Pedalling for Pounds-Doing it for Dreamflight!

and i would ride 200 miles and i would ride 200 more...

2009-08-31T11:19:00.000-07:00

I MADE IT!!! Well after 10 days and much pedalling at 1 o clock this afternoon I made it to Glasgow Airport, where I was met by a selection of Flinstones.

This has been maybe the toughest and yet the most rewarding I have yet to undertake. Yes there were days when I wondered if it was worth it, namely the one where I was hit by a tractor, yes there were days when the aches and pains got too much but overall the highs outweighed the lows.

The views were spectacular, the sense of achievement was great and most of all the support of all of my friends was overwhelming.

On that note I have a few thank yous to make. Thanks to Louisa for planning my route and driving it with me months ago. Thanks to Alison for sorting out my fitness programme and giving me advice right until the end on how to get through it.

Also a big thank you to Kirsty for driving the route with me and making sure I arrived in Glasgow in one albeit slightly battered piece.

Thank you to all the Flinstones for meeting me at Glasgow, and Gill for putting Kirsty and I up for the night today.

Nearly done, thanks to the best Mum in the world, for believing in me, supporting me from the minute I got this crazy idea in my head and keeping me sane throughout the 10 days.

Finally, thank you to each and everyone of you - your emails, texts and phone calls have been a constant source of support and I am eternally grateful.

I'll pop a photo of the finish up later - oh and it looks like I'll clear the £3,000.

For now that is all from me!!

Laura x

oh and if you want to come and meet me tomorrow...

2009-08-30T10:38:00.000-07:00

the i will hopefully be at the address below at 1 ish

Express By Holiday Inn
GLASGOW AIRPORT
ST ANDREWS DRIVE,
GLASGOW ARPT
PAISLEY, PA3 2TJ
SCOTLAND

Thank you and Goodnight xx

1 more sleep until it's done

2009-08-30T09:53:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,
Well tonight I am in Abington and I think it's fair to say that neither I or Kirsty can wait for tomorrow when I reach Glasgow airport.

Today was good, bizarrely the majority of the 40 miles was downhill, which was fantastic. The ride overall has been good, the highs have been high and the lows have been low - and I'm talking both hills and moods.

But the important thing is I've nearly made it. The post below has a few shots for you to look at.

Hope you are all doing good - thanks for the continued support.

Laura x

some photos for you

2009-08-30T09:49:00.000-07:00

We're over the border!!!

2009-08-29T10:40:00.000-07:00

Ladies and Gentlemen we are in Scotland - in Gretna Green. Day 8 of the ride was remarkably downhill, yes there were a few killer hills but the majority was fairly flat! The biggest thing I had to struggle with was the wind. There were some serious cross winds and head winds to battle against but even so I made good time and am happy there's only 80 miles of this adventure left.

For the Scottish contingent reading this the first words uttered to me once I crossed the border were "sorry pal, after you hen!" and suddenly I felt back in Flintstone territory.

The photos don't seem to be uploading will put them on my justgiving page later - damn technology!!

Anyways time for some grub me thinks. As always thanks for the texts etc they are getting me through the tough bits!

Laura x

3 days of cycling left...and yes I am counting!!

2009-08-28T09:27:00.000-07:00

Well today was day 7 of the ride, seven is my lucky number, well i thought it was. The rain came, the hills came and the signal on mine and kirsty's mobiles went - thus meaning i had to do little bursts of cycling so that we didn't loose each other.

Also with rain comes damp, and my ankle ached in protest!! But enough of the negative stuff, we are here in Appleby-in-Westmoreland in one piece. We have settled in and are off to the pub over the road in a little while for dinner.

This post will be quite short as because we are in the middle of nowehere, the signal is bad and I keep loosing connection. I know I owe you all some photos but I will upload them in Gretna where connection will hopefully be lengthier.

Its also bloody freezing up here - i'm surviving but i think Kirsty may be an icicle by morning!

As always thanks for your messages - i really am looking forward to Monday now and even more so to Tuesday and sleeping in my own bed!

Until tomorrow, Laura x

My sun dance worked...

2009-08-27T08:48:00.000-07:00

...well it was more a hop on my good foot, but hey the sun shined all day today so that's the important thing. That and another 40 miles have been ticked off the total so that's 240 down 160 to go!!

