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

Friday, 19 July 2013

Day 4 - Unknown Territory....


Now the Day 4numbers and a moment of reflection....




It was a positively cool 31 degrees today (!) with less climbing than yesterday - consequently the boys were on fire!! By the lunch stop we had 8 legs again which was a bonus with the only low point of the day a WNF moment (close friends will know what that means!!) later in the evening!!

The stats for the day are:

76.08 miles
Calories 3458
Elevation Gain 1072 metres
Completed in 5hours 18 minutes 39 seconds
Average speed 14.4mph

We are now in totally unknown cycling territory...no one on this trip has cycled this far before - let's hope tomorrow is kind (fingers crossed for slightly overcast, tailwind, dry & around 18 degrees).
Something tells me I won't get my wish.

It is soul destroying to see your child gritting his teeth and creeping up hills out the saddle all the way in immense heat. It makes you feel equal parts sick & close to tears as well as guilty and humbled...
You question whether you are doing the right thing letting him do this...he is 11 years old. How much more character building does he need??....

Please, please donate and let him know that you get why he is doing this - it is so so important to him.

Thank you...

Jo
xx

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