Hopefully they means of raising money ahead of me, will be less daunting than the cycle ride already completed. But before we leave that one behind us for a while - thank you! To those who gave money, to those who helped organise, train, ride, support and get me through the ride - Thank you.
On December 1st, St Aubin is to light up all it's Christmas lights - the parish ones, the private house ones and those of the many traders/restaurants in the village. All at 6.30pm precisely. Santa will be giving out presents, mulled wine and mince pies will abound and entertainment and singing will be on the stage. And importantly, all to raise money for Murray's 10 Charity Challenge. So collection buckets will be out, stalls will be manned and hopefully and goodly amount of seasonal money will go to our charities.
Putting on a seasonal show of warmth in St Aubin, it's another challenge to keep me busy. Fortunately the Boat House group are being a huge help in the proceedings and with the help of some volunteers on the night, having a get together outside the parish hall can get everyone in the mood for Christmas.
Murray
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
All done? no just started!!!
Why cycle 10 times around Jersey? I mean what is the point of that?
Trust me over the past five days I have asked myself that question along with many many other questions. Will the legs last another hill? Will I lose the numbness of my hands and other extremities? or Why didn't you just leave the whole thing alone and have a normal life?
Trouble is I can't leave it alone and, yes I'm aware that will get on peoples nerves at times. The clear fact is that between all in our community, the small effort it takes and impact on the personal wealth of actually giving away some of your money is tiny, compared with the collective power that money will do to the charities, who will do great things with it.
So to answer my questions, My legs did last the hills, probably a mixture of bloody mindedness and fear of failing. The numbness will go - heck I'm typing this, so the fingers are working already. Normal life? There is no such thing. Finally, the point of cycling 10 times around Jersey is to convince people to give money. Strange thing, this sponsorship deal... I'll do something mad that takes every once of my energy, if you give me some money, weird, if you think about it. It's also risky too, because you declare what you are going to do and hope that those online onlookers will be moved enough to reach for the chequebook. It's like I'm cycling, but checking over my shoulder to see if anyone is looking, because if nobody looked and gave, it would be pointless.
Everyone person who smiled, nodded and gave me the good luck messages, but were not moved to make the effort to reach for the wallet, are entitled to do so. My feeling is that it is I who failed to convince them. Those who have or are about to give some of their hard-earned wonga, are chalked up on the side of the board that say there was a point to the last five days. A very worthwhile time, well spent. I've been finding out about myself and learning much of who are those few close friends who gave their time, effort and support during the gritty times of cycle ride.
After probably another day or two, looking back over this adventure, it must be onwards with the next challenge and the new fundraising ideas, for the cycle ride alone will probably bring little more that 10% of the target amount and another 90% of effort is needed to finish the job. I wouldn't have called it a challenge, if it was easy.
Thank you for following.
Murray
Trust me over the past five days I have asked myself that question along with many many other questions. Will the legs last another hill? Will I lose the numbness of my hands and other extremities? or Why didn't you just leave the whole thing alone and have a normal life?
Trouble is I can't leave it alone and, yes I'm aware that will get on peoples nerves at times. The clear fact is that between all in our community, the small effort it takes and impact on the personal wealth of actually giving away some of your money is tiny, compared with the collective power that money will do to the charities, who will do great things with it.
So to answer my questions, My legs did last the hills, probably a mixture of bloody mindedness and fear of failing. The numbness will go - heck I'm typing this, so the fingers are working already. Normal life? There is no such thing. Finally, the point of cycling 10 times around Jersey is to convince people to give money. Strange thing, this sponsorship deal... I'll do something mad that takes every once of my energy, if you give me some money, weird, if you think about it. It's also risky too, because you declare what you are going to do and hope that those online onlookers will be moved enough to reach for the chequebook. It's like I'm cycling, but checking over my shoulder to see if anyone is looking, because if nobody looked and gave, it would be pointless.
Everyone person who smiled, nodded and gave me the good luck messages, but were not moved to make the effort to reach for the wallet, are entitled to do so. My feeling is that it is I who failed to convince them. Those who have or are about to give some of their hard-earned wonga, are chalked up on the side of the board that say there was a point to the last five days. A very worthwhile time, well spent. I've been finding out about myself and learning much of who are those few close friends who gave their time, effort and support during the gritty times of cycle ride.
