Julian's Charity Bike Ride

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231 miles in total were cycled to these last few days. This has been an absolutely tremendous experience we shall all never forget. The weather has been kind, stunning views of our English river and countryside enjoyed and plenty of fun and laughs all along the way. It has been a demanding ride for me but such a rewarding one to have journeyed.

Thanks to all who have made it worthwhile - my friends and of course those of you who have kindly contributed small or large to the just
causes we rode for.

Sincere thanks

Julian
Mike
Tim
Neil

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This was our last day of cycling to the Thames Barrier.

Chiswick-Hammersmith-Putney-Battersea-Vauxhall-Westminster-Bermondsey-
Deptford-Greenwich-The Thames Barrier

After a light breakfast for me and Neil of Salmon and Scrambled egg
and a full English for Mike and Tim at The Coach and Horses, we were
set for a mere 30 miles or so to the Barrier. (see pic of The guys
outside our digs).

I had never felt any better than I did right now as we packed up and
set about travelling a route towards our end destination. The route
from Kew to Greenwich was, in my opinion, thwarted by both tourists and
a Thames Path that would take you off and on, and on and off the route
we wanted to take which was alongside the river itself. Time and time
again we had to battle the tides of people and cars which actually
slowed the journey time right time. It was proving quite difficult to
get up any speed at all once we had got anyway near to the tourist
attraction which is our London city. For some peculiar reason I was the
only one in the group annoyed by this. My mindset had always been to
get the job done but the other guys didn't mind at all taking in the
tourist sites (London Eye, Houses of Parliament, Globe Theatre, Cutty
Sark et al) so it took me a short while to climb down and relax, and
accept that today we were tourists too and not simply passing through.

We grabbed a coffee just before Vauxhall. Ate a cookie for energy and
inched our way forward once we hit the sites (see pics In London
centre, inc our California girls). At Greenwich, we bought sarnies and
a bottle of bubbly to enjoy once we had arrived at The Barrier. The
extra weight was suffered by Neil whose positiveness throughout this
trip had far exceeded my own. It felt weird cycling under the river
when we had been making great attempts to stay as closely alongside it
but we did just that using the Woolwich foot tunnel.

A couple of chatty American gals snapped our picture so we snapped
theirs. Tourists happy to assume we wanted our picture taken with
Parliament in the background.

At the Miienium Dome, we could see our destination in sight. However,
just for the hell of it, for some reason I cannot quite fathom -
perhaps because we were nearing journey's end, we had a quick race
around the dome!! There were no real winners here simply because the
Dome is much larger to cycle round than you think and there are
delivery vans to avoid who don't mind not avoiding you.

We arrived at the Barrier just before 3pm and after 215 miles of
cycling. A school party were on a field trip and occupied the seats
that overlook the Barrier itself. We patiently waited quietly for their
departure before taking pictures and opening the bottle of champagne to
celebrate our achievement. In point of fact, none of us really like
champagne but we managed to guzzle most of it. (see various Barrier
pics).

After the late lunch of M&S sarnies and warm champagne we departed the
scene for a final trek to Beckton to find our Premier Inn accommodation
for our last celebratory night. "it's near the city airport" Mike said.
Unknown to me, as we sailed by another Premier Inn, Mike took us into
Upton Park and the home of my team, West Ham United. Another photo
opportunity and a chance to visit the club shop for some merchandise.
Never occured to me that all the guys had planned this stop just for
me. And it certainly took me by complete surprise when they all
announced that we were staying in the West Ham hotel for the night.
Gobsmacked! It was like a birthday and christmas had both arrived early
and at the same time. Actually, it was nearly my birthday so this was a
treat Tim, Neil and Mike had organised just for me. Well, it would be
as they are not Irons supporters so having a balcony room that
overlooks the pitch and stands didn't quite appeal to them as much.
Security allowed us onto the pitch to take some photo's so that's just
what we all did! (see various pics).

