New bike new bike new bike

It feels different, it rides different - it is different. Is it easier? It might be when I get used to it. Tonight I have Paul Stone & Marc Le Sueur (builder of the new Esprit Bike) for company. Get Marc to build you a bike - he's good at it!

Have just ridden too hard on too little fuel - feeling flakey and a tad more nervous than normal.

Hmmm!

6 days and counting - the money

Ah! What lovely people there are... George & Jean Baird,  Andrew Le Brun, the Pinel's and the Le Gresely's - thank you you are the latest to donate to the cycle challenge sponsorship. I have this idea of only having friends on facebook who sponsor me - is that mean?

Anyway, the money is coming in - always slower than you think... but the is a trickle, which is better than a droplet!

Also the bike is ready - well the new wheels go on later... when the new tyres arrive and my first ride on it is tonight... scary but exciting - Huge thanks to Marc Le Sueur for making this happen along with top support from Nick at Boudin Bikes in Sand Street - their sale of cycle shoes is amazing - get down there now!

Only six days til it starts and some support from those who heard me on Peter Mac's show on 103 is warming things up nicely. Keep it coming folks and if you haven't supported me with a sponsorship email me, text me or drop into Murray's and part with a bit of dosh - thanks

Murray

Getting a response from those who care.

Asking people for money is a difficult thing for some and no matter how many thousands of times I've done that, it still is something not dissimilar to going out on stage, radio or TV. It's the getting started, the first line of your speech, gag or script, that is the toughest. After that you forget your self conscious worries and get stuck in.

So, whilst I'm in the flow, please give me some sponsor money - it's going to be divided up between 10 very good local charities so get in touch, pop down to Murray's or post me a cheque made out to Murray's 10 Charity Challenge andpost it to Norton House, St Aubin JE3 8BZ

Do it now, you'll feel better for doing it I promise.

Yesterday I received cheques of £300, £100 pounds and wait for it a cheque for £3000 - yup that's right people and mighty big fat £3k! I was as amazed as you probably are. He still paid for his breakfast at Murray's too!

No surprisingly after those shows of faith and support for what I'm trying to do, training went well yesterday. Paul Stone is my training guru and we really appeared to fly some roads and although the uphill bits were obviously slower, there is now no hill that has not been done - just not altogether yet! Paul is a top bloke and my kind of coach - thanks mate!

I've decided to take two weeks off working in the restaurant now - just so I can train, rest and train again in the run up to the ride starting on the 6th October. Thank god for a partner like Anna, who is running everything and working such long hours in covering everything at the restaurant.

The energy bars and drinks are being consumed. Thanks to Randall's who sent a case of energy drinks with an order this morning -the invoice read "Ref Murray's 10cc - Good luck Murray's". Top people them lot - thanks.

Right time for me to ride again and time for you to give a little something - if you all do a little, it'll make a lot - but don't let me stop you doing a lot!

Thank you

Murray

Jerez to Jersey

Three days off -well, let me re-phrase that - 3 days 'working' in the very un-glamourous world of TV is not good for bike training. Went to do a show in Jerez Southern bit of Spain on Weds travelling Jersey-Guernsey-Stansted-Jerez, Late arrival followed by a delicious, but not good for you, dinner.

Thursday to the Harvey's Sherry/Fundador Brandy bodegas to do the show all about Whiskey - they use old Sherry barrels to mature some whiskey to give it a sweeter amber colour and taste don't you know - and for the only day we needed to film a live show, it rained. Not much but enough to move from the courtyard to undercover. So Sat truck, miles of cables, 6 cameras with 6 Spanish cameramen, a cast of 60, plus floor managers, producer, director and a healthy collection of PR people. So enough to keep them setting up and having dramas all day. I keep unusually  quiet at such times, mostly because they all know what they are doing and it takes 14-16 hours for them from set up to de-rig, as opposed to me and my 40 minutes live.

After show parties are for everyone to congratulate everyone else on how marvellous they were - and to be fair they were all truly marvellous at there particular roles, even the audience. This then splinters off into another party for the individual groups, so whilst the PR types congregate, the crew de-rig and me and the director find a bar to sup beer and praise ourselves. Paul (the director) & I understand each other well enough after 4 live shows to know when we need to have a quiet moment.

Later the rest catch us up in the bar and much drinking was being done into the wee hours under warm Spanish skies.

Friday is good-bye time as this family of talents says adios until the next time we work together and I fly to Madrid, to pick up an Easyjet flight to London, so that I can get to Jersey with Flybe. The 1725 departure out of Madrid, after three gate changes that have you scurrying around the airport left at 2240, an uncomfortable 5 and a quarter hours late. Another hotel night in Gatwick then, followed by the early 0730 flight to Jersey this morning - Saturday.
So, plenty of eating, drinking and waiting in airports, not much, if fact let's be honest - no bike training and today must be a sleep catch up before the talk is back to bikes and aching limbs. To help me sleep, the knowledge that in 12 days time I must be fitter and leaner than it appears possible to be.

