Archive: Dooza

Official Photo from my London to Brighton Bike Ride

Finally the official photographers from the London to Brighton bike ride were able to identify me, and I was able to purchase this fine photo of me.

I think it was taken around the half way mark, so I was pretty tired, just about to get my second wind from the burger I had just eaten.

My London to Brighton Bike Ride for the British Heart Foundation

Yesterday, Sunday 19th June 2011, I completed the London to Brighton Bike Ride and raised £250 for the British Heart Foundation (my target was £200).

You can see the route on Endomondo, as I was using my phone to let my friends and family track my progress: http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/qZO7bpWLi84

The day started early for me, as my start time was 9am. I actually wanted a 6am start, but it was not to be. Louise dropped me off at Clapham Common and I managed to find my way to the start line. There was lots going on, the atmosphere was great. There were all sorts of street performers wandering around keeping everyone in good spirits.

The first 10 miles were easy going, but slow. There was way too many riders to get any speed up, and we had to stop for the traffic lights. The route was lovely, lots of countryside to look at.

I stopped at the first official refreshment stop as I need to refuel and catch my breath. It was up a fairly long hill, and I was happy to have stayed on my bike the whole way. A banana and a ham roll was my reward, then back on the road.

It seemed to take forever, but I guess riding on your own will do that. There was a couple accidents on the way which seemed fairly bad. One lady was being stretchered away, I really hope she was ok. The route gets very steep and narrow in places, and even with plenty of warnings and marshalls around, plenty of riders were going way too fast and taking risks that I was not comfortable with.

I managed all the hills apart from the last one, Ditchlings Beacon. It was huge, and most riders were walking by that point. The die hards were showing what they were made off. The view from the top is amazing, I was really glad to get there, as it meant not long to go before I finish. The next few miles were harder than I expected, it was really windy and the road was wet from a shower. Just before we dropped down into Brighton we were held up again by another accident. It took a while to clear, but once we were going again we got some good speed as we came down the hill. I kept a sensible distance from riders in front of me and a safe speed, I didn’t want to come off like some one else had.

It took me 6 and a half hour to complete, not bad for my first attempt. I had a bad time slot really, as it was so congested. I really hope that next year I get an earlier slot so that I can do it in better time.

Some points for next year:

1. Ride with someone you know.
2. Get an earlier time spot.
3. Bring a spare mobile (mine was tracking my progress, it failed 4 miles before the end and made finding Louise harder)
4. Wear sun block, my arms are really burnt!
5. Don’t worry so much about it, its great fun.

I really enjoyed the day, it was great riding with so many people all having a great day.

London to Brighton Bike Ride

This year I am helping to raise money for the British Heart Foundation by riding from London to Brighton on the 19th June.

The British Heart Foundation is the nation’s heart charity. Every day they save lives, through pioneering research, providing vital information to help people reduce their own heart health risks, campaigning for change and supporting and caring for heart patients.

Please help me by sponsoring me, you can donate here: http://www.justgiving.com/team-dooza

RIP Evie Hoare

On Tuesday 23rd November I came home to find Evie dead on the sofa. She was stretched out like she was having a lovely sleep. When she didn’t respond to my greeting my heart broke and panic set in. She was perfectly fine when we left her in the morning, and to be honest, we don’t know what happened.

Thankfully my parents were calm and helped by taking her away and burying her in there garden. My parents have done this several times with their own cats, and know how it feels to lose a pet. It was especially hard for Loo and me due to Evie being our first cat. We will never forget her, she was our princess.

Just after Christmas we decided it was time to move on and find another cat who needed our love. After a quick look online we found a male cat called Joey who was with the RSPCA. His owners got divorced and neither side wanted him. We found this hard to believe as he was so pretty. He is an 8 year old Russian Blue, well, mostly, I am pretty sure he isn’t 100%, but looks and behaves just like one.

Joey settled in such a short time, and is loving our flat. He has so much love to give, and loads of energy. He is a totally different cat to Evie, so will never be a replacement (no cat could ever be).

There will be loads of photos appearing soon

Minerva Beads and Crafts Opening 6th November

Minerva Beads and Crafts is opening this Saturday in Glastonbury, you will find them on the High Street.

Tabatha and James have been running the business from home, taking there wares to markets around Somerset and Devon. They have now expanded and have there own shop in Glastonbury.

I have helped build them an online presence where you can also buy some of their huge range of beads and associated bits and bobs. When I say huge I really mean huge, I have never seen such variation in beads!