After probably another day or two, looking back over this adventure, it must be onwards with the next challenge and the new fundraising ideas, for the cycle ride alone will probably bring little more that 10% of the target amount and another 90% of effort is needed to finish the job. I wouldn't have called it a challenge, if it was easy.
Thank you for following.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
8 out of 10 Cats
In a recent survey, 8 out 10 is the most popular stat. And so it is for me, as I am only 2 laps away from doing this crazy fund raiser.
Am I enjoying it? That's a popular question. The honest answer is - yes... and no, or possibly no... and yes. Yes when nothing hurts and there are no bumps in the road and I'm going downhill. No when everthing waist down hurts and your wrists ache from the bumps (not half as much as the under-carriage, which has taken quite a kicking from the unforgiving saddle) and there is an incline in front of you.
That said, the amazing views of sunrise over Grouville, high tides at Ann Port, houses that I didn't know existed, a machine for spreading vraic on the fields (!) and lovely, and I do mean lovely welcome from people who just heard me on the radio, saw me in the JEP or just got told what I was up too and some even stopped and gave money! Better still I've got to ride along with some great people - Paul, Marc and Kieron to be precise, with Anna in support every day and Kenan or Ian & Julie popping up to film me and I have new friends, like the great crowd at Bee's Knees cafe at Les Platon. Then the pain is no more and this is the best challenge in the world. Do yourself a favour get a bike and ignoring the stupid Delores Cowburn article in the JEP about cyclists being annoying, and go ride around Jersey.
Last day tomorrow - I'm excited already.
Am I enjoying it? That's a popular question. The honest answer is - yes... and no, or possibly no... and yes. Yes when nothing hurts and there are no bumps in the road and I'm going downhill. No when everthing waist down hurts and your wrists ache from the bumps (not half as much as the under-carriage, which has taken quite a kicking from the unforgiving saddle) and there is an incline in front of you.
That said, the amazing views of sunrise over Grouville, high tides at Ann Port, houses that I didn't know existed, a machine for spreading vraic on the fields (!) and lovely, and I do mean lovely welcome from people who just heard me on the radio, saw me in the JEP or just got told what I was up too and some even stopped and gave money! Better still I've got to ride along with some great people - Paul, Marc and Kieron to be precise, with Anna in support every day and Kenan or Ian & Julie popping up to film me and I have new friends, like the great crowd at Bee's Knees cafe at Les Platon. Then the pain is no more and this is the best challenge in the world. Do yourself a favour get a bike and ignoring the stupid Delores Cowburn article in the JEP about cyclists being annoying, and go ride around Jersey.
Last day tomorrow - I'm excited already.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Saturday - time to go
It's before 6:00am on a Saturday morning - basically too early - but my own fault for doing the whole 10 times around jersey on a bike thing. It's the back up team I mostly worry for and feel guilty for having dragged them in. When I say team, I really mean Anna. Every day, on every lap she has driven the route, waiting at each pre-arranged stop with fresh drinks, energy bars, cloths to wipe my glasses and encouragement.
By the finish, that will be 9 hours a day for 5 days of watching somebody ride a bike on the same roads, getting none of the glory, just my ever-changing moods and dips in momentum. Worst still, she has caught my cold and is a snuffling, sneezing mess, exhausted by the non-stop routine of ride-feed-ride-feed-sleep continually. Thank heavens she has been there at every corner of the route, shivering in the wind, wrapped up fleeces, especially as this was not part of the plan. The last two morning I've tried to sneek out without waking her and do a lap completely solo, but no matter how ill she is doesn't give up. How bad do I feel? It can only be measured by how lucky I am to have such wonderful support. What a star she has been.
Right, off for the first lap of Saturday. Murray
By the finish, that will be 9 hours a day for 5 days of watching somebody ride a bike on the same roads, getting none of the glory, just my ever-changing moods and dips in momentum. Worst still, she has caught my cold and is a snuffling, sneezing mess, exhausted by the non-stop routine of ride-feed-ride-feed-sleep continually. Thank heavens she has been there at every corner of the route, shivering in the wind, wrapped up fleeces, especially as this was not part of the plan. The last two morning I've tried to sneek out without waking her and do a lap completely solo, but no matter how ill she is doesn't give up. How bad do I feel? It can only be measured by how lucky I am to have such wonderful support. What a star she has been.