Maybe I can sleep myself thinner and fitter?
Keep the support coming, leave comments and remember to use Coop share number 12 for the charity.

Murray

A good night with the Guv!

The official reception at Government House was an excellent evening, bringing together most of those involved in the running of the challenge, the charities themselves and of course its patron His Excellency & Mrs Ridgway, whose support and hosting was most appreciated by all.
Good to meet up with the people behind charities, which is always good for inspiring you on and good to get together with the team.
Which reminds me - that team:
Kenan MT Osborne - Chief of Operations and probably the best project manager in the world
PS it's Paul Stone - cycling coach, brussels sprout eater known as poo-pants!
Kieron 008 Strecker - He's a treasure. Sorry Treasurer of Murray's 10cc
Rob 'the techie' Milburn is the web designer of www.murrays10cc.com (coming soon), known to flounce out of pubs for being called a techie.
Allan Watts The PR/media/guru
Marc Le Sueur - Building the new bike and posing for pictures in Gallery Mag without a name check
Nick Thomas - Boudins for Bikes - kit suppliers, energy food suppliers, mechanic back up & nice bloke

That's the team - Lucky me!

For those who came to the reception - thank you, for those who were not invited - it was limited numbers and I do love you and do need your support, but blame those who were invited and didn't show!

Right off to Spain to be a TV lurrvvie for a couple of days, The show is all about Whiskey and Sherry barrels - live online at 8pm on Thursday night on www.studiotalk.tv

See you Saturday outside St Peter's Grande Marche when I'll be back on the bike training and fund raising

Murray

Logos & Glamour

It's a day of sunshine and wanting to be on the bike, but...

It's also a day of getting the sponsors & charities onto the cycle shirts - one slip with that iron and the whole lot - & the very expensive new cycle shirt - is a gonna! It gets more pressurised with every addition. Plus new cycle shoes to fit SPD's to and a new helmet with logos of another sponsor being done as we speak. I'm so not a detail person and I don't like this faffing about.

Tonight Govt House reception.
Tomorrow travel to Spain via Gurnsey & Stansted!
Thursday do live online TV show in Jerez
Friday fly Jerez-Madrid-Gatwick-Jersey
Saturday on a static bike outside the Coop St Peters - oh the glamour of it all.

A lesson in how hard this is...

Sunday 19th Sept. -

A perfect day and one just made for a nice cycle around Jersey and with cycle trainer Paul Stone we set off St Aubin - Gorey - St Catherines - Flicquet - Rozel - Bouley Bay - Bonne Nuit Bay - St John - St Mary - St Peter - St Aubin. It wasn't the full circuit and we did stop in Gorey and for tea at the bottom of Bouley Bay, but a four hour peddle including the stops, that reminded me what this is going to be like - hell!

The weather , no doubt form the 6th -10th Oct will be more testing and there will be another hour and a half of cycling added to make a full circuit. Then of course - I will have to go again, doing another full circuit before the end of the day. Hmmmm this is not nice.

In a car you will drive Jersey at a gentle pace in under two hours.
On an Itex walk in 10-12 hours
On a bike, as a non cyclist - like me in - in 5 hours. I reckon I'm not exaggerating when I say that 2 or three times round on a bike is equal to once on foot 4-5mph walking and 8-10 mph average riding.
On those thoughts doing 2 times on a bike every day for 5 days is akin to doing 4 to 5 Itex walks one day after another.

Now I'm worried all right. One for the body, but more so on the fear that I don't want to do this for meagre sponsorship. Knowing the pain, it's difficult to get the message over, this is not a sponsored silence/sit in a bath of beans/have you legs waxed affair. There is a no hiding place and a tough ask of a fit keen cyclist - let alone an unfit fifty something short arsed fella who actually doesn't really do any cycling.

Interesting times. Halfway up Bouley Bay, all I could think of was Geldof on telly during live aid, and although. an untrue myth that he said these words "give me the F*****g money" ran through my mind.

Murray

Four hours going nowhere

Sunday 11.50.

My first thanks of the day goes to... my comfy office chair, your padding is a delight! Especially after a 4 hour stint of cycling, whilst going nowhere. 

My second thanks of the day are to Lee for the use of his static bike trainer - brilliant portable piece of kit that means you put your bike into this raised frame, adjust the resistance and cycle/train/warm up in one place. Excellent, I would imagine for watching the telly and riding, or in my case, with sponsoring glass jars and the St Aubin Craft Market. A fine day and with the leaflets on the table a super £174.00 raised on on it's way into the bank account. Being able to train and raise money whilst doing it is cool and I now need other venues in the next few weeks to do this. The Airport and M&S comes to mind.

