Induction at Herne Hill Velodrome

After somehow managing to navigate my way through the backroads of Streatham and then Tulse Hill, I ended up here at London's only outdoor Velodrome..

I'd come here today as it was Induction day, which without having undertaken you can't race on the track. About 30 of us all turned up and then filled in a form, got given a coloured band (which I'm still not sure why) and then those without fixed-wheel track bikes (like me) were then sized up and given one to be used for the session.

The size of the track is actually pretty small, but it's smooth and banked which together = high speed capability.. I witnessed a proper training session before we all took to the track, and I thought these guys were fast, but only until I actually rode on the track did I realise how fast they must have been going!..

Having never ridden on a fixed-wheel bike (which takes some getting used to in itself) I managed to adjust to it pretty quick and learnt how to track ride, carefully. There were a couple in my group who when I was paired up with (in 4's and then sprint, lead, drop to the back etc) who did go a bit too fast for my liking - and riding on the bars, around the banks my heart did race a bit.

But, it was both at the same time exhilarating and apart from one or two hairy moments I had a great time. The hours just whizzed past (I arrived at 11:30am and left at about 2pm).

Looking forward to going back next week and doing a bit more circuit training. Below is a video of the instructor giving us the overview, next week should have one of me racing..

What a lovely day!

After making much progress on the Jersey designs today and feeling quite pleased with myself after a good days work, cycling back with my camera through Clapham on my normal route I stopped at the common to take this picture.

Recently I've been working late, and when I've cycled past at about 7/8pm or so, the sunset over the pond has been just amazing!..

This doesn't really do it that much justice, but it's a wonderful reminder of the world I'm so lucky to live in, and is a far cry from those children's lives who without the support of Pebbles wouldn't be so enjoyable...

Keep up the donations all, please!!!...

Working with Designers

Over the last few weeks I've been working with a design company to come up with our Pebbles Jerseys, over the last couple of days it's been pretty frantic!..

I'm close to agreeing a design, but I must get it finalised today, so that a proof can be printed (in Germany) and shipped over here in time for Wednesday to finalise any areas that need improving.

It's worth mentioning the designers have been really hands-on and no change has been a problem, or slow for that matter. Really very impressed with them.

It's looking pretty good I must say - a gold/yellow check pattern, with black and white trim. Some examples to follow but keep those eyes for the design within the next few days/weeks.

Rememeber, we''ll be making 50 or so, which will be availble for sale for roughly £40-£50 (all proceeds to go to our donation page) - if you're interested, post here or email me at peddlingforpebbles@ymail.com.

Thanks

Joe

Article also online...

Link to the article, live today: http://www.southwarknews.co.uk/00,news,19147,440,00.htm

Brilliant!!.. :)

Our first bit of press!!!

I have been overcome with excitment and adrenelin! I've just opened a copy of today's Southwark News, scrolled to page 13 - and there I am with a news article all about our bike ride to paris for Pebbles!..

Quite an achievement I think. Mum doesn't know yet, have posted her a copy first class. She'll have a fit I reckon when she sees it!...

A copy of article will appear online shortly, will a post a link within the next day or so. In the meantime, here's the article scanned and uploaded for you all to read!!...

If you've reached this page following reading the article then thanks for taking the time to have a look - bookmark this page, follow our campagin and donate to our Just Giving page. Your donation will make a HUGE difference.

Bradley Wiggins, watch out!...

Jersey Hunting!

I've been tasked with getting an official Jersey made for the ride (which of course will then be sold with all proceeds going to our donation page), and I've just received a sample jersey - yey!

Trying it on, it's a little tight and short at the bottom and arms - I'm not sure if it's meant to fit like this (my partner upon seeing it immediately said it's too small), and after assuming an arms-forward cycling position, it rides up at the back - so it's got to be too small.

And I don't like the fit around the collar - it's sticking out and doesn't fit well around that whole area.

On the label it's a size 4 and according to the manufacturer it's a Large (!) - so I reckon I'd be about a size 5? (Extra-Large)...

Here's a picture of the fit, tell me what you think!..

The fabric is called CoolMax and is highly breathable, not waterproof, but very quick drying. It's stretchy and fits quite snug to one's skin. Any logo's or colouring is done through Sublimation which is a process where dye is heated until it becomes gaseous, and the gaseous dye then penetrates the fibers of the garment and solidifies within the fibres when the heat is removed.

The garment should in theory never fade, though I'm not sure that's all true!..

Here's a close-up of the fabric, on the left is the outer side, the sort of black-looking holes are are vents and run throughout in that pattern, the right side is the inner-side and the thing running down the middle is the zip.

Of course this is just one of a number of samples I'm waiting for, and the design we'll choose will look nothing like this. Will keep you updated on any progress, but for now I'd appreciate any views or comments you have!

Thanks

Joe

Meet Guy!

This is Guy Dennis, who'll be cycling with me and Ray to Paris.

Here we see him stuffing his chops with heaven knows what..

Guy is a bit of a whizz when it comes to fixing bikes you see. So if we break down halfway through the middle of rural French countryside, then we all know who to blame!..

Though, it remains to be seen whether he can actually ride a bike as we haven't officially met up for a cycle, yet. And the last I heard, on his last ride he snapped the crank arm of his bike...

Honestly, you just can't get the staff these days!..

Picture of Ray to follow!...

An Introduction

Welcome!

So, this is my blog which will attempt to raise awareness and sponsorship for a sponsored bike ride, from London to Paris for the Pebbles Project through our Just Giving page.

There's three of us that are committed to doing this: Myself, Guy Dennis and Ray Abercromby - we've all come to know each other through a Wine Forum over the last year or so.

The bike ride itself is over 4 days, from the 8th to the 12th of September 2010, covering 300 miles approx in total: that's on average 75 miles a day (Aaargh!).

Our aim is to raise £10,000 in total sponsorship for Pebbles.

To tell you a little more about the charity, Pebbles Project is a wonderful yet small charity that offers support to children with special educational needs, particularly those whose lives are affected by alcohol in some way, in the Western Cape of South Africa. They help improve the lives of these children and families by providing activities for the kids such as dance and drama, music classes - all the things we can take for granted.. Teacher training, resources such as school equipment and buildings and whole lot more of such wonderful work. Pebbles is run solely on donations and today supports over 500 children, a number which continues to grow.

And this is where you come in: We need your donations!!

Donate by clicking on the above link, or by clicking on the Just Giving icon displayed permanently on the right-hand side of this page.

This is going to be a huge commitment from all of us involved here, and so I'll be posting regular updates on how our training is going and on any news - i.e. we'll each be actively publicising this event in every possible way you can think of (newspapers, local radio, websites etc. - you name it, they'll be contacted) and will update on anything that I feel should be included.

You can get involved too! Tell friends, family, work colleagues, your neighbours whoever - to join in and support us!

But let's get one thing straight - the ultimate aim of this blog is raise sponsorship and awareness for the Pebbles Project, so please, if my blog or a particular post has touched you in anyway, the best possible thing you can do is donate to our Just Giving page.

So, again welcome to our blog - and I hope you contribute to the cause, get involved in any way possible, and support us (but more so Pebbles) in every way you can.

And remember, every little counts...

Joe