Today was a little bizarre, I was chased / tracked by a herd of cows along a dry stone wall as I rode past their field, which although there was a wall between us, was a little unnerving! I was also chased by a lovely black labrador as I ran past her farm, she came and said hello and then let me on my way.

The cycling today was definitely up hill and down dale but the views more than made up for it -spectacular. You definitely cannot beat England when the sun is shining and as I cycled through what can only be described as "Emmerdale" land I found myself humming Jerusalem - think I need to get out more.

We did take photos today but haven't had a chance to upload them yet so I'll put up a load either later or tomorrow.

Hope everyone is doing ok, i really appreciate all your support, texts and phone calls, as well as all the emails. This is living up to the challenge i knew it would be and I know that I wouldn't be doing it without you all backing me.

Anyways back to the important stuff, DVDs and dinner are calling. Bye for now!
Laura x

HALF WAY DAY!!!!

2009-08-26T10:04:00.000-07:00

Hellooooooo lovely people! Today is half way day - half of my pedalling is done!! I would like to say that it has been a piece of cake, but that would just be lying.

Today was a mixed bag, the rain came, the chain came off my bike, but on the upside we made it half way, the hotel is good, and I met Muriel's friend for a cuppa.

I am also managing to gather some extra sponsorship along the way which is great but if any of you want to sponsor me and you've forgotten the address (!) its www.justgiving.com/pedallingforpounds

Anyway, off for some dinner in a bit, but as alsways thank you for the texts, emails and phone calls - they really do help!!

Laura x

This cyclist is sponsored by Boots the Chemist

2009-08-25T11:25:00.000-07:00

Evening all, well Day Four is over and I am safely and sorely in Sheffield, home of steel, spoons, Sean Bean and probably various other things beginning with S. The ankle is no better but then I am still riding on it, so its long soaks in the bath and lots of medication until Monday evening.

Had a great night yesterday, Kirsty's friends Helen and Laura took us to the "beach" in Nottingham, with fake sand, sea and cocktails. Then set off bright and early this morning to get from Long Eaton to Sheffield. Well the lack of hills yesterday was certainly made up for today, not in quantity but quality (if you can call it that!). One of them was 2 miles long and might as well have been vertical. Because of my ankle I had to walk up it, which took a while but was still done for the day by half 3. Other than the hills there was some spectacular views including the one above- that Kirsty took out of the car - Maureen don't read that bit!!

Also here's a shot of me outside our hotel, apologies for the lack of bike kit but I was in the bath before I realised we hadn't taken it.

The sponsorship went up a bit yesterday so thanks to those of you that have donated. Again thanks for all the texts and emails they are very much appreciated.

Laura x

Feel the fear and do it anyway!

2009-08-24T06:43:00.000-07:00

Ok I'll be totally honest with you all, after yesterday's encounter with the tractor, I was more than a little nervous about getting back on my bike, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. After dosing myself up with ibruprofen and porridge, i set off on the 40 miles to Long Eaton.

For the most part it was fairly flat, and the bits that weren't were gradual inclines, which was great because my right knee and ankle are in poor shape at the minute.

Kirsty is combining her role of driver with navigator and troubleshooter and gives me regular updates of "magic" roundabouts that aren't on sat nav but suddenly present themselves to you. We did also laugh alot when we went through the village of Quorn, this cycling is sending us delirious!

Anyway have finished today's stint -off into town to buy painkillers and supplies before grabbing dinner. Then this evening two of Kirsty's friends are coming to meet us for drinks.

As always thanks for all your support. Laura x

if bad luck comes in 3s can we skip to next Tuesday!

2009-08-23T10:07:00.000-07:00

Ok so I've got a sneaky suspicion that this bike ride malarkey isn't going to go smoothly - but hey it's meant to challenge me. Day 2 was completed in 6 hours - was meant to be about 4 and a half and was well on track, until I got knocked off of the bike by a speeding farm vehicle!

I, dear reader, was catapulted into middle of the road, still attached to my bike by foot straps and thinking "ok i've survived a 3 car pile up on the m25 but am going to be finished off by a tractor?!?!".

