Hi,

Flying on Thursday (manchester - Zurich - Los angeles), not long now.

Did a good 85 miles last Thursday and a steady 40 miles on Saturday with Danny.

The training advice is to "taper train" over the last week. This is essentially not do much. I seem to be finding that no problem.

Cleaned and packed up the bike today ready to go on the plane with me. Fitted in the box fine, hopefully well padded and ready for me to assemble on Friday morning for a quick ride down to the beach.

MS fund raising page has been brought up to date and I will post some more donations of tomorrow which will bring the total received so far at £3,727. I feel sure that with some promises that it will make £4,000 which is amazing. Thank you all so much, it really will make a difference.

The group of 22 riders have been exchanging emails and I feel sure we will have some great fun. If you have a couple of minutes you might want to watch Larry's you tube fundraiser  , clearly a great character.

I have added the ability for you to post comments on my blogs, following a request. I look forward to receiving them.

Next blog post from Los Angeles.

Thanks

Tony

Less than two weeks to go, so another update

Yesterday was 60 miles of wet, wet cycling up in the North Wales hills with Chester Easyriders. A good day though and felt good at the end. This was followed by one of my regular monthly massages by Tom. If you live near Chester and want a sports massage Tom is the man.

I had a dummy packing session to make sure I can get all my gear together into the bags provided and below the weight restrictions. There is an emphasis by the group running the trip to minimise what you take which I suppose makes sense.

The bike is going well, I have had to renew a few items. There are some spare spokes for the wheels down the seat tube. I have fitted Scwalbe Marathon plus tyres which are supposed to be puncture proof, we will see. I am taking a spare tyre with me as the rear tyre will probably be worn out before the end of the ride. Thanks to Keith at Eureka Cycles for all his help and advice. If you are around Chester and want some bike stuff call in and see Keith at Eureka Cycles near the Mollington Banastre Hotel.

Now to fundraising.

Had an interview from Rev Sarah Simpson in church service on sunday which was fantastic and lots of interest and sponsorship. Thanks to girls brigade for their sponsorship.

 I was very kindly given some England Football kit to sell and put towards my sponsorship. There were 33 items which all went on ebay and after commission has raised £465. The dining room looked like Amazon despatch depot for a day as Heather and I processed all the parcels, labels etc. Then trips to the post office.  This was well worth the effort. The total at the moment stands at £3,277 which is only £138 below my target. I also know there is some more on the way. It would be fantastic to be at target before I go. My MS giving site shows a much lower figure however they take some time to update things.  Many thanks to every one who has supported me, my expectations have been  significantly exceeded.

The plan over the remaining twelve days is more cycling, nothing excessive just 60 to 70 mile trips around the local area, a couple of running days and around three or four sessions at the gym with a focus on core strength to minimise lower back and shoulder pains.

I have been asked, will I be posting a blog each day of the ride? I plan to do that dependant upon availability of wi-fi. I am taking camera and iPad so the plan is to brighten up my words with some pictures and just keep everyone updated.

Thanks for your interest and  following the blog.

Hi,

Well three weeks today I will be on my way to Los Angeles.

First an update on my fundraising. The MS Society now have £2,388 towards my target of £3,415. This is really amazing and I feel that my fundraising target is achievable. It would be great knowing that each mile I cycle will raise a pound towards MS.

A number of people have asked me to give some more info on my preparations.  Essentially this is getting out on the bike as much as possible. I have been riding with Chester Easy Riders which has been great. I have also been going out myself. On Sunday I did the Mercia Sportive with my youngest son Dan. This was 94 miles around Telford, Ironbridge etc. I have also been getting a decent run in each week to try and balance muscle usage. I aim to visit the gym two or three times a week doing weight work. I have been focussing on core muscles, with the aim of reducing lower back issues.

I have invested in a Brooks saddle which is used by many long distance cyclists. So far I have had no problems in that area. As part of my work leaving present I was provided with some century cream. So hopefully no problems.

Generally I am feeling good. three pounds in weight to reduce to my target weight before I leave. I feel pretty well prepared. My main concerns are dealing with the heat in the desert and the Rockies.

I am receiving regular information from Crossroads cycling who are organising the trip. There will be 22 of us riding, Three from the UK, two canadians and the remainder from the USA.  As you might imagine from the photos they all look amazingly fit.

I am having a practice packing session next week in order to ensure I can get all my kit in two small bags and weighing less than 30lbs.

Just posted cheques off to the MS Society for £695 making a current total of £1545. This is money received. numerous other promises of sponsorship. Thanks to everyone.

It would be great encouragement for the tough parts of the ride to know each mile is raising £1 for MS.

Training going reasonably well, although not enough exercise this week to much DIY!

5 pounds of weight to loose before I go.

I will be sending out emails to friends who may not know about the ride next week, so hopefully some more sponsorship will be on its way.

Two months to go. Sponsorship page has £730 already. I have £80 to send in and promises of more.

I am really pleased with this as I have not really fully started sponsorship  requests fully yet.

Many thanks to all who have sponsored me. I really appreciate your support.

Weight coming down having lost 13lbs since Christmas. At least another 7lbs to go before I am happy with my weight.

Chester Chronicle to interview and put article in local paper.

Exercising reasonably well with cycling, running and Gym.  Always could do more though.