2,500 and counting..

Thanks all for your contribution. I am sure i couldn't have done it with every single one of you.

Just crossed the 2500 mark in absolute contribution, making it over 3150 pounds including Gift-Aid.

Keep it coming and i am sure we can collectively make a huge difference.

Thanks and regards.

the Red Baron

Day 8, 9 and 10 - Trinidad and our return trip

The last 3 days days of our trip was mainly to visit trinidad, relax by the beach and our hectic flight back -Iberia, Again.!

Few pics of our last 3 days in Cuba.

Thanks once again to one and all for making this trip a success.

Would like to thank Amelio, Aryaal, Santos, Michelle, and Louise for their fantastic backup support.

Day 6 and 7 - Cienfuegos to Hanabanilla and hanabanilla to Trinidad

17^th November, 2010

Day 4 into our Cuban adventure, and we had sufficient warning that today was going to a tough nut to crack. We were told that the distance would not be too much but the steep hills would drain us, and drain us it did.!

We hit the rollercoaster hills section within 20 minutes of riding. And oh yes, it was difficult. It was a bit overcast, that it help us, but nevertheless the humidity factor was quite high. The team really did very well to keep up the momentum.

Day 5 – Rancho Luna to Cienfuegos return trip

16^th November, 2010

Day 3 of riding of our Cuban challenge. Today’s ride was supposed to be an easier day to prepare ourselves for the following days of intense cycling. But it turned out to be a bit tougher than expected, perhaps because of the speed at which we did the final ride.

Day 4 - Matanzas to Cienfuegos

15^th November, 2010

Day 2 of our Cuban cycle escapade. On the whole it was much easier ride today in terms of the flatness of the entire terrain, but the distance was a lot further.

Had a great breakfast at our hotel in Veradaro – the best of the trip so far. Started from our hotel and had our bus transfer to our last destination point near Matanzas. Started cycling at around 9:00 am and started cycling south towards Cienfuegos.

Day 3 - Playa Jibacoa to Matanzas

14^th November, 2010

Technically day 1 of our Cuban cycling escapade, and what a day it was.!

Had a quick breakfast (speciality was cheese and Jam.!) and met up for a team briefing at half past 8. Amelio, out tour guide briefed us on dos and don’ts – pee behind bush was acceptable if needed. Arial (pronounced Areeyal) was our cycle leader and led us well, he did.!

Day 2 – Trip to Cuba – Part Deux

13^th November 2010.

Well, about to leave my hotel and trying to finally get to Cuba, once again.!

This really does feel like a true challenge at the moment

Hotel stay and food were fine.

Taking an earlier flight of to Madrid today, hoping to be well on time to catch my connecting flight to Cuba

IB 3163 – 10:55 (LHR) – 13:45(MAD)

IB 6621 – 17:00 (MAD) – HAV (21:10)

Stay tunes to what happens next.!

Day 1 - Flight to Cuba

12 Nov 2010, Friday - finally the time has come to leave the murky winter of UK behind and off to warm, humid conditions in Cuba. Just about to finish last minute packing before i airport.

IB 3175 - 12:15(LHR) - 15:35(MAD)

IB 6621 - 17:00(MAD) - 21:10(HAV) 

Hope to update this page tonight with pics of the group, flight etc.

CLICK BELOW TO READ ON....

So many things...so Little time..!

With the clock ticking, and only 3 days left before i depart to Cuba, the amount of last minute things to buy/arrange/organise, is mounting by the day.

Kind of a roller coaster of emotions in terms of stress, anxiety, excitement all combined into one ever growing mass of apprehensiveness.! 

Anyways stay tuned to my daily report once the i embark on my quest.

Thanks for all those who have contributed and i bet your contribution will not go unnoticed.

Garmin Forerunner 305 - First Run

My first run with my new Garmin Forerunner 305.

Fantastic bit of kit.

Details of my run below...

(Weblink here...)

Cuban Tourist Card

Got my tourist card..!!

Isle of Wight - Review

The last ride of the season - and what a way to finish off the season before I head to Cuba, off course..!

Stayed over at Ryde and chose a starting point near to the hotel. Nothing to brag about the hotel (Abingdon lodge hotel). Quite expensive to any comparable hotel and the service was well below par (no one to man the desk for almost the entire day on Sunday..!) The only positives to come from this chapter would be the decent breakfast and the opportunity to sleep before the ride.

Was at the starting point by 8:30 - smallbrook stadium. Swiftly pass the registration and off the saddle before 9 am. We were given a map and asked to follow the bicycle signs all over the island. It was then I realised that this was not the usual marshaled, sign posted, tailor made route, but this was a normal round the island route we had to follow. In other words this route could be replicated anytime of the year. All we had to was to follow the bicycle signs (blue bicycle with white background indicates clockwise and white on blue is anti clockwise) and reach back where we started.

A great read - The Rules

The Rules..