Third on the list of thanks, the Coop, who have put £250 in the pot and given Murray's10cc a share number, so every time you use the Coop for anything, say SHARE NUMBER 12 - that way the 4p in the pound goes to the charity. If everyone does it... well you know. 

Fourth, the lovely Jimmy Mac and Sapphire Bedrooms, who sent me a cheque for £100. Cool. Now if everybody did that... well you know (it's not going to happen).

However Acorn Finance have given me a very uber cool £1000! so anything is possbile - Thanks

And thanks to everyone for reading, supporting and giving. I've only got until next June to constantly be raising money, so I'm getting the thanks in early, before I wear you down with fund raising ideas!

It's a training day on Bouley Bay & Boone Nuit Bay today, anybody got a soft ring shaped cushion?

Murray

Oh and thank you BBC Jersey

I was on this morning at 8.30 am - Nice one BBC for letting me on air

Paperwork schmaper-work!

With a reception looming at Government house next Tuesday for the 10 Charity Challenge crew, sponsors and charities. That means checking the guest list, writing the briefs for the speeches,mine and the other fella's and all the other bits that seem to take forever. Organising the banks to let us take credit card donations online, writing off for permission for golf days, raffles, cake baking in the bank, (not to mention), so I will, the logos to be requested from the sponsors, so they will feature on the website (that I have not written the content for) and on the cycle shirts, that I have not sourced yet, let alone printed.  A text number that people donate to us by texting them and a Coop share number for charity may sound simple, but you have no idea how many emails, and still I am no further with either of them. Ho-hum!

A good short sharp training ride last with Paul Stone felt good as a way of him measuring how much more I have to do. Plenty is the answer to that one. That will include a stint at the Craft Market in St Aubin & Coop St Peters on Saturday afternoon on my static bike with sponsor forms on the table and a bucket in front of me (for the money, not to chuck up in!). Sunday it's a big ride with Paul again. Monday I might do some work, Tuesday is a static bike at Grande Marche St Helier, followed by the that reception at Govt House then Wednesday morning Jersey-Guernsey-Stansted-Jerez to do a TV show on A taste of Scotland, with a flavour of Spain, http://www.studiotalk.tv/show/a_taste_of_scotland_with_a_flavour_of_spain returning of Friday night.

Life is an experience worth having.

New sponsor, talks and thieves!

The good news is that we now have a good collection of sponsors coming forward which is filling up the spaces on the shirt and helmet, just the shorts to go then! Acorn Finance have confirmed that they wish to sponsor the main front chest on the cycle shirt, for which we are extremely grateful. Letto & Sons Jewellers on Charing Cross have also come on board. Better get those shirts printed soon.

Had a fun time with the Probus Club (retired professional businessmen), giving the after dinner talk on Wednesday afternoon - mostly about the forthcoming ride, not surprisingly. Those who were awake by the end of the talk, put a few £10 notes on the sponsor forms, which was nice.

This cheered me up, after a rude awakening at Murray's - the restaurant in St Aubin, as if you didn't know - at 8am to the report of a break in. £350 in petty cash, an ipod and a whole collection of various bottles of spirits disappeared.

Such are the highs and lows of life I suppose. A good ride on the bike should shake off the outrage I feel inside.

Murray

A weekend worth of support

After a great week fund raising, it was good to get back in the saddle and do some cycling again. Saturday mornings 3 hour ride took in most areas of the island without following the course in and out of the bays. Surprisingly, it felt good, although by Sunday night the legs were slightly heavy. The sponsor forms are now in Murray's in St.Aubin and slowly some sponsor money is coming in, so if you are in the area - pop in and pay there!

It is all starting to get serious now and I do have moments of complete nerves where I wonder what I started... but then somebody lends their support and encouragement and you don't feel so alone about the whole thing. The website is only a day or two away, which will be like a light switching on, highlighting the whole thing - soon the better!

Now that was a great day!

Those days when everything is going well, I guess we must enjoy them and remember them when things are falling apart. Part of the balancing act I suppose. Anyway - Today - how cool was it? Firstly, back on the bike - it had been a while and I was really up for it, so a quick burn up some hills then, a ride into town to do some business.
First, Acorn Finance, for a chat. An they are pledging money to the Challenge - Thanks David. Depending on the sum, we might get a logo on the shirt or shorts or helmet

Second, A sponsorship for to do the rounds at LloydsTSB Broad Street. The bad news is there are lots of forms in the offices right now as the Jersey Marathon is on the week before my challenge! But we live in hope.

Thirdly, those lovely people at Letto's the Jewellers. A stonking £500 from Colin Letto - cool! His company gets a logo on the shirt.

JerseyGas - popped in as they were sponsors of a previous challenge I did - I wait to hear more next week - damn those pesky weekends for getting in the way of business.

