static meet at Tom's Field this weekend. I have spoken to Peter Calcutt who will now lead the walk and he should arrive at the site between 1900hrs and 2000hrs.

I have completed lots of difficult journeys over the years but this current one is testing me to my very limits ...!!

I HAVE HAD BETTER DAY'S...!

Following my cycling accident in June I had a number of abnormal blood tests. These led on to me having various tests and scans the latest of which was a biopsy (pretty uncomfortable it was too).

About three weeks ago I was told by a junior doctor that the results 'appeared' to be negative. At that time I breathed a huge sigh of relief thankful that the big 'C' had passed me by.

Today I had a meeting with my consultant and he confirmed that of the eight biopsies that were taken -two were shown to be positive.

It all feels a bit like a psychological rollercoaster-initially feeling low then back up with relief and now back down again. It does focus one's thoughts somewhat.

To add to my concerns one of the scans has shown an enlarged Aorta (Aneurysm) and the risk of this bursting still needs to be assessed.

I have always kept myself fit and led an active life and looking on the positive side- it is only due to the cycling accident that these two potentially life threatening conditions have been found.

At the moment I do feel a bit like the picture shown above- trying to drag myself up and out of the depths. After a few days I will manage to drag myself out of the muddy depths and reach the grassy bank and at that time I will get on my bike and start fighting back but at the moment I am finding the mud pretty deep.....!!

Yes-I have had better days.....!!

Lessons in Travel - 1

It occurs to me that a little advice from others on the art of travel (and it is an art if done properly) is always welcome.

With this in mind I thought that over the forthcoming winter months I would post a few words every now and then as uttered by the wise and experienced.!!

To kick it off we have a quote on Travel Companions:-


The man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready.
(Henry David Thoreau)


How true that comment is......
I recall a number of backpacking trips with someone who seemed to delight in having 'another ciggarette' before taking his tent down whilst everyone else was packed and ready for the off.

One of the great pleasures of solo backpacking (or any form of solo travel) is the freedom from others.