WOOHOO! What a charity ride

[ClockworkOrange]

First of all, a heartfelt thanks for all the previous good luck and best wishes, in particular because of my health recently and of course many thanks to those who kindly sponsored me on my London Bikeathon 2009 ride in aid of Leukaemia Research.



Hmmm, looking pensive about the ride, getting my friend around the 26 miles, would it ever happen?

Now was I ever worried about getting there early to be at the front of the queue and getting everybody organised.........the ride did not start until 10.00 am but I took this photo as we drove past 'Big Ben' that's the clock tower of the Palace of Westminster (the Houses of Parliament) in London, 2 hours early!



The 'Big Ben' photo was also relevant as that is a part of the logo for the London Bikeathon, check our medals out, are they good or are they good?



We eventually had 16 in our Team, you have never seen such a bunch of misfits, unhealthy looking people in all your life. My partner and I took a back seat with the ride, as we both had a couple of people to ride with for the whole 26 miles. My friend who is nearly 50, only learnt to ride a bike a couple of months ago and because she is very short and had to borrow a bike on the day, had great difficulty getting her leg over the bike! So, we had to try and plan every set of lights to slow down so she did not have to stop.

I had a lot of concerns about our non-riding Team member who was organising the half way mark and fortunately she agreed with us about a BIG picnic at the end. So the half way mark was fabulous, loads of bananas, melon and various drinks. There was even a gazebo and chairs provided.

The picnic was so well planned out, even down to anchovies and olives next to the salad and of course fresh strawberries, the picnic truly was the envy of everybody else.






My CamelBak worked a treat, (that's me no. 94). I was able to carry so much in it, my best ever bargain on eBay for £7! Another favourite photo, just looking at a friend of mine laughing, I think I made some 'rude' comment but the photo still makes me grin.



This was one of my favourite photos, all along the way you had people cheering and shouting out some funny things, this lady called me a reindeer, so I had to point to my helmet and explain I was an 'Old Dear'! That's my friend to my left, who now is so chilled out and enjoying the ride, pretty amazing really.



Once in Richmond Park, we came across a few proper deer, absolutely beautiful animals,




All in all the day was fantastic, the majority of the riders had achieved something they never thought possible. One friend sent me this:

"Like you I have had achievements but they have all been academic and I knew I could do it if i tried. This was different, there was a real prospect of failure. usually I wouldn't even attempt to do something that had this option but with the support that has been offered by everyone I felt secure and able to make that leap of faith"...............that made all the organising worth while.

We have nearly hit £5000 or $8210.12 for Leukaemia Research, now that was worth doing.

Clock



PS Apart from the adrenalin getting me through the day, I think somebody must have been looking down on me on Sunday, as the previous day I was unwell and the following Monday until now, still suffering from horrible side effects from the medication. Each day I am hoping it will start to ease up.

[crazycanuck]

Good job Clock! Nice to see you guys made it to the end

[nolemom]

Each day I am hoping it will start to ease up

Wishing the same for you! Thanks for the photos with the report - as a fairly new member of TE I enjoy seeing the people who I am starting to get to know. So glad you felt well for the event and it looks like it was a wonderful day.

[andtckrtoo]

Sounds like an incredible ride! Thanks for sharing!! LOVED the photos - y'all look so happy. GREAT JOB!!

[spindizzy]

Nice work! Hope your riding buddies had a blast too!

[Tri Girl]

Woot!!!! Congrats, Clock! I was wondering how you did, and hoping that you had a blast. Judging from the pictures- you certainly did!!!
LOVED all the pictures- looks like your group really enjoyed yourselves and had a wonderful time. Great job on raising so much money- huge kudos to you.
And yes, the medals are quite awesome!

[Zen]

I was just thinking of you today, Clock!
because I bought you a postcard
This thread makes me happy. You did a great job recruiting your friends and you raised so much money! I am truly impressed.

[snapdragen]

Great report clock! Enjoyed reading this and your "not published in Hello magazine" writeup! Good job to you and your team.

[jobob]

Great report, and congratulations on a job well done!

[Zen]

By the way, you look great

[ClockworkOrange]

Am all excited as today we have reached the final figure of £7745 (US $12273.54 or AUS $14110.75)
raised for LEUKAEMIA RESEARCH

My partner and I are looking forward to getting a bigger team and raising even more money in 2010.

Thanks to the friends on this site who kindly sponsored us.



Clock

[Miranda]

Clock, that's great! Thx for sharing and the pics.

[rubywagon]

Way to go! That looks like a really fun ride. Loved the pictures.

[snapdragen]

That's awesome Sally, congratulations on your final figure!

[ClockworkOrange]

Zen was asking me, "what park were you in and what is the building in the distance behind the Big Ben"?

Well, the building behind Big Ben is the Houses of Parliament, this photo explains all:



This is perhaps the most common view:



The park was actually the grounds of the Royal Chelsea Hospital, the yearly Chelsea Flower Show is always held there too.



There are few institutions in the United Kingdom with an unbroken three centuries of service and none of them is so close to the heart of the nation as "The Men in Scarlet", the Chelsea Pensioners, and their home, the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Founded in 1682 by King Charles II and intended for the 'succour and relief of veterans broken by age and war', the Royal Hospital, with its Grade 1 listed buildings, still serves its original purpose and intends to continue to further its role well into the 21st Century.



A couple of these lovely gents where around on day of the bike ride, one in particular was really cheeky, because of my helmet he came up to me and gave me a hug and whispered "you've got a nice pair", he was meaning the antlers on my helmet.................I think!

Clock