Category Archives for sufferfest

The Art Of Climbing

The able-legged mountain goat that is Phil ‘The Danger’ Deeker has written a wonderful guide to the art of climbing. A stunning sphere of cycling that comes unashamedly easier to others, but is something  simultaneously and universally appreciated by each and every cycling enthusiast. The reward and accomplishment of conquering both the physical and mental mountain-scape is the ultimate elixir in cycling (or it is in this girls humble opinion) Anyway, here’s a sneaky photo I snapped of Phil looking ever the dandy in Italy this Spring. I suggest you head on over to the ‘Art Of Climbing‘ feature and enjoy.

A Thank You!

Just a small post to thank every person who very kindly donated to see myself & my father run a half marathon in aid of Parkinsons UK, a cause close to our hearts. We had a modest target of £250 to raise, and smashed it by achieving a total of £1030!!! I was really touched by some of the message left on our justgiving page, so thank you from the bottom of my heart! For now, its back in the saddle for a nice 8 week block of riding before heading off to Italy for a jaunt in the Dolomites.

Big shout out to my old man for running it – dad I know what a struggle those last few miles were for you, and I told you id come good on my promise not to drop you, was ace to cross the finish line arms aloft. Forza Atkinsons!

A Running Interlude

Apologies for breaking normal wheel-based service here on bianchista, just wanted to give a quick mention to a challenge il be undertaking in March. As some of you know, as well as ramping up my riding these past few months, iv been doing quite a bit of pounding the tarmac with my feet, with the aim of completing the 2012 bath half marathon in aid of a very worthy cause, Parkinsons UK. 

Dad & I shortly after our first 5k parkrun – shattered!
In New Zealand when away on assignment I became the butt of many jokes, after appearing very fit, I was literally in pieces after a tiny 2k run! I walked like John Wayne and could only manage a shuffle along the floor for days after. However, sticking with the suffering and forcing myself to run, i have slowly been able to increase my mileage and hopefully pitch myself to rise to the occasion of a suitably epic challenge for a complete novice runner like myself. 
Never employ the services of your mother as official race photographer
My dad and I have trained religiously (I ran into work on new years day in the pouring rain, rocky eat your heart out!) for what we believe to be a really worthwhile cause, and something very close to our hearts (my grandfather is a parkinsons sufferer). 
Getting to meet & run with Mo Farah recently and get some tips! (avoid fried food mainly!)
If any readers feel like chipping a pound my way to sponsor what I can assure you will be a gruelling physical and mental test (sadly my body is used to years of cycling and it growing to hate me, the pressure im putting on it by taking up running!) then it would mean so much, not only to me and my old man, but to anyone touched by Parkinsons. I also promise that if we reach our really modest target of £200 we will sign up and run a marathon! so think of it as an investment into my pain and discomfort!
Chilling with Mo
Please head over to my just giving page, and throw a loose coin my way. No worries if not, even an encouraging message via twitter would be awesome! Thanks so much and again, apologies for this non cycling interlude… I assure you normal service will now resume!

http://www.justgiving.com/GemandSteve
http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/