£3,000 and counting!

We've now reached £3,000 in donations! Thank you so much to everyone who has donated, I can assure you that every single penny will help motivate us as we pedal through 3 countries.

For anyone who hasn't donated yet, you can do so here: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/Cholsey-Barcelona

Thank you!
David, Simon & Sinéad

Who are we? An introduction to the Epic Riders Team

I admit, this was my stupid idea.  I wanted adventure, after being reminded starkly that life is for living: see here.  

I’ve assembled my team slowly and carefully to comprise an elite squad of misfits, all with complementing skills, each bringing something very important to the table to enable this to be delivered.  This post outlines who’s who and what they bring.  Be aware that we are all very, very funny.  I’m very grateful to all of those who are not only humouring me but offering to spend substantial amounts of time and money joining and supporting this team.  

David ‘Euro Plates’ Mould

I have to admit to starting this thing off.  “It’s only 50 miles more than Lands End to John o’ Groats”.  Well, it might be, and the weather should be fairer, but it’s a blimin’ long way.  I’m a hydrologist by trade, so prone to being a bit wet.  I only started road biking last Autumn, so this transition has been reasonably dramatic.  

Sinéad ‘Aunty Nobby’ Matthews

 Sinéad is an old school friend of Claire (David’s better half) and Jen.  She’s an engineer and inventor, but nobody outside of the Oxford Science Park can expand on this with any certainty.  Nobby’s jokes are pretty horrific at times and often pass by unnoticed, but those that know her best get used to it.  She’s equally horrifically clever and has got a photographic memory, so is a great addition to any team that don’t take themselves too seriously.  

Simon ‘Chicken Legs’ Mould

Simon is my brother.  He’s the senior rider, and renowned across Oxfordshire for the shape of his legs.  Professionally, Simon is untouchable in terms of delivering management consultancy though Ujasiri, and has added great depth to our commercial sponsorship and network of supporters.  He’s determined, incredibly strong despite his immense age and various horrific physical limitations.  

Nick ‘Half-Wheel’ Antram

Never trust the quiet one.  Nick is a user-experience developer, and currently works for Anne Summers.  He’s a talented guy, and always has something useful to say.  Nick couldn’t resist flying out to join in with the Epic Riders for Mont Ventoux, and thought he’d hang on in the slipstream to Barça for a beer. 

Barry ‘William’ Fix (it)

Barry is David and Simon’s uncle, and has agreed to drive our support car all the way, in return for one of those Spanish dancing dolls you buy at a market out there.  He doesn’t yet know what he’s in for.  There’s the laundry, massaging, cleaning, maintenance, verruca-rubbing, applying bottom cream, first aid (if different from the cream...), being the target of endless jokes...  

Just mind those corners on the mountain pass, Bazo.

Filipe ‘Mr Bridger’ Salbany

An ex- cycling pro, Filipe is now a physiologist at Oxford University (their secret weapon in the boat race), bee-keeper, mechanic, father etc. etc.  He’s just The Man, and our Sensei.  He exudes knowledge about looking after bikes, riding technique and trip logistics.  He’s modest, generous and technically brilliant.  We are indebted to him for fixing the mistakes of dozens of bike shops, and for doing the job properly.  And we apologise and thank him for not giving our machines the attention they deserve, and instead just dropping them at his place.  

If we make it, Filipe will be at home with a wry smile as he walks down the metal steps to a celebratory dinner (perhaps with his daughters banging pans in the background).  

Claire Humphreys

David’s (much) better half for the last 15 years.  She’s singularly the best Mum ever to have existed, which includes being a great baker: welcome after a long training ride.  Claire epitomises down-to-Earth, and is a darling of the village, getting involved in every fundraiser possible.  Her cross-cutting résumé of skills is typified by recently netting a composed hat-trick against the Bluebirds Under 8s in a Parents vs. Boys training game. 

Claire has put up with me being absent for many weekend hours over the last few months whilst I get my legs (what there is of them) ready for this.  

Phil ‘Aston Tirrold 461’ Hopkins

Phil is our media man, and is clearly talented as he’s made us look like reasonable human beings in the photos.  He makes moving images for a living, and by all accounts does it rather well as Coo Yah (@philhop/www.cooyah.co.uk).  Phil is haunted by memories of 1920s films from his childhood, but we keep an eye on him.  He’s joining us on Day 1, and I think he will enjoy wearing the team shirt once the memories of coercion fade: ‘friends’, huh!  

Rachel ‘Raquel’ Mould

Not to be confused with Tessa Peake-Jones, Rachel married Simon.  She’s coping, but does like a huge logistical challenge to take her mind off things. 

Jonathan ‘If it’s Italian, I’ll buy it’ Day

Jon is a semi-regular training partner for the Epic Riders, and always suspiciously strong despite the rarity of his rides.  Jon loves the gear, but backs it up with the ideas, and is a thoroughly lovely chap. 

Rob ‘8 Bikes’ Arnold

The third graduate associated with the Epics from the NCT class of 2007, Rob has more bikes than the rest of us put together.  His garage is big enough though (no euphemism intended), so fair play to the man. 