We had an event booked at the Brickhouse Club in Brick Lane sorted for
8pm. Cabaret stuff. Just before we left WHUFC for that, Mike and Neil
grabbed a lecturn and announced some awards - The Kronies (after the
beer) - as follows:-

* Tim - The Most Frugal Journeyman
* Julian - Zero to Hero
* Neil/Tim - The Titty-Filarious
* Julian - The Man for Whom Time Stood Still.

Our evening meal was nice and fancy but too small to replenish the
carbs burned off earlier in the day. The cabaret did involve audience
participation but thankfully we got away with it..................until
the final whistle. The club announced we had cycled over 200 miles for
worthwhile causes so eventually, an actress pulled yours truly out from
the audience to participate in some gyratory moves to the tune of "Y-M-
C-A" and of course, with all the hand signs too. Great! I get to dance
with a not too unattractive actress to a National gay song! With utter
relief I laughed out loud when others also got pulled up including
Mike. To say I had felt uncomfortable on my own was an understatement
but soon surrounded by many hollering people only too eager to exhibit
better arm shaped lettering than me allowed this little Custer to run
for the hills! Sorry, I had to. My dessert was melting! Reason enough?!

Never been to Brick Lane before but it's a hive of activity with so
many people hassling you to attend their restaurant or club etc. We
left our club and ended up at the White Hart pub, an Alehouse
established in 1721. Trouble was it still looked its age and was a bit
of a dump but we persevered until supper was sought and a return to The
Boleyn Ground in the early hours of saturday morning.

After breakfast we cycled all of 300 yards to Upton Park tube only to
find the station closed for repairs further up the line. We now needed
to travel to West Ham to catch our tube that would get us into
Paddington for our morning train to Reading. We got off at (the station
after Sloane Sq) and sped in the rain to Paddington, passing hundreds
of Millwall and Swindon supporters on their way to Wembley. We just
made the train.

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Thursday

Our journey today was: - Windsor, Datchet, Runnymede, Staines, Chertsey, Walton on Thames, Sunbury on Thames, Hampton, Teddington, Richmond, Kew.

I forgot to mention that Mike got a puncture on Wednesday. It's not just me then!

Went to the Commonwealth Air forces Memorial at Runnymede. This was a little detour up Coopers Hill, just about the longest ruddy hill I have ever been up in my short cycling life. The memorial remembers 20,400 or so airman whose bodies were never recovered. There were 7 Wallers and 14 Bishops named. A very sombre and reflective experience.

The paths heading towards London have been a cycling joy - smooth and quick. We have seriously begun to notice boats and boats and houses. So many of each are so utterly gorgeous.

Lunch in Chertsey along the riverbank. Perfick!

After 38 miles today and no bum or leg problems from anyone we arrived at our Coach & Horses B&B in Kew Green around 4pm, quick beer, shower and change, cool down walk and finally a meal.

Franco, an ex Pru colleague of Mike's joined us at the Rose and Crown for some drinks. I knew he could talk for England (and Italy) but he didn't stop us from getting an earlier nights sleep over the previous one. I was sparko right away - well you would if you roomed with Neil who had woken me up at 5am listening to the radio.

Apologies for short blog today, I'm constrained by time and Wifi accesses that both inflict pain on me.

Wednesdays journey - Purley-Sonning Bridge-Shiplake-Henley-Marlow-Bourne End-Cookham-Maidenhead-Bray-Dorney Lake-Windsor.

Today, we were joined by a friend (Mark) who cycled with Tim from Caversham Bridge and met the rest of us at Sonning Bridge. Just down the road at Shiplake I got the mother of all punctures - a huge thorn right through tyre and tube. We mended about 3 different punctures and the day was already 40 minutes behind schedule.

The aches and pains that Mike and I had at the start of the morning disappeared by Henley. The cool start of the day was a cycling pleasure and we stayed pretty close to the river for most of today's trek, catching flies in the mouth with almost every gasp for air. The picturesque landscape and beautiful homes we looked upon through Henley to Cookham reminded us how the other half live. (See pics of Henley & Bourne End below)

A sarnie and coffee was enjoyed by all basking in the sun in a Marlow park. Yet again, a short stop is enough to make your legs stop doing normal things like walking. Thigh muscles are tight and I know I'm not the only one.

