Less than 2 weeks to go.... Arghhhh!

Well, I haven’t blogged since coming back from the Cotswolds, can’t imagine why a sore posterior and too many hills should have put me off but there you are. It’s now less than 2 weeks to the big kick off….. am I looking forward to it, absolutely, do I hope that Scotland has better weather than it has the last 3 weeks, absolutely! The rain in western Scotland – yep, we chose the western route, has been non-stop with winds to match. If it’s like that all the way, the first 4 days will be pure hell. Anyway, that’s enough of me & my fears – now I want to answer the last couple of questions from my 3^rd blog.

4. Have you donated to my justgiving page yet?

5. Can I do this all again tomorrow, and the day after, for 12 days?

The answer – if you haven’t already guessed is yes…… well, definitely yes for the question 5. Whatever it takes, we will get back on those bikes and ride – have no fear, however sore, however tired, there is only one goal and that’s Lands End by lunchtime on the 25^th June!

As for question 4 I have to tell you that the support has been fantastic. I have so far raised £980 for Cancer Research Uk & £195 for the Starlight Childrens Foundation.

Both are great causes but obviously cancer touches nearly everyone at some point so has raised more. Even so I want to say a big thank you to all that have so far supported me. Just so anyone else who wishes to contribute can the Just giving pages are…….

www.justgiving.com/Mark-R-Taylor for Cancer Research &

www.justgiving.com/Mark-R-Taylor2 for Starlight Childrens Foundation

To know more about the charities please see their websites

www.cancerresearchuk.org & www.starlight.org.uk

To date I have cycled about 600 miles in training and yes it does get easier the more you do. Muscle memory is a fantastic thing so I hope my muscles will remember to keep pumping those wheels round and will forget the pain and cramps in the evening and stiffness the following morning! I have now been up Ditchling Beacon four or five times & each trip gets progressively easier. It’s never going to be easy but I am breathing out of my mouth and nose when I reach the top these days……..

Thanks for reading, thanks for supporting and if you haven’t yet donated to the causes please take some time to give what you can. 12 days & counting…………