What's wrong with me?!

[NelsonP]

Have been reading this thread over the last couple of days. You are a legend Ross. Donation on the way.

[E65Ross]

NelsonP said:

Have been reading this thread over the last couple of days. You are a legend Ross. Donation on the way.

Big thank you!!

[masermartin]

So I'm wondering - impromptu PH meet up somewhere along the route to cheer Ross on?

[E65Ross]

masermartin said:

So I'm wondering - impromptu PH meet up somewhere along the route to cheer Ross on?

This is the route

http://www.ukcyclingevents.co.uk/maps/ukce-wss-meg...

I aim to start before 0830. I don't plan on stopping too long, there are food stops at 22, 44 and 54 miles....my plan is to miss the 1st 2 stops but stop myself around 27-28 miles, then again at the food stop at 54 miles before the finish. Still, if there are some PHers around I'll stop and say hi. Failing that, I could meet at the finish place.

[masermartin]

Excellent. So you would be planning to stop somewhere around, say, East Meon?

[E65Ross]

Just emptied collection tin at work again and it had a shade over £70 in there. Awesome!

masermartin said:

Excellent. So you would be planning to stop somewhere around, say, East Meon?

Probably a bit after that, as that's near the 30 mile mark for the epic ride but I think under 20 miles for the standard. I'll have a look tonight at the route and see what's what and where I plan to have a break.

It would probably be best to meet up after the event if you wanted.... As I usually don't like stopping too long during a ride as my legs seize up a bit, and wouldn't want you to drive out there for just a 5min chat. I'll be stopping at the 3rd food station so that's an option as well as the finish point. Can swap contact details easily enough if you did want to meet up for a bit

Ross

[cat220]

All the best Ross, hope it goes well!

Cheers,
C

[E65Ross]

cat220 said:

All the best Ross, hope it goes well!

Cheers,
C

Thanks Chris.... And for the donation too!

[E65Ross]

masermartin - just looked at the route, and yes....East Meon looks like a place I'll be taking my 1st pit stop....so that is an option, but if you wanted to stop for a longer chat then probably best to meet at the end in the car park. If you PM me your number I could always text you when I'm at the final feed station to confirm what sort of time I'll be back if you do want to pop along. If not, no worries....appreciate this would be right in the middle of the afternoon!

Just transferred £70.31 into the charity bank account and now the total stands at £6656

Someone I know has said that in the middle to tail-end of next week they'll be making a fairly hefty donation as well The page stays live for 3 months after the event.

What a crazy amount of money that's been raised! Absolutely mind-boggling. I really mean it when I don't know how to thank you all enough! It's been so humbling. What I went through at the end of last year and the beginning of this year was a bit rubbish but at least something really positive has come out of it. I also hope that my story can be seen as a positive one, and that it can give some hope to others about to experience something similar. And how incredible, also, that both my surgeons have been in regular contact with me. It has made me feel like a person, not an NHS number.

I asked the charity where the money would go and this was the reply:

"The money you have raised is an incredible amount. This is what our fundraising money goes to:

£1,000 enables us to put on a Support and Information Day to extend help to more patients and families and support them in coming to terms with the devastating repercussions of a brain tumour diagnosis.

£5,000 covers the cost of a whole year of meetings for one of our regional support Groups, giving a lifeline to brain tumour patients and their families and friends.

£10,000 would pay for a trained Brain Tumour Support counsellor to work one to one with adults, young people and children for a year.

I hope that is of some help Ross.

Thanks again. We can't wait to hear all about it. I hope you get to rest up for a few days before the race. Take care."

So you can see the amount will make quite a difference.

Ross

[masermartin]

I won't be able to make the finish, I'm afraid, but I'll try to be in East Meon (near the school looks like the most sensible place to park, because many of those roads are VERY narrow!) to cheer you on! (Don't worry, it's a nice drive there and back ) I'll aim to be there about 09:45 onwards for an hour or so, if you're starting at 08:30 then I guess you'll be through there sometime in that 09:45-10:45 time frame?

Allez Ross

Edited by masermartin on Friday 24th July 17:29

[E65Ross]

masermartin said:

I won't be able to make the finish, I'm afraid, but I'll try to be in East Meon (near the school looks like the most sensible place to park, because many of those roads are VERY narrow!) to cheer you on! (Don't worry, it's a nice drive there and back ) I'll aim to be there about 09:45 onwards for an hour or so, if you're starting at 08:30 then I guess you'll be through there sometime in that 09:45-10:45 time frame?

Allez Ross

Edited by masermartin on Friday 24th July 17:29

I've just had a look on street view and on the road by the school there's a bus stop, right opposite a road called hill view, that looks like an ideal place to have a short break!

Even if I start as early as possible (0815) I'd be looking at around 10am, give or take 10-15mins here or there so your times would be perfect. Both myself and my mate will be wearing a brain tumour support jersey....



See you tomorrow then

I'll be there scoffing my roll and an energy bar

[Tyre Tread]

Best of luck Ross - not that you need it!

[rovermorris999]

I'm tired just thinking about it. Good luck Ross.

[E65Ross]

Thanks chaps.

I just hope it's not too wet.... Less grip and poor brakes aren't a good recipe!

Early start, getting picked up from my house at 0650. That'll be a shock to the system! I'll be sure to post tomorrow! I should be able to get my garmin data up pretty quickly for you.

I'm not really going to specifically try and smash it for a good time.... Number 1 priority is to get round and enjoy it. I'll take it pretty easy to the 1st stop point and see how I feel from there.

All set now, drinks and food all made up etc

[E65Ross]

All done and about to get home. Went really well aside my friend getting a puncture 40 miles in..... And going to pump up the tyre to find the innertube faulty!

Otherwise really good. Moving speed was 16.3mph on a tough course.... Lots of downhill sections ended with junctions so had to use the brakes a lot which doesn't help your speed!

I'll upload my garmin data later and, if I get the chance, I'll upload a couple of pics. Didn't get many (and none during the ride) but there were loads of photographers there so I'll get a couple within a week or so!

Nice to meet masermartin as well, albeit only briefly. Loved the noise of the alfa as you drive past!

[ali_kat]

Well done

[E65Ross]

Here's the garmin data chaps!

https://connect.garmin.com/activity/843918792
We lost about 30mins or so when my friend changed a puncture..... Other than that we stopped for about 5mins after 26 miles where we met masermartin, and I stopped again for 5-10mins at 52 miles.

Really enjoyed it and mentally it's great.... It means so much to me that I'm able to do that. 7 months ago I was learning how to walk again and was bricking it I would almost be a vegetable.

Thank you SO much to every single one of you for your monumental support. As already mentioned, despite the topic of this being not so great.... This thread has surely got to be one of the most positive of all threads on pistonheads.

Will get some pics up when I get them and will let you know how my hospital appointment goes on Monday.

Annoying I can't drive yet I'm fine to ride 74 miles on the road....

[rovermorris999]

Well done Ross. Here's to the next one.

[Geoff Stilwell]

Brilliant Ross. well done. So fingers crossed they will give you your licence back soon. Again, well done.

[rolando]

Brilliant and well done Ross!