A quick stop at Dorney Lake and the Olympic rowing venue was made. (See Picture below). They were preparing for some triathlon event and I kind of looked like I might be part of the action (I had a bike and helmet and shorts and stuff) but I think those days are long gone.

After 43 or 35 miles depending on where you started from this morning we arrived at our Windsor B&B just before 5pm. Well, we did go to the wrong one first and when we were told to go next door there was laughter. 147 miles and here we were gate crashing the wrong B&B!

Mark returned to Calcot on his bike and was home 2 hours later. An incredible 70 miles from him today!

A lovely Italian meal at Francesco's in Peascod St and several nightcaps will have hopefully not done too much damage for the rather shorter trip to Kew tomorrow.  

Thank you very much for viewing my blog and for the many kind messages of support – Its been pointed out that I’ve not included details of how to pass on your kind donations.

The Jim Shahi Unit does not have a charity number otherwise I would have set up a page on one of the charity 'Giving' websites. Instead, I would welcome any pledge that you can make, however small, and ask that send them to me at the following address:-

Julian Waller, 1 Shelgate Walk, Woodley, Reading, Berkshire. RG5 3DP

Cheques should be made payable to 'The Jim Shahi Endowment Fund'.

Thank you very much.

Our day in the saddle commenced at just before 10am as we set off from Cricklade.  It was already hot and we had 44 miles ahead to Oxford Malmaison.

A little piece of drama today.  Whilst riding along the towpath we spotted a lamb shivering in the Thames.  How long it had been there we have no idea.  Mike waded in and we were able to lift it out.  Larry the Lamb lives to fight another day!

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We left Reading station at 3:15pm, arriving Kemble at 4:10pm. Arrived at our final destination for the day at 6.45pm, the Red Lion pub and B&B. 

We completed only 21 miles today of which 12 were along the Thames path. Today’s cycle route was: - Kemble-Ewan-Somersford, Keynes-Ashford Keynes-Cricklade.  Only another 172 to go!

Lovely countryside. Towpaths sometimes a struggle but an easy and relaxing start to the trip. However, one of my panniers broke but cable guy Mike came to the rescue.

Had a nice evening meal at The Vale Hotel in the High St where I met a friend. The 1st night’s accommodation at the Red Lion pub and B&B very nice.

Everyone fit and well for Day 2. We will have to be as we travel to Oxford in high temperature.

Lovely! 

 In 2005, a close friend of mine died very suddenly. His name was Tyrone (Jiffy) Clark. We started work at the same time but unlike me, he was a fit sort. He would often be seen running half marathons raising money for his church, St John's in Caversham and other causes.

 The Jim Shahi Unit does not have a charity number otherwise I would have set up a page on one of the charity 'Giving' websites. Instead, I would welcome any pledge that you can make, however small, and ask that you let me know the amount of donation you can give and I will aim to collect all pledges by 18th June.

Jiffy, a good Christian, died of a heart condition he never knew he had whilst returning from a jog on holiday with his wife and two young boys. He was only 40 years of age.

At his funeral, donations were made to the Jim Shahi Unit at the Royal Berkshire Hospital. This unit is part of the Cardiology department. It offers such things as cardiac angiography, angioplasty (PCI), pacemaker insertion, electrical cardio version.......

They will again benefit from any donations that you and I can make and perhaps offer someone support for a heart problem who shouldn't needlessly suffer the same fate as Jiffy.

Cheques should be made payable to 'The Jim Shahi Endowment Fund'. If you are a taxpayer (aren't we all!) and are happy to give your address and post code, I should be able to collect gift aid which adds another 28 pence in the pound.

Thank you for reading this post and a BIG thankyou if you are able to pledge your support.