Simon ‘V2’ Collinson

Simon climbs like Quintana and descends like a V2.  He’s put his money where his mouth is for us with some corporate sponsorship.  He’s also helped train Simon up over the winter, and can often be seen with a stopwatch at the top of Chinnor Hill.  We’re very grateful, as we’ll be tucking in not only in the Black Horse in Barnet, but behind Simon on the ride. 

Matt Esrich

Matt is a comedian, often found gigging in Oxfordshire villages.  He’s a serious rider though, with explosive stares.  We’re grateful to have him as a reliable training partner and Day 1 Epic Rider, and are deeply fond of him. 

Pulling this off (or trying to) is no mean feat.  I’m immensely proud of this bunch, and I’m grateful for their commitment, their skills, their generosity and the fact that they put up with my humour.  Thank you sincerely one and all.  Epic is an understatement in my opinion. 

The length of Italy next year, guys?

David

£2,000 and counting!

Wooo Hooo, today we broke the £2,000 mark. Thank you so much to all those people who have donated, we're incredibly grateful!

For those who haven't donated yet, you can do it here: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/Cholsey-Barcelona

Don't forget to sign up to the organ donation register too!
http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/

Thank you one and all,
David, Simon & Sinéad

Why WaterAid?

25% of the money that we raise on this mad cap ride will go to WaterAid. I thought it would be worthwhile to share a few reasons why we all believe this is a really important cause to work for.....

A great deal of my (Simon's) career has been spent working with water companies in the UK, and it is fair to say that we take for granted the fact that when we turn on the tap, something clean, clear and healthy runs out. And when we flush the toilet, the nasty stuff gets taken away for us. We take for granted the huge amount of care, attention to detail and dedication that it takes to make that happen, all for a few pence a day.

During the first months of my travels through Africa, I got to know first hand how hard it is when you don't have water on tap like we do in the UK. Walking miles to collect dirty brown, potentially dangerous water, in the hot sun. The usual monthly day with an upset stomach. And worse as you might imagine. Sometime much worse (although I managed to avoid that). Just take a look at the photo - that's me, and the water I had to drink.

So when you've read this, take 5 mins to reflect on how lucky we are here in Blighty, and then take another 5 mins to donate to WaterAid, either for our ride, or just direct.

Around 500,000 children die every year from diarrhoea caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation - that's over 1,400 children a day

What’s powering the pedals?

With 12 days of cycling through England, France and Spain we’re going to need a fair bit of support. The main work will be provided by Uncle Baso, who’ll be driving the support vehicle to provide food, drink and engineering assistance! But we’re also getting some incredible support from a lot of other people. We’re seriously grateful to all the people listed below, this trip would not be happening without their support. Thank You!

Brittany Ferries: rather than having to stowaway to get across the English Channel, the good people at Brittany Ferries have given us our trip half price. (@brittanyferries)

Sealskinz: to keep out extremities snug and warm during the hours on the saddle, Sealskinz have kindly donated socks and gloves for each of riders. (@sealskinz) 

Oak Taverns and the Barnet Brewery at the Black Horse Pub: The fabulous team at the Barnet Brewery have thrown in a good lump of cash for the charities, and have even donated their CEO for day one of the ride.   (@TheBlackHorsePH) 

High 5: to help power us up Mont Ventoux, High 5 has given us 30% off their products.  These must be good - it is the only thing seemingly keeping the old boy of the team together in his training

Aiimi: Experts in information management, Aiimi have also thrown a good lump of cash into the charity pot, to give us the extra incentive we need to keep going. (@aiimiltd)

Thank you everyone! This ride, and all the money it is raising for some great causes, would not be possible without your help.

So who is Jen and what did Penny Brohn do for her?

With 75% of our financial donations going to Penny Brohn Cancer Care in memory of our friend Jen, we thought that we should explain who she is and why we care so much about the people who helped her so much during her toughest time.

Waaaaay back when, September 1993 to be precise, I was fortunate enough to be put in the same class as Jennie Pays, Naomi Lynch and Claire Humphreys. Despite some very different interests, we all became friends and soon the lovely Jo Harding and “Boffin” Jonny Weaver joined in.

Over the years, we might not of have the pleasure of seeing each other every day, but we were still always there for one another providing cheers in the good times and hugs in the tougher times. Jen was always there with her beautiful smile and big hug to go with her wicked sense of humour and love of life. Always the 1^st one to get up and dance, whether on the dancefloor or just round the kitchen, she always found a way to enjoy life.

Her positive outlook meant that when she was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2013, she told us that she was going to fight it with everything she had. She also told us about this fantastic charity who were providing her with lots of support and advice about how she could change things to best support her cancer treatment. Throughout her treatment Penny Brohn provided motivation for Jen and with the incredible support of her husband Andy and her children Rebecca and William, she was able to outlive all the predictions made by her doctors. Unfortunately, this couldn’t go on forever and Jen passed away last December, with Andy by her side and that beautiful smile on her face.

