35% off: Happy Mother's Day!
5 days ago
Mission Statement
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
Gallery is Now Live
I have eventually got all the pictures uploaded. Click on the link below to access the gallery.
If your not a member of facebook then you can view the gallery on picasa
(picasa has mixed up the order of the pictures and for some reason the quality has lowered)
Friday, 6 August 2010
DAY 4 Bath to Hookway THE FINAL PUSH
After spending the night working out an alternative route to Hookway I was ready for the last push. My mood had lifted and I was ready, although I was a little nervous about the busy roads that I would have to take to ensure I hit Hookway today.
The roads were kind to start with, a nice down hill through Bath, but before long the dreaded hills made an unwanted appearance, my legs were stiff, i checked my breaks on a number of occasions as i was sure they were sticking. As it happens it was just my legs, I hurt, I pushed through the pain by singing at the top of my lungs. passing cars with their windows down laughed as they over took me but I did not care!!!! "MUSTANG SALLY!!!!! BETTER NOT SLOW THAT MUSTANG DOWN!!!!!
You get the picture... Out of Bath I had a climb of 16 miles that started at 59 ft and over the 16 miles went up to 855 ft.
But as you can see what goes up, MUST COME DOWN!!! Weeeeeeeeeeeee
I smiled from ear to ear once I saw the incline into Wells, a rest, I'm nearly there... 37 mph down hill in between cars was a little scary but thankfully the speed limit went down to 30 so the cars slowed and more importantly so did my bike. Wells was a lovely town but I could not stop to sightsee, a steady down hill ride to the outskirts of Glastonbury led to a small climb of 255 ft, an easy challenge in comparison to earlier 1000+ ft climbs. Glastonbury was a stopping place for dinner, tempted by the amenities Glastonbury had to offer I needed to make headway so I was soon back on the road.
Loosing the support team in Glastonbury I headed off to Taunton crossing a roundabout I had my first near miss, a driver took it upon them self to read my mind and decide that I was going to take the first exit on the roundabout that led to the M5!!! M5 im on a bloody bike!!! luckily she/he (never saw a face) stopped just at the point of bumping my rear tire, I wobbled a bit but continued on, a little shook. With this in the back of my mind I was not concentrating as a few hills snook up on me slowing me down but nothing compared to a short cut Adam made for me...
The A35 was a busy road so in his wisdom Adam sent me down a back road / lane.
Uphill, uneven roads, NOT GOOD!!! I heard Adam laughing away to himself as he hung out of the car window to take pictures of me in pain. Karma came back around though and bit him in the backside as the road thinned out and my Dad drove him into a hedge full of nettles.... lol. 16 miles of hills on this road took its toll and meters from the summit i was forced off of the bike and had to push it the last few meters.
A nice 8 miles down hill followed towards Crediton, all i kept thinking was "what goes up must come down" so "what goes down surely must go back up"...
I passed my Dad who was parked on the road side with a map, "Come on son, its all down hill from here", he could see from my face that I was tired, mentally and physically.
And true to my fears at only 12 miles from my destination as I came around a tree line. HILLS!!!
A final climb of 800 ft.... Arrrrrgh!!! I could have cried, they never seemed to stop, 5 mph was my top speed in my lowest gear.
So tired, battery on gps low I stopped at Crediton. I was only 2 miles off of my target but had to stop, a quick pit stop to refuel in a local Wetherspoons, pick up the local paper as I heard a rumour that i was on page 3 then I was back on the bike.
A final push, to the finish...
A HUGE grin on my face, bouncing on the bike I crossed the line. Hookway is not a village as such, its a street with 4 houses on it. BUT WHO CARES!!!! I had made it, a lap of honour up and down the 300 meters of Hookway and i pulled up at the sign "Hookway please drive slowly", lifting the bike above my head an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment came over me. I WAS HERE! HOOKWAY WAS IN HOOKWAY!!!! COME ONNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!
It had been an hard slog, mentally, emotionally and physically draining. 300 miles of mixed roads, some of which i'd have been better off with a mountain bike. I started training in April (this year) but as you all know was involved in an accident stopping me training for a month. So with only 2 months of training I had completed my challenge. In the back of my head I had wanted to cycle back but there was no way I would have been able to (maybe next time I said to my self).
distance = 300 and a bit miles
time = 4 days
total elevation = TBA
punctures = 1
falls = 1
Big Thank you to Vicky (my chiropractor) for all her hard work and advice, without her I dont think my body would have made it.