Right, off for the first lap of Saturday. Murray
Round and round we go
Firstly, I'm probably more amazed than most of those astonished people who can hardly believe my six laps of Jersey so far. My legs and bum are the only things that know for sure how far they've been. However, the warning signs are out there to give me something to think about tonight. I can walk, but I'm tottering like a 2 year old. My knees either lock out completely or wobbly about, making my feet slap on the floor, reminicent of sulky kid. THE most important laps of the whole event are tomorrow. I've always know that. Saturday, if I got that far, was to be the tough one. Day 4 of 5, it will carry the maximum wear and tear, but without the hype of the last day, when crawling on all fours will not be ruled out. If I can get through tomorrow, I might start to get optomistic of finishing laps 9 and 10.
Today - Friday it was lap 5, sunrise was amazing over Grouville and the rain unforgiving from St.John to the end of St.Ouen's bay. Soaked through, but it made me cycle quicker. Lap 6 was warm and sunny and although flagging slightly, the boost of a 100 pound pledge from Robin & Jennifer Lapidus on the road from their car was enough to push me on. So it's good news and hopefully the money will come in, certainly the response from knowing looks and 'good luck' & 'go Murray' chants, if they convert into pound notes will prove the whole ride worth the silly walk. Bed time - it's gone 9pm you know! Murray.
Today - Friday it was lap 5, sunrise was amazing over Grouville and the rain unforgiving from St.John to the end of St.Ouen's bay. Soaked through, but it made me cycle quicker. Lap 6 was warm and sunny and although flagging slightly, the boost of a 100 pound pledge from Robin & Jennifer Lapidus on the road from their car was enough to push me on. So it's good news and hopefully the money will come in, certainly the response from knowing looks and 'good luck' & 'go Murray' chants, if they convert into pound notes will prove the whole ride worth the silly walk. Bed time - it's gone 9pm you know! Murray.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
When I should be sleeping
3.45am. Sorry for not sounding full of enthusiasm but it's not really the time I want to be writing a blog. Following the euphoria od the second day completed and the 9pm bedtime, I want to be asleep, resting up my heavy legs and dreaming dreams that make no sense in a squidgy bed that feels like a giant mashmallow, but no, the internal alarm is faulty instead. Every hour since 01.21 has me staring at the bedside clock at regular intervals and my mind is racing at speeds it doesn't reach during the daylight hours.
Not that the body is behaving much better. I think the body is now revolting (it was never too pretty anyway) against the treament it's had recently, with the legs restless but made of lead and the threat of throwing up forcing me to sit in the bathroom with a towel for the last 15 minutes until the nausea has eased, it appears to be getting it's own back on me. So 500ml of water and protein bar later and here we are. One more lap of Jersey is halfway and then it's just 5 more to the finish line and no more cycling. The middle days were always going to be the toughest and it is the mental toughness that comes to the fore now. Mind games, pesonal belief and wondering why the hell you are doing such a silly thing as riding around and around the island? If it were work that you got up and did such a phyically demanding thing, you'd console yourself with the money you are paid.
I think the fear is that not every slap on the back from the well meaning friends and strangers alike, who will enjoy the media spectacle and freak show of me making an arse of myself for free, will be converted into them actually putting a penny in the hat going around. Some smile, say 'well done, very admirable', then keep walking, hands firmly stuck in pockets. Well - it's the sort of thing that keeps you awake at night, even though I know full well it's a personal choice to give or not and do try to remember to respect that important point. Fortunately I see those who give, which of course moves you onward and gets you up eating porrige and honey at 5am and in the saddle for 6.30. One of the best moments was just after doing an interview with Channel TV yesterday, just before the fourth lap. The cameraman, having switched off the camera, reached into his pocket and handed over a tenner! Those in the media have normally seen it, heard it and recorded it all before and it's easy to not get involved. A good moment.