Penny Brohn Cancer Care helped give Jen some precious time with her children, so we wanted to help them continue to provide support to people with cancer. That’s why we’re taking on this 1,100 mile challenge, to say thank you…

We're not writing this to make you sad, but to start to convey the legacy that Jen left in our lives as her friends, and the inspiration she was to many others through being an Ambassador for Penny Brohn.  Jen did this because she wanted to give something back, which is typical of her.  She continues to motivate those that knew her, and one lasting legacy is the driving force behind this bloody bike ride: we must live life whilst we can.  We intend to, and we also intend to make some money whilst we do it for some great causes.  

I’m not the best with words, but fortunately I have a friend who is, and these were the words that the wonderful Jon penned for Jen in the days before she died (with a little assistance from the musical Wicked and a certain D. Parton):

It's often said, that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something that we must learn,

And we are drawn to those who would help us most to grow, if we let them, and if we help them in return.

I don't know if that is really true, but I know we're who we are today, because we know you.

A lot can change in 20 years, fashions come and go.

We've certainly had our moments when we've all stolen the show.

We've loved and lost, turned and tossed, we've laughed and danced and cried.

We've moved it on up, and pushed it on, we've shaken it from side to side.

If anyone's wanted to be our lover, they've had to get with our friends.

If anyone's ever messed with us, they've been made to make amends.

When the brown stuff's hit the fan for us, there's always been support.

When we've experienced the highs we've earned in life, pride has never run short.

Hakuna Matata is easily said, but slightly harder done.

But in having each other, be it near or far, it's been easy being strong.

We've slapped on the lippy, let down our hair, and put mascara on,

We've pushed up our boobs, strapped on our heels - and mostly that's just Jon!

We’ve thrown up spaghetti, we've talked about boys, we've learned and grown and won.

We've shared quiet hugs, and we've made a huge noise, and Wang it, have we had fun!

We've walked in the rain, and climbed over hills, we've learned to flirt and flounce,

We've talked complete nonsense, for hours on end, but that's what really counts.

When it's rained you've helped us see the rainbow, when it's dark, you've shown us stars.

When it's felt like the earth has shifted under us, you've helped us move to Mars.

You've done all that without even trying, the photos here attest.

So to you we say, we do not doubt that we have all been blessed.

So, we don't know, just quite how, any of our stories end,

But we do know all our stories have been rewritten, because you are our friend.

So to you we say, stay strong, keep going, keep fighting all the way

And we'll be here, supporting you, and loving you our way.

It might not be much, it might be old hat, it might be helpful. Just.

But we are family. And you've shown us what's possible, when we've got all our sisters with us!!

Phase 1 – Planning, planning and more planning!

Welcome to the ChoBar blog, following the Epic Riders from Cholsey to Barcelona.

Why are we doing this?

On 9th May this year, a group of 3 cyclists from Oxfordshire, will embark on a mammoth 1,100 mile bike ride from Oxfordshire to Barcelona. Simon & David Mould and Sinéad Matthews will be cycling for 12 days through England and France to Barcelona, taking on an additional challenge of Mont Ventoux.  There are a number of local riders joining us for the 1^st day and some even making the journey over to France to join us along the way. The incredible Uncle Bazo will be providing support throughout the journey.

The purpose of this crazy undertaking is to raise lots of money for three really worthy causes: Penny Brohn Cancer Care, WaterAid and Organ Donation. 

Penny Brohn Cancer Care, based in Bristol is fantastic charity that supports cancer patients to live well with their disease.  They are charity very close to our hearts as they supported a close friend through her journey with bowel cancer.   Sadly she passed away before Christmas aged 33 leaving behind two young children.  Her courage, bravery and inspiration is the driving force to raise lots of money for this amazing charity.  They will receive 75% of our fundraising.  

WaterAid is an amazing charity which provides the most basic of needs that nobody should be without.  We support WaterAid's work wholeheartedly, and want to help their mission of providing safe access to clean water and sanitation, something that taken for granted in the western world.   They will receive 25% of our fundraising. 

In addition to financially supporting the charities above, we are also asking people to register on the Organ Donation website in memory of Sinéad’s cousin, Rachel, who suffered from Cystic Fibrosis and who passed away whilst waiting for a new pair of lungs, aged 15.

How to donate

We’re collecting financial donations through the Virgin Money Giving website, http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/Cholsey-Barcelona, all you need is a credit/debit card and they will split the money 75:25 for us. Don’t forget to tick the gift aid box if you’re eligible! You can sign up to the organ donation register at http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/; we do recommend that in addition to signing up, you also let your next of kin know your wishes. Obviously this is a very personal issue, so we won’t be asking you to sign up to any public website to let us know that you’re going to “give us yer giblets”.

What are we doing at the moment?

At the moment we’re putting in some serious miles on the bikes, trying to get as much support for the ride as possible (more about that in later blogs) and sort out logistics for the journey. We’ll be adding more blogs before the Grand Depart on 9^th May to let you know how the build-up is going as well as blogging about our adventures once the journey starts. We will also link to a Strava account so that you can keep an eye on our daily progress.