Hello,

I've held off from posting this on IORR as I don't particularly relish raising the contentious issue of charity fundraising but on the other hand, I'm definitely gonna be doing this trip just the once so please grant me a little lee-way...

Last year I cycled across the U.S.A. to raise funds for a couple of cancer charities and things went well: almost £8000 was raised, and a sizeable chunk came from you decent IORRians. So thank you for sponsoring me on that wee run.

I’ve obviously got a patchy memory because I’ve forgotten how bad that was and as a result have decided to go for an even more difficult challenge which is to spend 11 days cycling all the worst climbs in The Alps and The Pyrenees. Basically, we will ascend all the named Cols with the exception of Mont Ventoux because it's too far off our route. Small mercies, eh?

On Sunday 19th August myself and another 599 eejits will roll out from Geneva and then hopefully complete the [www.hauteroute.org] and end-up in Nice (not Nellcote) six days later.
Then my partner-in-cycling-crime and I will drive 500 miles and spend the next 5 days and 400 miles climbing The Pyrenees from west to east. All told we will go over 900 miles forward but the real kicker is the amount of climbing: over 130,000 feet. I'm toast, aren't I?

Why am I doing this?

1) I do have a bad memory. Not sure if I told you this...

2) A couple of years ago a friend and colleague passed away after a real battle with cancer. The dignity, courage and absolute willpower that Linda displayed will never be forgotten and neither will the desperate suffering that this indiscriminate disease causes.

The plan is to raise sponsorship for two charities, one national and one local...

The national one is Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research [leukaemialymphomaresearch.org.uk] which is in the forefront of the struggle to beat blood cancers,

and the local one is the North West Air Ambulance [nwaa.net], which is almost entirely funded by public donations.

I understand that we are in straightened times but if you could spare a little it would make a difference.

- To donate to Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research please visit [www.justgiving.com]

- To keep the North West Air Ambulance flying please visit [www.justgiving.com]

The bad news for me is that I will donate £100 for every £500 raised on either site.

Thanks!

Simon.















As per last year, I have started a blog at [rdmh2012.blogspot.co.uk] I can only apologise in advance, hah-hah-hah!



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2012-08-02 11:49 by SimonN.

Hello,

And a big thank you to Gazza for lobbing in (again)...gold rings on yer whatsits and a beer to you at the next Stones gathering!

Cheers,

Simon.

Hi Simon,

Just made a donation. Weirdly came up as anonymous. Anyway, good luck. You're our own Bradley Wiggins. best wishes Mike

Hi Mike,

You're a star-star! Thank you very much for donating again Sir. The 'beer-on-me-at-next-show' rule applies, obviously!

Your message on [www.justgiving.com] will convert...eventually.

Thanks again,

Simon.

Good Luck Simon

Keep On Rolling

Hi Hans,

Wow! Thank you very much again for digging deep: if our paths ever cross then it's a premium beer for you Sir!

It is things like this that provide terrific motivation/kick up the rear to get out there even though, surprise surprise, it is raining. Again!

All the best,

Simon.

Hello,

Not a bump folks, but a real big thank you to Greenlady for donating to these charities again. The tipple of your choice is on me if we meet at a show...guaranteed!

Without blowing smoke, IORRians f**king rule, hah-hah! Have a great weekend folks- I'll be struggling up some Lancashire hills- I trust your time will be spent doing something a little more enjoyable...

Cheers,

Simon.

Hello,

Now this is a shameless Friday-style bump, folks!
Only 6 more days training left to do before I get found out big style...

The fundraising is coming along (Leukaemia & Lymphoma at £1700, and the Air Ambulance at £800) but it could alwas use another couple of shekels, if you can spare them.

- To help Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research please visit [www.justgiving.com]

- To keep the North West Air Ambulance flying please click on [www.justgiving.com]

Whatever you are doing this weekend- have a great one!

Cheers,

Simon.

Best of British, simon.

Keep right on.

Hi Mike,

Bless you x 100! This brings me more joy than the latest Specials 'live' album...although it'll be a close run thing I hope, hah-hah!

Thank you for not hesitating again. Becks ok for you?

Cheers,

Simon.

Hi Simon,

Becks is ok, thanks. she has just got back from portugal and thats just after two weeks in Florida, not too bad eh

Trust you keeping ok?

Hello,

Definitely a shameless plug and a big hello from Auron! Day 6 and still we climb...ouch.

Today I wore Stones...



And I really am shattered!

Cheers,

Simon.

Keep right on,Simon.

Keep us updated.

Great outfit Simon

Keep On Rolling

Hello,

OK, we are now giving ourselves a beasting in The Pyrenees: this is from earlier today atop Col du Tourmalet...as usual, the Stones cycling jersey brings a few favourable coments. Not about me, obviously!



If you have 10 minutes that you'll never need again please have a look at my blog:

[rdmh2012.blogspot.co.uk]

The fundraising is coming along (Leukaemia & Lymphoma at £2200, and the Air Ambulance at £1200) but it could alwas use another couple of shekels, if you can spare them.

- To help Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research please visit [www.justgiving.com]

- To keep the North West Air Ambulance flying please click on [www.justgiving.com]

Whatever you are doing this week- have a great one!

Cheers,

Simon.

Hello,

Two items of good news:

1) We only went and did it, which means

2) No more begging posts like this one!

The final ascent was the Col de Chioula on Friday...I had nothing left in the tank.



Saw this in the Hard Rock Cafe in Barcelona earlier today!



Have a look at my blog for the rest of the rubbish! A very big thank you to all those IORRians who dug deep yet again...very much appreciated.

All the best,

Simon.

I think it's WONDERFUL that you are so committed to a very important cause, Simon.
May your energy never dwindle.

I'll try to help, too.