Top picks :

Rule 12:
The minimum number of bikes one should own is three.  The correct number is n+1, where n is the number of bikes currently owned.  This equation may also be re-written as s-1, where s is the number of bikes owned that would result in separation from your partner.

Rule 37: The arms of the eyewear shall always be placed over the helmet straps.  No exceptions.  We don't know why, its just the way it is.

London Duathlon (Review)

Well, this was the most anticipated event, ever since i was bitten by the triathlon bug last month. Since i am not a keen swimmer, this was a perfect opportunity for me to push  myself in the two disciplines i love doing - Running and Riding..

The day itself was picture perfect - Clear blue skies dotted with pure white clouds. Picture a perfect sunny day , and today was such a day. 

This day being the only day in the year when Richmond park is closed for vehicular movement, the traffic near the park was quite heavy. But once inside, it was very well organized, except for the bit where in we had to carry our bikes over a temporary bridge, although the view from the top of the bridge was quite spectacular as as the riders and runners went past us below, with the park in the back ground. Apart from that the only other criticism i would have would be the dearth of stalls (only a couple of Maxifuel stalls and 2 other sporting equipment stall) and no Goodie bag at the end of the event.! :(. Being a global event (as i think it is) it was nowhere near the the sheer amount of publicity and stalls that were prevalent at the London Triathlon this year, although the triathlon is definitely a much bigger event as such.

London - Windsor (review)

A fantastic ride. A starked improvement in the ride level as well as the organisation from Bike-Events. Much more refreshments areas,in fact too many perhaps. But on the whole a fun day. 

Costume Spotted : A man in a spider man costume.

Ride Facts : total distance cycled - 50 miles (from home and back)

Ride completed in - 2Hr 30Min

Average Speed - 15 Miles/hour

(In depth review in due course..)

London - Hastings (Review)

Definitely one of the tougher rides that i have been to. The distance was extended from a 61 mile course to a 80 mile course. but the worst was yet to come - It was a continuous uphill course.!

I can easily say one of my most well deserved certificate, and the satisfaction in seeing the finish line almost bought tears to my eyes )well, just an expression, i don't cry..!)

London - Hastings (Preview)

 Just an initial preview of the 61 mile ride from London (Crystal Palace) to Hastings. Seems to be an interesting ride with a gradual ascent towards hastings and then a final descent towards the sea side town of Hastings.

Holla in case if any of you see this message and want to ride along. I am not very fast on my single speed, and hope to complete the entire course, preferably non stop in around 4Hr15 - 4Hr30Min.

More info on this event over here..

The Event beneficary is off course BHF. 

Please feel free to support me by clicking the link above near the header of this page.

More info and pics post the event.!! wish me luck.!!

Cheerio.

London Triathlon - Pics

Pics now available at Sportcam's website

Bib Number - 11518.

London triathlon - 7th August (Review)

A fantastic event. Been told it is the largest triathlon event held in the world, and it certainly looked so. Must comment on the event organisation and was extremely well organised.

More news and  report on the event soon to follow.

London Triathlon - Preview (10 KM Run)

We are the Bishopsgate broncos. After a last minute cancellation by our rider and swimmer, both due to injuries, managed to find replacements in the nick of time. Chris Kateifides is now going to be riding for us and Emma Gandy would be our swimmer.

Our start time is at 11:30 on the 7th August, Saturday.

More info on the event to follow after the completion of the event.

Watch this space..

Photo Shoot - ME..!

Thanks to Graham Colgate, did a great photo shoot today. The venue for the shoot was at Graham's flat, over at Epsom. Fantastic little studio at his place, perfect for a portfolio shoot.

More updates and photos to be added soon.

Cheers all.

London (Richmond) - Bath, UK - Good Cycle route

View Larger Map

London - Cambridge (Review)

Finally did it - Completed the 60+ mile London - Cambridge ride in just under 5 hours.

More in depth report and review to follow soon. Just attached a picture of my speedometer along with my Certificate and route map, below.

Watch this Space...

Review below:

London - Cambridge Ride (Preview)

All

Doing the London-Cambridge ride this Sunday, 25th July, 2010., for Breakthrough Breast Cancer It is a 60 mile route and is supposed to be a very scenic route. I have a 10 mile ride to the Starting point, hence making it a total distance of around 70 miles for the day.

The weather forecast for the day is supposed to be hot at 26 Degrees Celsius. Out come the sun block cream guess..!

If anyone else doing the ride please feel free to comment on this message and we could perhaps catch up at the venue or at the finish line.

More news to follow soon. Watch this space....

London - SouthEnd Bike Ride - Report

Awesome day - An awesome ride. My first long distance outer city ride, and it was a good one.

Cycled to Victoria park which was around 8 miles and a bit from my place over at Marlybone high street. The ride to the park was a great ride through the city of London. Great time to be out in the city, especially being a Sunday and before 7:00 AM..!

