Ride for Joss: July 2012

Who is Joss and why am I doing this?

Joss was a boy at my school who was in a lot of the same classes and sports teams as me. He walked a bit funny and found somethings a bit hard but underneath it all, he was just like the rest of my friends.

In September 2010 we went back to School after the summer holidays and Joss looked a lot more poorly than he had.....he needed a walker and didn't play sport anymore.

In January he had to go into hospital for an operation. I remember School telling us in Assembly that he had done really well and was a lot better. Then, when I got home, Mum sat me down and told me that Joss had died. I was really confused and thought she had got it wrong, I told Mum that school said he was going to be OK...I got quite upset and cried...I didn't understand how he just wouldn't be around anymore. It wasn't until after he died I was told he had a brain tumour..

Why I am doing this ride?.....Because my friend died, and I still miss him...and it's not fair...

Joss's Mum and Dad set up a charity in his name to help other people suffering with brain tumours and you can read all about Joss and the brilliant stuff they do to help at www.jossparkessearchlight.org.uk

Please follow my training progress and also the ride itself and show your support on Twitter @rideforjoss and on Facebook RideForJoss

I am also on Virgin Giving as Max Wellstead - RideForJoss - any donation you can make will make a big difference!

Thanks Max

Sunday, 29 July 2012

First ride since the big un!!

23mile round trip to drop off shirts back to Team MK!!
Still in Yellow!!!

Wednesday, 18 July 2012

We Did It!!!

We did it, we are home....300.8 miles
Tired but triumphant!!

Winslow, almost home!!

Bicester lunch stop

The Penny black Pub in the high street

266 miles in....

A few facts about Max that you may not know...as well as being an 'uber-cyclist', Max is also a DJ (DJ Marmite) and a pretty good Dinghy sailor!!

He is also a chronic migraine sufferer...

His migraines are brought on by many things, among them de-hydration, over-tiredness and stressful situations.

But he's out there cycling 300miles in the pouring rain for his friend Joss who died of a brain tumour...

Please, if you haven't already, visit

http://virginmoneygiving.com/rideforjoss

Love a very very very proud Mum

Kirtlington 270miles

Burford cake stop

Yum - Cake!

Lechlade Christmas shop

Dear Santa - For Christmas I would like a new pair of padded pants.....

Nr lechlade

Oh NO it's starting to rain.....

Start of the final day!!

The team leave for the final day..

Tuesday, 17 July 2012

In yellow!! Oh yes!!!

Move over Wiggo!!

Arrived!!

MILEAGE FOR TODAY

72.32miles

6hours 38minutes

3615Calories

Total so far:

229.79miles

21Hours 49minutes

11,297 Calories

Late Lunch for the Guys...

Max is looking a little tired now...

We made it!!!

Top of the Hill - Top of the World!!

Big hill ahead!!!

Big Hills - and yes, you've guessed it - more cows...!!

Tytherington

Comfort Break required!!

Cow encounter results

Not a good look...

Really Dad - Lost again??

It's still not a cycle path Dad!

View from the Bridge is Great

Back on on the Bridge!!

What a difference a day makes!!

Caldicott station


Meeting up with the 'super domestiques'....Andrew and Dan

Leaving Newport

Departing Cardiff and the sun is out!

Monday, 16 July 2012

Day 3 pm - Massive Ride.....

Massive ride today:

3445calories

7hrs 26mins moving

73.88miles

Headwind the whole way! We encountered a closed bridge and a fairly crucial closed bridleway (hence the bigger mileage) I think we put 5miles extra on from the detours.

Haven't told Max the distance yet!!!

Max's Dad

Uh - Oh.... Bridge Closed!

Phew- Bridge Open!!

Bike Track - Really???

Finally - Arrive Cardiff

DAY 3 LUNCH TIME

A lunchtime stop - well deserved...

Now I'm smiling again!!

On the bridge!!!

Nearly at the bridge

Nearly there.....

We can see the bridge!!

In the mist!!

Hill Book Box and DVDs!!

Stonehouse

Bevington

I could do with a cheeky Bevvie!! Still raining! On the plus side we can't get any wetter!!

Glad we changed the route!

Departing Gloucester

It's still dry....keep your fingers crossed!!!

Max

Day 3 Still Smiling!!

Bad weather today - wind and rain forecast :(......

Grannie and Grandpa are here though so I'm stil smiling!!!!

:))))

Sunday, 15 July 2012

The Journey So Far...

From Saturday's Grand Depart to Sunday's arrival in Gloucester

Journey so far. Details: http://bit.ly/NsrppZ

calories 4,237
hours 7 45
average speed 10.8 mph
elevation gain 1190 metres
Max Speed 37.5 mph
distance 83.59 miles

Just looked at the figures on the above link for ride - at the end the boys dropped from 953ft at 76 miles to 84ft at 80 miles..that's 1 big down hill - Max say's he had his brakes on the whole time!!

Hurray - Welcome to Gloucester...

Arrived in Gloucester after a brilliant days ride!

Max is doing so well and the messages of support we have received over the last 24 hours have been wonderful and mean so much.

Thank you to everyone who is keeping our name out there on Twitter and Facebook!!

Spreading The Word

Little brother Fin handing out leaflets to cyclists in Winslow....

Water or Road?

Water or Road, Water or Road.....

Max - WATER!!!!

Max beating dad up the hills'

Coming from Lower Dean....

Max is the one in the very distance kicking his Dad's butt up the hill!!

Go for it Max

x

Sherbourne house

Morning Smoothies in Burford

Well a boy's got to keep his energy reserves up!!
Thanks to Hacketts Coffee Shop in Burford and the Screech-Dean Massive

Attention !!!

Through and out the other side of Brize Norton - I could tell you all about it -

But I'd have to kill you!!

Max

Yelling Ford!!!

New Game!!

Next Fiesta, Focus or KA we see....watch out

Max

Day 2

Good Morning,

Woke up, had a brilliant cyclist breakfast (porridge!!) and got on the road by 8.00am.

My legs are feeling great (but it is only 8.20!!)....