Hello People,

I thought Id open up with a well needed debut blog. So, where to start.......... (head scratching moment!)

Well how about with the last few days. After the last team meeting I felt disappointed that so far I was training on an old penny farthing bike with limited braking facilities and a relationship with Penny that wasn't particularly great, we did have a moment where I dropped her outside Norton stores because she was losing tyre pressure. She has served her initial purpose of getting me into cycling mode and I thank her for the times we spent together. But now as I enter Wiggins mode I set myself the challenge from Saturday of a 10 day limit to get a new bike and the safety gear to follow. (Kids, Always wear a helmet!)

I smashed that record! (by the way people I a big fan of challenges, numbers and beating records) with the help of Hairy Rich I'm all kitted out. Bike comes on Tuesday and she quite the sexy little thing too. Shes a Fuji (not a camera- Id like to see someone try and pedal a 10 mega pixel camera up a hill) who is named Penny-Jane. Choosing Penny-Jane was a difficult decision to make. I fell in love with a Ridley but she was a bit expensive, some bikes where like £8000! I sulked for ages and told everyone I wanted a Radley instead of a Ridley and people now think I like handbags with pretty dogs on them. Oh well!

Yesterday took myself and Rich to Sheffield to get equipment .I knew I would have to face my demons and try the Lycra shorts which seems a little kinky to me. I don't mind wearing short shorts and believe me I do! but Lycra makes me feel exposed. Rich put me at ease though. He decide to but a Lycra mask thing over his sunglasses and made himself look like a gay ninja or somewhat of a power ranger that was forgotten to be scripted in. That was it....... I went for it. I tried a full body suit first, oh it made my eyes sore and from a side view I did look a little like Brett the Hit man Hart (wrestler from WWF in the 90's) actually who am I kidding. I looked like a gay wrestler. That one was soon back on the shelf and i gingerly went for shorts ONLY! I'm still not comfortable with the idea but on this epic adventure comfort over looks is essential (now I sound like my grandad when he goes slipper shopping)

So that was the cycling shopping experience thankfully over and now its back to the serious stuff- training and most importantly fundraising. I'm still struggling with a knee injury at the moment which with Hairy Rich on my side, we are working on improving in the gym with strength work and keeping me on a lead! I take myself and my knee off to the hospital on the 15th to check out the damage.Ive covered 120 miles in the last 7 days which isn't too shabby really.

As for fundraising, Ive been a little slow but like on a bike, I soon catch up. Its time to really knock the smoke out of it. My mini mission at the moment is to push us over the £1000 mark, increase the awareness of Zoe's and the ride. Finally this is a big step but I'm going to try and get a mystery person involved in this for us, oh and tap up Sheffield Hallam Uni for some cash before the budget cuts!


Keep following the blog!

Scott