I have a very battered right knee,think purple, red and grazes, and the bike took a pounding too. Thankfully there was a Halfords nearby by so after scaring Kirsty witless and putting the bike on the car my trusty stead was repaired. Chain replaced, brake uncrumpled but still with some impressive war wounds to the handle bars.

Having completed the last four miles the bike is now resting in our room, Kirsty and I have eaten a Sunday Roast and are just off to the local for swift half...of orange juice.

Hope you are all well, thanks for the texts and phone calls - oh yes and well done England in getting those Ashes back.

Laura x

40 miles down 360 ti go!!

2009-08-22T13:09:00.000-07:00

Well I made it - 40 miles later and a

few teething problems down I arrived in Leighton Buzzard in one piece.

First things first a great big Thank you to all of you that came to Cranebank to wave me off, Mum, Gail & Robert, Laird & Lairdy Carne, Ruth, Sarah, Alex, Jess & Taylor, Melanie, Georgia and Alexander and Lynsey it was great that you were all there - although I think it was probably to make sure I went.

We had a few problems with sat nav, namely that we didn't cross check them and that I took a wrong turn - but hey we live and learn. Also about half way through my gears felt a bit odd turns out I did most of today in one gear so the rest will be a doddle- or that's what I'm telling myself.

To finish off, here's the proof of me reaching the end today - again thanks for all your support.

Catch up tomorrow

Laura x

1 more sleep to go!

2009-08-21T12:24:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Well the time is nearly here for me to get pedalling and make my way 400 miles North for Dreamflight. I've spent the day checking my kit, packing clothes and generally trying to convince myself that I'm not totally insane....it's NOT WORKING!!

The plan is for me to update the blog daily with photos etc and if you want to contact me then you can email me at pedallingforpounds@live.com

I've got this really weird mix of anxiety and excitement going on at the moment but I know that no matter how knackered I am on Day 10, it'll be worth it. All of you have been so generous and I am very nearly at my target of £3,000 - I can't thank you enough.

I'm leaving Cranebank (near Hatton Cross - TW4 6JR) at 10am tomorrow morning so if any of you want to give up your Saturday lie-in and come and wave me off, it would be great to see you.

Until tomorrow evening, thanks for all the support, please keep sending me positive thoughts and hope that I don't get any p words (you know the one that rhymes with juncture!).

Laura x

Another milestone!

2009-08-18T23:04:00.000-07:00

Well I know I said I wouldn't be back on here until Friday, but I had to come on here this morning as overnight I've broken through the £2,000 barrier in sponsorship. I just want to say a massive Thank You to all of you that have sponsored me so far, it really means a lot to me. Also a special thank you to all of those anonymous donors - I wish I coul thank you properly, and also to those friends of friends who have sponsored me too - you are all fab!!

Will be back on here on Friday with some final preparation stuff, panicked ramblings and of course begging for sponsorship. Speaking of which, if you haven't already sponsored me, here's the link www.justgiving.com/pedallingforpounds

Again many thanks for all your support.
Laura x

What a week!

2009-08-14T09:54:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone! Well I've gone from the sublime to the ridiculous(!) Last week I was saying how I'd had a great week, that I was now going on this year's Dreamflight and training was going well.

This week has been slightly less fortuitous. On Tuesday to driving to work on the M25 I had a crash. More accurately somebody spun across 2 lanes into me and shunted me into the central reservation. The up shot is my car's a write off, but I walked away without a single scratch - someone was obviously smiling down on me!

So training has been a bit more sporadic this week and I've probably got a couple of long rides to do in the next three or four days before I need to stop and start conserving energy for the bike ride next Saturday.

Life is still busy, busy, busy. Tomorrow I am going to meet my cousin Louise's little girl and then off to see Shakespeare in the Park - very cultured of me I know.

You all know subtlety is NOT my middle name so here's the link for my website www.justgiving.com/pedallingforpounds - Thanks to all that have sponsored me so far and to all of you that are clicking the link... NOW!

I'll probably do one last update on Friday before I set off on Saturday morning and then keep your eyes peeled for daily updates and photos throughout my adventure.

As always Thanks for the support.
Laura x

I'VE REACHED THE HALFWAY POINT...