Thank you to everyone at Action for Children and The Meadows for welcoming us into your project and giving me the inspiration to complete the tougher days riding.
My wife children and family for supporting me since May when I first started planning this ride right until today. I am so lucky to have you all in my life, thank you. x
My support crew, Dad (Gary) and Brother (Adam), would have got there quicker without your poor sense of direction and with out anything getting broken (Adam). But seriously THANK YOU, your support was fantastic. You were there on the corners and hills that mattered.
And last but by no means least, Aaron, Richard and Neil for joining me on the start of my trip and to ALL of you out there that sent texts, phoned, tweeted and facebooked me with messages of support and encouragement, every time my phone went off while riding it gave me that extra boost. THANK YOU for all of your donations to Action for Children, we are still adding up the collections so I will post the final amount raised as soon as I know but so far we are looking at the £700 mark. So if you have not already donated then please do so at:
http://www.justgiving.com/Martin-Hookway
to see the actual route click here
THANK YOU
Martin
End to End next year anyone?
The roads were kind to start with, a nice down hill through Bath, but before long the dreaded hills made an unwanted appearance, my legs were stiff, i checked my breaks on a number of occasions as i was sure they were sticking. As it happens it was just my legs, I hurt, I pushed through the pain by singing at the top of my lungs. passing cars with their windows down laughed as they over took me but I did not care!!!! "MUSTANG SALLY!!!!! BETTER NOT SLOW THAT MUSTANG DOWN!!!!!
You get the picture... Out of Bath I had a climb of 16 miles that started at 59 ft and over the 16 miles went up to 855 ft.
 |
| Green line = hills / Blue = Speed |
 |
| Top speed 37.9 mph down hill with brakes |
Loosing the support team in Glastonbury I headed off to Taunton crossing a roundabout I had my first near miss, a driver took it upon them self to read my mind and decide that I was going to take the first exit on the roundabout that led to the M5!!! M5 im on a bloody bike!!! luckily she/he (never saw a face) stopped just at the point of bumping my rear tire, I wobbled a bit but continued on, a little shook. With this in the back of my mind I was not concentrating as a few hills snook up on me slowing me down but nothing compared to a short cut Adam made for me...
 |
| Add caption |
The A35 was a busy road so in his wisdom Adam sent me down a back road / lane.
 |
| If Carlsberg did roads, this would not be one of them |
Uphill, uneven roads, NOT GOOD!!! I heard Adam laughing away to himself as he hung out of the car window to take pictures of me in pain. Karma came back around though and bit him in the backside as the road thinned out and my Dad drove him into a hedge full of nettles.... lol. 16 miles of hills on this road took its toll and meters from the summit i was forced off of the bike and had to push it the last few meters.
A nice 8 miles down hill followed towards Crediton, all i kept thinking was "what goes up must come down" so "what goes down surely must go back up"...
I passed my Dad who was parked on the road side with a map, "Come on son, its all down hill from here", he could see from my face that I was tired, mentally and physically.
And true to my fears at only 12 miles from my destination as I came around a tree line. HILLS!!!
A final climb of 800 ft.... Arrrrrgh!!! I could have cried, they never seemed to stop, 5 mph was my top speed in my lowest gear.
So tired, battery on gps low I stopped at Crediton. I was only 2 miles off of my target but had to stop, a quick pit stop to refuel in a local Wetherspoons, pick up the local paper as I heard a rumour that i was on page 3 then I was back on the bike.
A final push, to the finish...
It had been an hard slog, mentally, emotionally and physically draining. 300 miles of mixed roads, some of which i'd have been better off with a mountain bike. I started training in April (this year) but as you all know was involved in an accident stopping me training for a month. So with only 2 months of training I had completed my challenge. In the back of my head I had wanted to cycle back but there was no way I would have been able to (maybe next time I said to my self).
distance = 300 and a bit miles
time = 4 days
total elevation = TBA
punctures = 1
falls = 1
Big Thank you to Vicky (my chiropractor) for all her hard work and advice, without her I dont think my body would have made it.
