Dizzy's Blog

Final Post? :-)

dizzyjojo1980 — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 21:10:11 +0000

Hi everyone,

I done it. .

London – Paris.

310 miles, 2 countries, many bananas, energy bars & gels, alpen bars, water, squash, pasta, tuna, brie, bread, coke, vodka, orangina, deep heat, iboprofen pills.

Blisters on places I wasn’t sure existed, stung by a wasp (30 mph downhill when it hit), asthma attack in a lovely bit of countryside, was sick on energy drink in misty, damp England, pulled a teeny tiny little muscle in my groin, got sores on my knees from stitching in combats, bum-bone ache, calf ache.

Some ingenious, and painful, wee- spots!

5 hotels, 1 room mate (Helen- you’re fab!), 132 new friends, Ruth, Anna, Jonathon, Gill & many many more, inspirational stories, moving reasons, heartbreak but also many laughs, giggles, and proud, very proud tears on the lap of the roundabout near the Eiffel Tower.

Absolutely fantastic memories, all of them. Here’s some pictures . . .

5am at Crystal Palace start.

Start of 2nd day in France

Me, a Skyline van & oh the Eiffel Tower!

Me & my bike

The pyramid at The Louvre.

Hope you enjoyed. I may write more at some point!

First night

dizzyjojo1980 — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:46:46 +0000

Hi, I’m just relaxing, having a coffee, killing a bit of time before rest of group arrives.

First Picture

dizzyjojo1980 — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 18:24:57 +0000

Well, we’re all packed & ready.

Mum & Dad are picking us up 2moro.

Jack & Jill are packed too!

Will hopefully keep some pictures sent during the trip but roaming charges are pretty high. There will be pictures on my return though!

Hotel in Amsterdam

dizzyjojo1980 — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 19:46:04 +0000

Here is a picture of the hotel, can you help me find it?

Packing & re-packing

dizzyjojo1980 — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 14:35:59 +0000

Hi,
That’s the third time I’ve re-packed my bag, and I haven’t packed my clothes in it yet. I’m so glad I’m not a girly girl and had make-up too, that would be a nightmare.

Bike is all serviced & looking fab. Anything I can attach to it has been. Cycle helmet, mitts, sunglasses, water bottle, energy drink tablets, gels, fleece, water-proofs! My god, I’m going to have a heart attack by the time I get to London.
Obviously it’s meant to rain all next week for expect lots of soggy pictures! lol.
I wonder how many times I’ll pack again before I set off on Tuesday? I’ll let you know! lol.

Less than a week!

dizzyjojo1980 — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:49:35 +0000

Oooo, training has stopped now. Bike goes away for a service 2moro. Planning what to take, what to do in Paris, what to do in evenings.

Even tried to have a last couple of sponsors by messaging everyone on Facebook. No one replied or sponsored me, out of 56 messages sent. A pound each would have made me so happy. Ah well.

Got to sort out ‘roaming’ on my phone & data access etc. Might go look at that now.

10 days to go!

dizzyjojo1980 — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 00:44:47 +0000

Wow, 10 days to go.

Can’t believe it. So close now. Training was going well, a few problems over last couple of weeks have halted play but I went out today and it felt good to be on the bike again.

Also been helping out at a dig at an unearthed Roman Villa so have been keeping busy!

On the forum for the ride everyone is getting very excited and riders from the last ride in August have been offering advice. Most people walk up the hills so don’t worry. You’ll get to Dover in time. The breaks are well timed.

Still nervous, but feeling better, much better. Phew.

Emily’s not coming but I’m sure I’ll make friends & get on well. Let’s hope so anyway!

It’s so close now

dizzyjojo1980 — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 21:18:31 +0000

Hi,
Once more, apologies for the lack of chatter in the last few weeks. I have more free time now I don’t have a job but it seems I’ve been non-stop!
Training was going well, but I haven’t been out for just over a week so will have to get on it again on Monday.
Getting nervous now as I don’t know anyone. Yes, I know I’ll meet people but still . . . . I’m shy & scared & worried.
Worried about being left behind, worried about slowing people down, worried I can’t actually do this. Worried about letting everyone down.
Yet on the other hand, I’m excited about meeting a load of new people, enjoying some days cycling through some gorgeous countryside, helping Mind & those also involved.
I’ve got things planned for my day in Paris, well a few things. Excited, nervous, excited, nervous!

Nerves & Excitement

dizzyjojo1980 — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 20:27:44 +0000

If you didn’t guess by the title I’m getting really nervous & also really excited about the London – Paris.
Nervous because it’s a very long way . . . . a very very long way . . . . 300 miles is a very long way!
I’m a size 16 (almost 14) and 12 stone (just under) and what am I thinking? Cycling 300 miles! Am I mad? Don’t answer that as I am doing this for a mental health charity!
Aaaaaa! What have I done? Can I really do this? Saddle-sore, I can almost feel it just by thinking about it. Well, it’s not the saddle-sore, it’s the bum-pain! Ouch ouch ouch.
I know it’s for an immensely good cause, that’s the problem. I don’t want to let them down. Or my friends & family. They’ve all put up with me for the past year, going on about it, fund-raising, cycling, whinging, whining and all the other things.
I am also excited. Yes, I’m excited too. It’s a whole new experience and I am sooooo looking forward to it. Meet new people & have a trip to a city I’ve never been too. Can I just mention the 300 miles again.
Right, whinging, moaning & misery over. Will keep going, won’t let everyone down!

Near Death experiences & photos

dizzyjojo1980 — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:59:01 +0000

Good evening,

Hope you’re all well. As I mentioned earlier I am going to upload some pictures in a bit from yesterday and a few from today. Today was a bit of hill practice, a lot of hill practice to be more realistic. Up Dover Road, up Folkestone Hill, down into Crete Road West, then up & down all the way along to Newington & Peene. Phew! All was going well until I had a bit of an asthma attack, very painful & a bit worrying considering I was a few miles from main roads. After a little while & inhaler I set off again, eager to get home.

I realised Newington & Peene are lovely little villages and would like to live there. Probably very expensive or very loud, due to Channel Tunnel not being too far away.

I got down into Cheriton high street and a chav girly said ‘Excuse me, your bike seems to be broken, the wheels are going round!’ The most intelligent thing I’ve heard all day. I’m assuming it was a private joke between her & her mate but if it wasn’t I’m not sure if she was trying to be funny.

Anyway, there was me, cycling along, then saw a bus out of the corner of my eye heading straight for me. It was turning into the road I was just passing and hadn’t seen me. I screamed and swerved, narrowly missing the curb & drain. I’m not sure what the bus did. Hopefully braked.

About 5 minutes after that, cycling up to Morrison’s, a little blue car pulled across into the middle lane to get to the supermarket, then just pulled straight across at me. She suddenly realised I was there & braked but if she hadn’t, eeeek.

So, along with a bloke opening the truck door on me in Dymchurch yesterday causing me to swerve & scream, I’m wondering if I’m unlucky this stuff is happening or lucky nothing’s actually hit me?

Ah well, rest day 2moro, maybe a little ride & some exercises. I’m worried about driving anywhere now.

But here we go as promised, here’s the photos . . . .

Ruined Church from ride on 26.07.10

Close up

Folkestone from the Crete Road West

Cheriton & Tunnel Terminal

That's where I'm heading

Road I'd just come up

Some trees

So, there you go, half an hour of uploading pictures for you. Enjoy.