2009-08-08T01:07:00.001-07:00

....of my fundraising!! A great big huge THANK YOU to everyone that has sponsored me so far and helped me raise £1,500 for Dreamflight. That's basically half of a Dreamflight holiday for one child- so Thanks!!x. To all of you that haven't yet, please please PLEASE (I can beg if you want me to!!) sponsor me. The link to my fundraising site is www.justgiving.com/pedallingforpounds

Have had, it has to be said, a GREAT week this week. Training is progressing nicely back to back long rides a couple of times in the week (and the body didn't complain) and then another 20 mile round ride tomorrow. Off to QPR today I just hope the boys will make the trip worthwhile and get the season off to a great start with a win!

Also the infamous Muriel (Group Leader of the Glasgow Dreamflight contingent aka The Flintstones) rang me on Thursday to say I am going on the trip again this year as an Escort. I can honestly say I haven't stopped smiling yet. :-D

Next update soon (I'm training myself to be better at updating this page!) Thanks again for all your support and well wishes it makes it so much easier!!x

22 days and counting!!

2009-08-01T07:57:00.000-07:00

Wow! Where did all that time go?!?!?

So here we are in August already and the time for me to embark on my insane ride up the road is drawing ever nearer.

Apologies that I have been so rubbish at updating this but I promise that will change from now on.

So since we last "met", I have got myself an all singing all dancing road bike, that is super light weight, which means I only have to really drag my weight up the hills and not a bike too.

Have been out training hard and am averaging about 10 miles an hour which means the 40 a day target I have set myself is looking very achievable.

Anyway, I will keep you all posted - but here is my route: Heathrow, leighton Buzzard, Market Harborough, Long Eaton, Sheffield, Wetherby, Leyburn, Appleby-in -Westmoreland, Gretna, Abington and then finally Glasgow!!

For those of you that haven't sponsored me yet, I know it's just because you haven't got round to it, so here's a handy link to the fundraising page www.justgiving.com/pedallingforpounds

Thanks as always for your support, it means a lot!

Laura x

So...I've driven the route...does that count?!??!

2009-01-30T10:38:00.000-08:00

On Monday my route planner (Louisa) and I headed north in her trusty stead to Glasgow. The aim was to drive most of the route, check out the terrain, where I was going to stay and generally use the trip to focus the mind!!

Louisa and I are very puzzled how despite going North the route I am taking is not especially hilly - except what will be Day 9 - I may fit an engine to my bike for that day! Despite some hair raising roads through the North of England (all driven very skilfully - not by me I hasten to add), the trip was a great success.

Anyway am off for another stint on the bike - keep on pedalling!

90 KM AND THAT'S JUST A WARM UP!

2008-12-12T11:10:00.000-08:00

So, Wednesday saw me launch my bike ride at BA's head office. For four hours on their annual Charities Day I cycled on my exercise bike and ran a competition to guess how many kilometres I'd cycle in that time. Despite the fact that I had never planned for meeting Willie Walsh-the boss of BA- wearing Lycra shorts and a Dreamflight T-shirt whilst trying to maintain a shred a dignity the day was a great success. I cycled 90k which is about 54 miles - roughly 10 miles more than what I want to cycle each day in April. Admittedly there weren't many hills on my exercise bike but it's a good start.

In the last couple of days one of the children, from the Flintstones (also known as the Glasgow group) who I was an Escort with in 2005-2006, has passed away. It has completely focused me and made me even more determined to pedal "up the road" next Spring.

Watch this space for the next update.....TTFN!

Hello and Welcome to my Blog

2008-12-08T13:23:00.000-08:00

Hiya

Let me start off by telling you a bit about myself and "Pedalling for Pounds". My name is Laura Shave, I work for British Airways and in April 2009 I will be cycling from London to Glasgow...yes London to Glasgow... over 400 miles, to raise money for Dreamflight.

Dreamflight was set up by two BA cabin crew members over twenty years ago and every year takes 192 terminally ill and or seriously disabled children on a holiday of lifetime to Orlando, Florida.

I have been fortunate enough to go on the Dreamflight as a Non-Medical Escort on three separate occasions and have witnessed the effect that the trip has on the children.

That's why I decided to set myself this crazy challenge, to help raise funds so that Dreamflight can continue to have a positive impact on the lives of some truly inspirational young people.

Over the coming weeks and months I'll keep you updated with my progress - in the mean time though...Thanks for your support!