Thank you to everyone at Action for Children and The Meadows for welcoming us into your project and giving me the inspiration to complete the tougher days riding.
My wife children and family for supporting me since May when I first started planning this ride right until today. I am so lucky to have you all in my life, thank you. x
My support crew, Dad (Gary) and Brother (Adam), would have got there quicker without your poor sense of direction and with out anything getting broken (Adam). But seriously THANK YOU, your support was fantastic. You were there on the corners and hills that mattered.
And last but by no means least, Aaron, Richard and Neil for joining me on the start of my trip and to ALL of you out there that sent texts, phoned, tweeted and facebooked me with messages of support and encouragement, every time my phone went off while riding it gave me that extra boost. THANK YOU for all of your donations to Action for Children, we are still adding up the collections so I will post the final amount raised as soon as I know but so far we are looking at the £700 mark. So if you have not already donated then please do so at:
http://www.justgiving.com/Martin-Hookway
to see the actual route click here
THANK YOU
Martin
 |
| fin... |
 |
| The Bus on Dartmoor |
End to End next year anyone?
DAY 3 Cirencester to Bath
A morning that started with the first injury of the trip, No not me, Adam only went and pulled his back trying to get into the car. Anyone would think navigating was a hard job! We drove to Stroud to visit The Meadows, an action for children project which provides short breaks for children and young people with disabilities welcomed us to visit the centre to see first hand where some of my fundraising money will go.
We were met by Trudy the manager of the project who showed us around, we met all the working staff and a couple of children who were attending the project for rest bite. Josh was a young boy who greeted us as we entered the living area. A very brave man who is unable to walk or talk communicated through movement and smiles. This brought everything together, a meaning behind this silly bike ride, I talked to Josh for a while explaining what I have been doing and what I intend to do showing him my bike. I must admit I felt emotional, these kids tug on the heart strings and the girls that worked there all deserve gold medals. I'm finding it hard to put into words how it made me feel, put it this way if I could have done anything to help any of these children I would have. I have 4 children of my own and could not help but think "what if". We stayed for a while but had to leave so as I could get onto the road, we said our goodbyes and got into the bus to drop me off at the point of pick up yesterday. Not much was said on the trip back to Cirencester, we were all in deep thought. Arriving 10 miles out of Cirencester I gear up, get back on the bike and tackle hills from the get go...
The Hill's were monsters! Relentless climbs, mile after mile, the thoughts of Josh and my own children kept me going but I started to hurt. I cycled hard right up to tea time, an afternoon of nothing but hills, an afternoon where I could have easily stopped for good. But i kept going, I hit a 14% incline which stopped me dead forcing me to un clip and bail off of the bike, pushing the last 100 meters was gut wrenching, I looked back and I could see the last few miles of constant hills from where I had just cycled, knowing I was over the worst I re mounted and pushed on towards Bath.
Only to be stopped just outside of Bath due to heavy traffic, 80 miles off of my destination, I was in a fowl mood!!! Tired, mentally and physically I was forced to call it a day. One day left and I still had 125 miles to the finish post. We went for tea in a pub then found some digs. After an Ice bath and a lengthy phone call home I started to pick up my spirits. I treated myself to a can of lager and we sat that night re planning the next days route. I hurt and fell to sleep with ice packs on my legs, back and neck... Not the best sleeping position.
For the actual route map click here
We were met by Trudy the manager of the project who showed us around, we met all the working staff and a couple of children who were attending the project for rest bite. Josh was a young boy who greeted us as we entered the living area. A very brave man who is unable to walk or talk communicated through movement and smiles. This brought everything together, a meaning behind this silly bike ride, I talked to Josh for a while explaining what I have been doing and what I intend to do showing him my bike. I must admit I felt emotional, these kids tug on the heart strings and the girls that worked there all deserve gold medals. I'm finding it hard to put into words how it made me feel, put it this way if I could have done anything to help any of these children I would have. I have 4 children of my own and could not help but think "what if". We stayed for a while but had to leave so as I could get onto the road, we said our goodbyes and got into the bus to drop me off at the point of pick up yesterday. Not much was said on the trip back to Cirencester, we were all in deep thought. Arriving 10 miles out of Cirencester I gear up, get back on the bike and tackle hills from the get go... |
| The white dot in right is road "near" the top of the hill |
Only to be stopped just outside of Bath due to heavy traffic, 80 miles off of my destination, I was in a fowl mood!!! Tired, mentally and physically I was forced to call it a day. One day left and I still had 125 miles to the finish post. We went for tea in a pub then found some digs. After an Ice bath and a lengthy phone call home I started to pick up my spirits. I treated myself to a can of lager and we sat that night re planning the next days route. I hurt and fell to sleep with ice packs on my legs, back and neck... Not the best sleeping position.