Enough rambling on. No point in bed now. I'll see you after Day 3 and that means laps 5 & 6. Now go pass the hat round for the charities for me... Thanks x
Not that the body is behaving much better. I think the body is now revolting (it was never too pretty anyway) against the treament it's had recently, with the legs restless but made of lead and the threat of throwing up forcing me to sit in the bathroom with a towel for the last 15 minutes until the nausea has eased, it appears to be getting it's own back on me. So 500ml of water and protein bar later and here we are. One more lap of Jersey is halfway and then it's just 5 more to the finish line and no more cycling. The middle days were always going to be the toughest and it is the mental toughness that comes to the fore now. Mind games, pesonal belief and wondering why the hell you are doing such a silly thing as riding around and around the island? If it were work that you got up and did such a phyically demanding thing, you'd console yourself with the money you are paid.
I think the fear is that not every slap on the back from the well meaning friends and strangers alike, who will enjoy the media spectacle and freak show of me making an arse of myself for free, will be converted into them actually putting a penny in the hat going around. Some smile, say 'well done, very admirable', then keep walking, hands firmly stuck in pockets. Well - it's the sort of thing that keeps you awake at night, even though I know full well it's a personal choice to give or not and do try to remember to respect that important point. Fortunately I see those who give, which of course moves you onward and gets you up eating porrige and honey at 5am and in the saddle for 6.30. One of the best moments was just after doing an interview with Channel TV yesterday, just before the fourth lap. The cameraman, having switched off the camera, reached into his pocket and handed over a tenner! Those in the media have normally seen it, heard it and recorded it all before and it's easy to not get involved. A good moment.
Enough rambling on. No point in bed now. I'll see you after Day 3 and that means laps 5 & 6. Now go pass the hat round for the charities for me... Thanks x
The view from after 4 times round
Wow! I mean bloody hell - wow! 4 times around Jersey in 2 days and 40% of the challenge done. I do feel pretty chuffed and chaffed now you come to think about it. It started with a cold ok let's face it man-flu - and on a rainy dark Wednesday morning watch the video on - http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DUhCmrSnKT8U&h=966dc - and so it has gone on... the coverage by 103fm, BBC Jersey, the amazing JEP full page and impending showing on the CTV interview have all helped the great response I'm getting on the way around on my bike. I'm always very shy about asking for the money when strangers come up and say 'well done' and the like but offer not a penny, which to be fair is why I'm doing it. Day 1 left me exhausted but on a high. Paul Stone has been incredibly supportive, giving up a day of work to be alongside me for both of the laps of Day 1 together with weeks of training runs and huge amonts of time and advice. Without him this would have been an impossible task. Marc Le Sueur and the bike he built me, did'nt let me down either and both turned up for day 1 on both laps. The Bee's Knees Cafe on the North Coast are even our official suppliers of a cuppa on every lap.
Hurrah for Day 1. Day 2 was an awful first circuit in contrast - the wind against me made the ride so hard and slow. Everything makes you doubt whether you are going to do this, my right knee was screeming pain, throat sore, and energy levels at rock bottom - and that was only after 30 minutes. Anna was encouraging me along, but we both knew I was in trouble. A live chat on 103 with Peter Mac helped cheer me up and slowly I chipped away at the first lap. CTV turned up in St Aubin and then I gave myself a good talking to, reminded myself that this was not at all difficult - compared to the pain, distress and discomfort felt by those who might benefit from the fundraising - so time to shut up, stop moaning and get on with it. Rather than take the wind on the coast road going east to Gorey, I took the normally tougher Grouville Hill out of the wind and made Gorey in more comfort. The rest of the 2nd lap worked better from there and hey - what do you know - I'm back in St Aubin. 4 down - 6 to go. Jersey is stunning from the saddle, you should try it, although after Sunday, I may not rush back to the bike too quickly. Anyway time for sleep and it's not even 8.20pm!
Everything I've forgotten is in the next blog... Bye!