Channel 103fm - Chris Halford suggests i do some updates during the ride and we could do some links for the websites - their's to ours! Hurrah! Fiona & Kirsty will sponsor and check a few people they know to fill the forms I left - Hurrah hurrah!

Jim Plumley at the Coop, gets a mention, as he has arranged for me to be outside Grande Marche Supermarket in St Peters on Saturday 18th Sept on a static bike, then outside the St Helier Grand Marche on Tuesday 21st Sept and again on the Tuesday 28th Sept  back at St Peters. Hopefully the shoppers will be generous.

Topping it all, one of my best mates gets in touch. Rob, mate you are an inspiration and a friend, thanks for the donation.

On to the weekend, riding and fund raising all the way.

Thanks for reading - do leave your comments, Murray

Donations, raffles and on the bike

Every day is a day that is ticking from morning to night right now. The cycle ride is the most pressing subject on my mind, with routes to sort out and training to be done every day. My mind keeps breaking down the target and plays maths games of "if every person I know gives a fiver...." I've still got some good fund raising ideas up my sleeve, so today is a cycling, planning and doing day where I'm going to knock on some doors for some money. I'm sitting here in my cycle gear typing - that won't get the training done!

If anyone who knows me wants to support - email or facebook me - I'll ride out and pick up the money!

Cheffin's plays above par!

A superbly organised golf day which is run every year by Dave Parrish and his team at Cheffin's, this year chose to raise money for Murray's 10 Charity Challenge. In the process the competition players have raised a magnificent amount and while this is still being counted and collected from those bidding on the auction items, I'm expecting the figure to be over £2000, which will give us the great boost we need going into the last four weeks until the cycle ride!

Lot's to be done today, so a short blog and more news tomorrow.

Too much fun - is good for you!

And they same you can have too much of a good thing apparently?
Well it's all fun here and long may it continue... After a more than busy day in Murray's - that popular food and drink establishment in St Aubin (centre of the world), it's another golf day ahead tomorrow. Organised by those nice people at Cheffin's the restaurant along the strip, I'm delighted to say all the proceeds will indeed go to Murray's 10 Charity Challenge - and much needed the funds are too!

So it's 12 teams of 4 golfers - at Les Mielles from 0800 tomorrow, followed by lunch at Cheffin's - and who knows the skill of our four ball - me, Nick Chandler, Kenan Osborne and Neil Pinel could just get amongst the prizes - on the other hand I've seen what happens when we are get together!

Tonight a special meal at the Atlantic and the food of Mark Jordan, one of the finest chefs in the country for certain. Tomorrow golf in the sun & rain, and me on the mic again - drumming up support and funds - I really must start riding that bike!

Talking of which, Marc the bike builder is going to surprise me when it is built, so no peeks before hand for me.

Life is good, getting better every day.

Fund raising fun

Having WON the Close Finance golf day with the best golf of my life, I was certainly in a state of embarrassment and shock. I'm delighted to say those present forgave me for having the temerity of coming first, to dig deep in their pockets for over £300 in cash for Murray's 10cc with further pledges of another £200 on the way! Thank you thank you thank you, I whispered, as I sneaked out the back door of Les Mielles Golf Club late on Friday night, with my trophies, champers and wads of cash!

Saturday afternoon, another function - this time the St Aubin residents tea party, where many a mountain of cakes and sandwiches were consumed. The sun shone and La Haule Manor looked fab. Again some of the locals filled out sponsor forms and gave toward the challenge to the tune of another £100.

If you want to sponsor me - get in touch on Facebook on the murrays10cc site. Thanks Murray

Now! Where is that bike???

That old devil called time!

With only 5 weeks to go - the panic is setting in. Every time I think about a training ride - something gets in the way. This week it has been pretty constant for the restaurant business and there have been 3 corporate golf events to play in (came third as a 4-ball team in one and much to my surprise, won the stableford in the other!) so my golf is getting better, but the cycling is not. the next golf is on Weds 8th, with the charity benefiting from the proceeds, so at least I won't feel so bad about it.

Having done a few nice rides in France last week I could do with getting my bike back from Kenan to start with - which is totally my fault, for not collecting it. Maybe later today - although 10-2 and 6-10 shift are required from me in Murray's today.

Fund raising - well at the Close Finance golf day a couple of hundred pounds paid and pledged from the golfers at the dinner, made the winning even more pleasant and yesterday at La Haule Manor, several parishioners signed the sponsor forms, so my thanks to them.

The bike build from Marc Le Sueur is making me nervous, it is hopeful that we will have a new bike, but it will be close and I need to get practising on it soon to get the feel.

Next challenge to be seen and heard spreading the message of Murray's 10cc to the media and on...

Welcome to the blog by the way

Murray