For the actual route map click here
Thursday, 5 August 2010
DAY 2 Nottingham to Cirencester
Day 2 started early with a ride directly through Nottingham City centre. The roads were clear so I made great time, stopping 10 miles out of Nottingham, in high spirits I started to play cat and mouse with the support bus, a decision I would later regret...
Further down the road I noticed I had got my first puncture so I got in the support vehicle and we went for breakfast.
Refuelled and rearing to go I set off to Leicester, the puncture and breakfast was to end up being a blessing in disguise as before long the flat(ish) surroundings turned into some good hills. The GPS started to play up and navigating Leicester turned out to be a nightmare adding an extra 10 miles to my route. Tired out dinner time came none too soon, pulling into a pub car park I had my first accident, forgetting to release my feet from my peddles I toppled over towards my Dad, who did what any caring Dad would do in this circumstance. Yep he shouted "wow", and stepped back letting me plant my knee into the tarmac. Cheers Dad...
As the day drew on the light depleted, I was behind my target so I kitted out in a high vis vest courtesy of North Lincs Council. A very fetching number than enabled me to continue to ride until I hit my target of 100 miles in one day.
Reflecting back on the day it was my longest day of riding, 100 hard miles but no where as near as hard as it was going to get....
Click her for a map of the actual route
Further down the road I noticed I had got my first puncture so I got in the support vehicle and we went for breakfast.
Refuelled and rearing to go I set off to Leicester, the puncture and breakfast was to end up being a blessing in disguise as before long the flat(ish) surroundings turned into some good hills. The GPS started to play up and navigating Leicester turned out to be a nightmare adding an extra 10 miles to my route. Tired out dinner time came none too soon, pulling into a pub car park I had my first accident, forgetting to release my feet from my peddles I toppled over towards my Dad, who did what any caring Dad would do in this circumstance. Yep he shouted "wow", and stepped back letting me plant my knee into the tarmac. Cheers Dad...
As the day drew on the light depleted, I was behind my target so I kitted out in a high vis vest courtesy of North Lincs Council. A very fetching number than enabled me to continue to ride until I hit my target of 100 miles in one day.
 |
| green line = hills / blue = my speed |
Reflecting back on the day it was my longest day of riding, 100 hard miles but no where as near as hard as it was going to get....
Click her for a map of the actual route
Monday, 2 August 2010
Problems on day 3!!
Due to laptop malfunction (Adam says it wasn't him) I am unable to update the diary, as soon as I can I will fill you in with all the details of the trip so far, in the meantime there will be updates via facebook and twitter. Thank you from a very tired Martin.
Saturday, 31 July 2010
Day 1 Moorends to Nottingham
I wont lie to you, I never slept much last night. Up at 7am I went for a go faster hair cut at Nice one John's, the good lad that he is donated my hair cut money plus a substantial amount extra towards my challenge, Cheers John your a star.
So before I knew it, it was time to pack the car and head down to the children's centre. As promised I waxed my legs in public, outside in front of the centre to be precise, for those of you that helped reach my pre ride target, for those of you that made me go through the pain... here it is:
I'd like to Thank everyone that turned up to see me off, the turnout was great even once the heavens opened.
After a couple of photo's by the press we were off, Thanks to Neil for fitting part of the ride to Clumber Park into his busy schedule and already only 1hr into this challenge, he placed the seed in my head for the next challenge. After Neil split from us it left Az and Woody to ride with me to Clumber Park. Thanks lads the company was greatly appreciated.