Hurrah for Day 1. Day 2 was an awful first circuit in contrast - the wind against me made the ride so hard and slow. Everything makes you doubt whether you are going to do this, my right knee was screeming pain, throat sore, and energy levels at rock bottom - and that was only after 30 minutes. Anna was encouraging me along, but we both knew I was in trouble. A live chat on 103 with Peter Mac helped cheer me up and slowly I chipped away at the first lap. CTV turned up in St Aubin and then I gave myself a good talking to, reminded myself that this was not at all difficult - compared to the pain, distress and discomfort felt by those who might benefit from the fundraising - so time to shut up, stop moaning and get on with it. Rather than take the wind on the coast road going east to Gorey, I took the normally tougher Grouville Hill out of the wind and made Gorey in more comfort. The rest of the 2nd lap worked better from there and hey - what do you know - I'm back in St Aubin. 4 down - 6 to go. Jersey is stunning from the saddle, you should try it, although after Sunday, I may not rush back to the bike too quickly. Anyway time for sleep and it's not even 8.20pm!
Everything I've forgotten is in the next blog... Bye!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
One down - 9 to go!
The first one is done - in 4 hours 10 mins! Better than I thought, just a twinge in the right knee and the sniffles, but taking the lemsip on the move!
Just done pasta and time to move off for the second and obviously slower second lap!
All the details on tonight's blog
Murray x
Just done pasta and time to move off for the second and obviously slower second lap!
All the details on tonight's blog
Murray x
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
The Start
Aching bones and a a cold is not the ideal way to start a cycle marathon - but I'm excited - and snotty - about the start.
The JEP are here - Paul & Marc my pace setters are here and all I have to do is start cycling - until Sunday night.. I'll keep you updated here.
www.murraysjersey.com is the website - keep the donations coming in.
Love Murray
The JEP are here - Paul & Marc my pace setters are here and all I have to do is start cycling - until Sunday night.. I'll keep you updated here.
www.murraysjersey.com is the website - keep the donations coming in.
Love Murray
Friday, October 1, 2010
Money - it's a hit... don't give me that do goody good...
The new bike that Marc built is just great, now I've had time to use it. Esprit bikes are the future - get him to measure you up then go buy one straight away!
Money - like it or not - that's why I'm doing this whole palaver.
The last two days have started to bring in the boost that I needed. My worry was always, that I will put myself through a certain amount of pain, during and after the cycle ride, for little amounts of donations. Trust me I've been 10,000 feet up a mountain on a bike, wondering "what the !**! am I doing here" and then remembered the faith people put in me to do something, that odd something, that people do to extract some money from wallets of many.
And here we are again. Next time, would somebody please stop me when I have a daft idea?
So is this a challenge? Well for me yes, of course is you are are a keen cyclist you may find this pips, but otherwise dust the bike off and go for a ride, in the rain and wind.
Try doing a circuit of Jersey. St.Aubin - to Gorey, up the hill to Rozel, down and up Bouley or Bonne Nuit and Greve de Lecq, around Corbeire, in and out of St Brelades bay and back to St Aubin . Then imagine doing that again in the same day. Then get up the next day and do that again for another four days. Then imagine an overweight, fifty something, non cyclists doing it (that's me by the way). You will start to wonder why the hell you are doing this. Hero? nah! I just know that know nobody will sponsor me to have an Indian takeaway and watch the golf for 4 days, which is a shame. There are only three things truly pushing me on. 1/ The thought of the money rolling in and 2/ The people who will get the benefit from it and 3/ Not looking like an arse by not doing even one circuit!
Facebook, that social media network that let's you keep count of the number of 'friends' you have, has just justified me being part of it. For what is the use of having 'friends' unless they are there for you when you need them? Or for that matter, to make a tiny donation to inspire you. Now I'm not naive enough to imagine every 'friend' I have will give money. It may be that they don't agree with giving to charity, they may not like the charities picked out or have already given their quota for the year, all of which they are entitled to do. So a sense of perspective is called for. But you certainly can't help but ponder on the whole facebook friend issue and why you have so many of them.
Yesterday and today, thankfully, Facebook messages have been popping up from all manner of directions, ranging from people I know well, to those who are social media acquaintances - electric friends - perhaps, rather than the ones I might go down the pub with of go to dinner with.