Cross training

Been running to work since this week, in preparation for the London triathlon, as i am doing the 10K run for the team. - The Bishopsgate Broncos..!

Cross training seems to be taking its toll, as my shoulders are not in its best state, and i am in slight discomfort across my shoulder area. But would want to keep up the running, at least until the triathlon, taking place on the 8th of August. Details in my earlier post, below.

Watch this space for more updates

London to SouthEnd - This Sunday (Preview)

Alright ppl, it is finally nearing the day i would be doing my first long distance ride - London to SouthEnd. It seems to be a gentle ascent course of 61 miles, from Victoria park in the east end of London to Priory Park in SouthEnd.

To take it another notch, i plan to EVEN CYCLE BACK the entire distance.! this would off course depend on my health and fitness conditions as well as mental fatigue.

Watch this space for latest news and updates about the ride, including pictures, routes and the clatter..!

My Machine - crossing the 500 mile mark

Crossing the 500 mile mark...

Central London - Richmond Park Route

A good 30 mile return route right from the heart of London to the picturesque landscapes of Richmond Park. Holla in case if anyone needed any more information on this route. Send me a message on my Contact Me Page


Thanks.. and have a good ride..

read more for detailed route taken

Good websites for Charity Rides and other similar events

I am trying to create a repository of websites useful for charity events and rides. This shall keep growing as and when i get to know about new sites and links. Please let me know if you come across any, and i shall have them updated as we go.

Saturday Morning ride

Anyone up for a 'Round the Richmond park' ride..?? Holla....

It would be a combination of road and slightly off road course.

Scheduled start time 10:30 AM (Sunday 10th July, 2010) - East Sheen gate. Please see the details map of Richmond park below.

Please click here for the exact route taken

More details in due course.

J P Morgan Chase - Corporate Challenge

Finally completed the grueling 5.6 KM run..! (:-P)

Technically not a cycle ride, nevertheless, still a good cause towards charity.

My approximate guess of the time completed is below 30 min.

More updates and pics below, click more to view them all.

My First Sponsor

Guys from the LondonGroove - The best parties in the city of London.

Thanks Steve and team - really appreciate the contribution. As promised, special gifts for the team once the challenge is complete.

Do join LondonGroove on Facebook over here... to know the latest events and the best parties in town.

Richmond park ride

04th July - Independence day Ride..!

Cycled close to 30 miles today, a fantastic day to cycle in London - clear blue skies, 25 degrees Celsius, cant ask for more.!

Route taken :

• Marlybone high street - Richmond park (via kings road, Chelsea - Putney bridge - Upper Richmond road).
• entered Richmond park through the East Sheen gate - cycled right through the park, through the lawn plantation across the hill, down to queens road and finally reached the Kingston gate at the other end.

My machine

The Specialized Globe San Fransisco 1

A great little single speed hybrid bike. Clocked over 450 miles in the last 2 months, since i got the bike.

Upcoming Charity Run and Bike rides

27th June 2010 - London Bikeathon - 48 Miles  - COMPLETED....

• Route around London
  
• Event Beneficiary - Leukemia and Lymphoma Research
  
• Donated 400.00 GBP
  
• Completed in 3hr and 45 minutes..!
• event photographs here... (Badge number - 3498)
  

6th July 2010 - J P Morgan Chase run - 5 KM  - COMPLETED....

• Around Battersea park
  
• Event Beneficiary - Capital FM Help a London Child
• RBS Company sponsorship
• Completed in 29:26
• Click here for details
  

18th July - London to SouthEnd - 61 Miles  - COMPLETED....

• London Victoria park to SouthEnd Pier
• Event Beneficiary - BHF
• Self sponsored

25th July - London to Cambridge - 57 Miles  - COMPLETED....

• London to Victoria Ave, Cambridge
• Event Beneficiary - Breakthrough Breast Cancer
• Self Sponsored

8th August - London Triathlon - 10 KM Run  - COMPLETED....

• 1 in a team of 3 - running 10 KM
• Event Beneficiary - MacMillan cancer support
• Self sponsored

29th August - London to Hastings - 61 miles

• Crystal Palace, London to Grosvenor Gardens, East Sussex
• Event Beneficiary - BHF
• Self sponsored

5th September - London to Windsor - 37 Miles

• Richmond, Surrey to Alexandra Gardens, Barry Avenue
• Event Beneficiary - BHF
• Self sponsored

12th September - London Duathlon - 10K Run/20K Ride/5K run

• Richmond Park,London
• Event Beneficiary -  none, self sponsored

26th September - Cycle the Wight 2010 - 70 Miles

• 70 miles cycle ride around the Isle of Wight
• Event Beneficiary - BHF
• Self sponsored

11th november - 21st November - Cuban Revolution Cycle - 350 KM

• Epic cycle ride from Havana, Cube to trinidad, Cuba - over 10 days.
• Event Beneficiary - SOS Children's Villages
• Self Sponsored - Minimum sponsorship of 3000 GBP