I left the lads at the park and set off to Nottingham "alone" its a good job the scenery was good as I was finding it hard setting off again without the backing of another rider. I put my head down and soldiered on, I put it down that much that I missed my turning and ended up adding another 10 miles onto my trip. The roads got heavy with traffic, the winds picked up and worst of all the hills were bigger than I has expected into Nottingham... Blowing a bit I had to give myself a goood talking to as each hill got bigger and the down hill started to get less. I called it a day just as I got into Nottingham and the traffic got thicker, I was tired and hungry so thought it better to end the day.
I got into the bus (support vehicle) and logged the pick up point so they can drop me off there tomorrow. My mate Spud pulled some strings and got us a house to stay in for the night. BIG THANKS to Brian Corbett an Interior Refurbishment Specialist for loaning us his empty house for the night. Not only that he left the broadband, cable and Tv in the house for us and gave us a good donation towards my cause, LEGEND!!!!!
After unloading the bus I ran myself an ice bath (DAM IT HURT) after squealing like a big girl I managed to stay in it for the longest 3 mins of my life. I phoned the wife and my girls then went out for tea.
So here I lay on my daughters pink camp bed after filling my face with pizza and having a well deserved beer. I can only have one as its my longest day tomorrow with the added pain of the last 20 miles the elevation goes NUTS!!! the climb at he ends takes me to altitudes of over 1000 ft I'm told, I darnt look.
Thank you to everyone that has donated today and to everyone that send me messages of support via text, twitter and facebook, I get the messages through my phone as you send them and although I don't reply due to riding please keep sending them as they help LOADS!!!! Time for me to log off and chill before bed, my legs are a bit sore, not sure if that because of the hills or waxing... Cheers Annie and Nichola (best Birthday prezzie by far for you, lol), you really have got your own back on me for those years of abuse. x
Goodnight All
MARTIN
Map of ride : CLICK HERE
So before I knew it, it was time to pack the car and head down to the children's centre. As promised I waxed my legs in public, outside in front of the centre to be precise, for those of you that helped reach my pre ride target, for those of you that made me go through the pain... here it is:
I'd like to Thank everyone that turned up to see me off, the turnout was great even once the heavens opened.
After a couple of photo's by the press we were off, Thanks to Neil for fitting part of the ride to Clumber Park into his busy schedule and already only 1hr into this challenge, he placed the seed in my head for the next challenge. After Neil split from us it left Az and Woody to ride with me to Clumber Park. Thanks lads the company was greatly appreciated.
 |
| rain rain go away |
I left the lads at the park and set off to Nottingham "alone" its a good job the scenery was good as I was finding it hard setting off again without the backing of another rider. I put my head down and soldiered on, I put it down that much that I missed my turning and ended up adding another 10 miles onto my trip. The roads got heavy with traffic, the winds picked up and worst of all the hills were bigger than I has expected into Nottingham... Blowing a bit I had to give myself a goood talking to as each hill got bigger and the down hill started to get less. I called it a day just as I got into Nottingham and the traffic got thicker, I was tired and hungry so thought it better to end the day.
 |
| The fun part of hills, weeeeeeeeee.... |
 |
| All by my self, finding the hills hard, big girl! |
I got into the bus (support vehicle) and logged the pick up point so they can drop me off there tomorrow. My mate Spud pulled some strings and got us a house to stay in for the night. BIG THANKS to Brian Corbett an Interior Refurbishment Specialist for loaning us his empty house for the night. Not only that he left the broadband, cable and Tv in the house for us and gave us a good donation towards my cause, LEGEND!!!!!
After unloading the bus I ran myself an ice bath (DAM IT HURT) after squealing like a big girl I managed to stay in it for the longest 3 mins of my life. I phoned the wife and my girls then went out for tea.
So here I lay on my daughters pink camp bed after filling my face with pizza and having a well deserved beer. I can only have one as its my longest day tomorrow with the added pain of the last 20 miles the elevation goes NUTS!!! the climb at he ends takes me to altitudes of over 1000 ft I'm told, I darnt look.
Thank you to everyone that has donated today and to everyone that send me messages of support via text, twitter and facebook, I get the messages through my phone as you send them and although I don't reply due to riding please keep sending them as they help LOADS!!!! Time for me to log off and chill before bed, my legs are a bit sore, not sure if that because of the hills or waxing... Cheers Annie and Nichola (best Birthday prezzie by far for you, lol), you really have got your own back on me for those years of abuse. x
Goodnight All
MARTIN
Map of ride : CLICK HERE
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