Now it is not for me to judge how much people give and frankly, all that matters to me is that I have made people feel motivated enough to make the tiny amount of effort to go through the process of donating something, however small to the cause. But it is difficult not to be human and notice the anomalies in pre-conceived thoughts, when a millionaire will donate less than somebody I hardly know, who has no job. Perhaps that's why they are millionaires, although I suspect it's because they worked hard and applied themselves. I don't hold with envy, just admiration. It's not always the case that the rich are tighter anyway, I must add. One cheque last Saturday, from a customer at Murray's was for £3000. And no matter what their personal circumstances, which are non of my business anyhow, that is a lot of money.
The good, inspiring, get-me-in-the-lyrca news is many have given without so much as a nudge and a tenner is the favoured amount. Sarah even set up a standing order to the account to give £10 per month for 10 months - nice! I like that one, just for the extra mile she went in setting it up. Holiday makers have given at the restaurant and complete strangers have walked up and handed over cash! I'll worry about maintaining the momentum after the ride... well... after the ride. Right now I have enough to ponder on, which stops me thinking about being perched on my saddle.
www.murrays10cc.com should be up and going by tomorrow - hurrah!
Money - like it or not - that's why I'm doing this whole palaver.
The last two days have started to bring in the boost that I needed. My worry was always, that I will put myself through a certain amount of pain, during and after the cycle ride, for little amounts of donations. Trust me I've been 10,000 feet up a mountain on a bike, wondering "what the !**! am I doing here" and then remembered the faith people put in me to do something, that odd something, that people do to extract some money from wallets of many.
And here we are again. Next time, would somebody please stop me when I have a daft idea?
So is this a challenge? Well for me yes, of course is you are are a keen cyclist you may find this pips, but otherwise dust the bike off and go for a ride, in the rain and wind.
Try doing a circuit of Jersey. St.Aubin - to Gorey, up the hill to Rozel, down and up Bouley or Bonne Nuit and Greve de Lecq, around Corbeire, in and out of St Brelades bay and back to St Aubin . Then imagine doing that again in the same day. Then get up the next day and do that again for another four days. Then imagine an overweight, fifty something, non cyclists doing it (that's me by the way). You will start to wonder why the hell you are doing this. Hero? nah! I just know that know nobody will sponsor me to have an Indian takeaway and watch the golf for 4 days, which is a shame. There are only three things truly pushing me on. 1/ The thought of the money rolling in and 2/ The people who will get the benefit from it and 3/ Not looking like an arse by not doing even one circuit!
Facebook, that social media network that let's you keep count of the number of 'friends' you have, has just justified me being part of it. For what is the use of having 'friends' unless they are there for you when you need them? Or for that matter, to make a tiny donation to inspire you. Now I'm not naive enough to imagine every 'friend' I have will give money. It may be that they don't agree with giving to charity, they may not like the charities picked out or have already given their quota for the year, all of which they are entitled to do. So a sense of perspective is called for. But you certainly can't help but ponder on the whole facebook friend issue and why you have so many of them.
Yesterday and today, thankfully, Facebook messages have been popping up from all manner of directions, ranging from people I know well, to those who are social media acquaintances - electric friends - perhaps, rather than the ones I might go down the pub with of go to dinner with.
Now it is not for me to judge how much people give and frankly, all that matters to me is that I have made people feel motivated enough to make the tiny amount of effort to go through the process of donating something, however small to the cause. But it is difficult not to be human and notice the anomalies in pre-conceived thoughts, when a millionaire will donate less than somebody I hardly know, who has no job. Perhaps that's why they are millionaires, although I suspect it's because they worked hard and applied themselves. I don't hold with envy, just admiration. It's not always the case that the rich are tighter anyway, I must add. One cheque last Saturday, from a customer at Murray's was for £3000. And no matter what their personal circumstances, which are non of my business anyhow, that is a lot of money.
The good, inspiring, get-me-in-the-lyrca news is many have given without so much as a nudge and a tenner is the favoured amount. Sarah even set up a standing order to the account to give £10 per month for 10 months - nice! I like that one, just for the extra mile she went in setting it up. Holiday makers have given at the restaurant and complete strangers have walked up and handed over cash! I'll worry about maintaining the momentum after the ride... well... after the ride. Right now I have enough to ponder on, which stops me thinking about being perched on my saddle.
www.murrays10cc.com should be up and going by tomorrow - hurrah!
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