Swanny's 160km ride for MS

[Captain Stubing]

Hi Guys and Gals,

I have signed up to take part in a fund raising event in just over eight weeks (June 18), in which I'll be riding my bicycle (no motors attached!) for 160 kilometres, or 100 miles (roughly) in old school terms.

This is my chance to do something which challenges myself, and gives me the opportunity to raise money for a worthwhile cause. Money raised goes towards helping people affected by Multiple Schlerosis, providing special equipment, accommodation, special care and more.

MS can affect people young and old, can steal a persons mobility, sight, motor functions etc, and as yet there is no cure.

At this moment I cannot ride the full distance of 160km, and I've got eight weeks to train and prepare for the ride. The ride will probably take me between 6 and 7 hours to complete.

I took up cycling about 5 years ago, and found that it eased the constant pain in my lower back from a motorcycle accident. I turned 50 late last year, so my body is going to be fighting me on this one, I reckon!

Anyway, if you have a spare couple of dollars, all donations will be appreciated, and will keep me motivated while I train for this event.

If you are feeling benevolent, click on this link to help me out...

Swanny's Fund Raising

Thanks in advance, and any advice will be taken on board!


(Darrell) Swanny.

[prydey]

You'll do fine mate.

I chipped in a bit for you. Its not much but hopefully you appreciate the gesture.

Good luck.

[Captain Stubing]

Cheers, Prydey! Every bit helps and is greatly appreciated.

I've just got to get out there and turn the pedals a lot in the coming weeks.

[Sox]

Great effort mate, you'll kill it.

[Captain Stubing]

Well, I have to give my thanks to the Ford Forum Community, both members and the Admin team, for helping me to reach my $1500 fund raising goal.

It's great to be part of such a caring community, with a whole bunch of generous members donating to my cause in the background.

But that's no reason not to chip in, to give you the feel goods! I've still got 41 days of training to go. I'm planning to do about 110k ride this week... the longest ride I've done yet, but it's all about getting my body used to doing something for a looonnggg time.

So help a middle aged bloke out in his quest to do good, if you can.

[GasoLane]

You realise that regardless of your condition we will require photos of you having fun as you go.

[Captain Stubing]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

You realise that regardless of your condition we will require photos of you having fun as you go.

I may be able to accomodate that... sweaty in-pain selfies in lycra, just for you!

[Captain Stubing]

Well, the weekend of my ride has arrived, Sunday morning at about 6.15am is when I start my long ride.

I've just done the sums, and since I started training for this ride I've ridden a total of 1,323km. I've done this by riding to work, riding home the long way (67km one day) and a few longer rides on my days off. My longest ride so far has been about 126km, and boy that hurt!!!

In hindsight, I could have trained differently and better, but I'm going into Sunday morning with a positive attitude (even though it's going to hurt big time!)

Sponsor me for this cause, it's one that I see actually spends money on what they stand for! For example, MS Qld bought a 3/4 acre sight in my local area, and have built a number of units to house people suffering MS to give them assisted living. Can't say that about 'charities' sending our money overseas! I prefer to keep our charity at home.

Anyway, I'll be out there on Sunday morning, pedalling over 160km, climbing about 1500 metres in hills.

Thankyou to those of you in the Ford Community who have supported me thus far...

Next update... post 100 miles.

[Mont5.0]

You got this swanny!

[GasoLane]

Keep your hat on, you don't want to get that new racing stripe on your head sunburnt .

[Cav]

Maybe I should join ya for part of the way

[Captain Stubing]

Originally Posted by Cav

Maybe I should join ya for part of the way

image

Now there's an incentive to keep moving!

[Sox]

Good luck tomorrow mate!

[Captain Stubing]

Originally Posted by Sox

Good luck tomorrow mate!

Thanks mate!

Just finished checking the bike, lubricate the chain, loaded with high protein muesli bars and energy gels, two spare tubes and a puncture repair kit, CO2 canisters (smaller than a pump!), water bottle filled, GPS charged...

All ready to go!




Thank you to all who have generously donated towards this cause, It's truly kept me motivated in the preparation, and will help me get through the last couple of hours, where I'm sure I'll be hurting!

I'll update tomorrow!

[Captain Stubing]

Well, the ride has well and truly been done.

I started off at about 6.20am, temps were a nice 15 degrees. The first part of the ride went fairly quick, and I was soon enjoying the sights of Brisbane's bayside.

Then I reached the 90km mark, turned a corner and there was the first of the hills. Hills aren't too bad, you just knuckle in work the legs, but then the hills became longer, and some of the riders were seen giving in and walking up. That's not how it's done!

There was a last drink/food stop at the 30km mark, and from there the worst of the hills turned up. Long hills, then steep hills, then long and steep hills!

Anyway, I beat them all!

For the stats people, I covered 6hrs and 15 minutes, climbing 1777 vertical meters, with an average speed of 24.9km/hr. I spent an hour and ten minutes either at rest tops or at traffic lights not moving.

A huge thanks to all those who sponsored me in my efforts, all up we raised $2100 to go towards people suffering from Multiple Scleroses. I got to say G'day to a few sufferers of MS along the way, as well at the finish line cheering all the riders on.

Thank you guys and gals, from myself and victims of MS.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by swanny

Well, the ride has well and truly been done.

I started off at about 6.20am, temps were a nice 15 degrees. The first part of the ride went fairly quick, and I was soon enjoying the sights of Brisbane's bayside.

Then I reached the 90km mark, turned a corner and there was the first of the hills. Hills aren't too bad, you just knuckle in work the legs, but then the hills became longer, and some of the riders were seen giving in and walking up. That's not how it's done!

There was a last drink/food stop at the 30km mark, and from there the worst of the hills turned up. Long hills, then steep hills, then long and steep hills!

Anyway, I beat them all!

For the stats people, I covered 6hrs and 15 minutes, climbing 1777 vertical meters, with an average speed of 24.9km/hr. I spent an hour and ten minutes either at rest tops or at traffic lights not moving.

A huge thanks to all those who sponsored me in my efforts, all up we raised $2100 to go towards people suffering from Multiple Scleroses. I got to say G'day to a few sufferers of MS along the way, as well at the finish line cheering all the riders on.

Thank you guys and gals, from myself and victims of MS.

[prydey]

well done mate. nothing like pushing the bar out a bit further. now to crack the double ton in a ride.

i like the epic rides more than the short rides, esp if they are out in the country rather than city.

now you know mentally you can do 160, so makes it easier next time knowing mentally you can do it. so many battles won and lost between the ears

will check strava later.

[Burnout]

Well done Mr. Swan!

[Sox]

Good work Swanny.

[Captain Stubing]

Thanks, Gents!

[DBourne]

Kudos Sir!