[Closed] I think I'm about to be diagnosed with cancer, and I'm fairly scared.

Hi

I dont know if Edinburgh is any good to you - IIRC your route is the other side. I can probably arrange accommodation in glasgow for you as well if needed

your bikes are ordered..... 😆

Hi Meg - e mail sent 🙂

how's petesgaff these days?

Hi Meg,

Appreciate it won't be on your route, but an offer of our spare rooms in Leeds for your journey back if needed.

Good luck with it all.

B

I'm not too bad. Thank you for asking!

Sorry I've been a little remiss in update for a week. The JOGLE moves closer and closer, and in between training, treatment and planning I haven't had time to fart.

Things are okay. I've been all over the UK trying to sort out things for the ride. Transportation, kit, clothing, etc, as well as publicity and accomodation. Some of you offered to put myself and Team Bullheart for a night on our journey, which is unbelievable and generous. Those that have should have been contacted by my beautiful and efficient assistant, and so now we only have a few nights without accomodation. That's not too big a deal, and we're sorting that out as I speak.

I will update this list when I get in tonight, but this is a roll call of honour - people that have gone above and beyond to help us achieve this bloody ride;

Chris at Cycleworld in Scotland - bikes, advice, shoulder to cry on, kit. Legend.

Mags/Sarah at Practical PR - PR, flirting, tiny can of Diet Coke after a six hour drive.

Oliver at Udderly Smooth - 3.5 metric tonnes of chammy cream. Money for kit.

Anne at Oxted Physio - fixing my knackered carcass.

Rudeboy - For the best Bullheart logo I could've hoped for. Total gentleman, despite what the critics say.

Andy at Romster - Team clothing, chirpy nature.

Pam Ferris - Last night meant everything to me. Thank you for being tender.

Only joking about the last one!

All of you that have donated to the JustGiving page are amazing. At some point I will contact each and every one of you, just let me get the planning out of the way. I will soon have my own STW blog courtesy of Tom dB and co, and will fill it with hilarity, pain, and moaning in equal measure.

More to follow.

Dont bother about thanking the donators personally mate.... you get on with the important stuff.

do the bikes fit? make a list of kit that youve missed/forgotten and ill see what i can come up with....

Meg - not heard anything?

Memo to all;

When doing your first press interview, try not to mask how nervous you are by joking.

Interviewer: "So what is it that gets you through? How do you keep on going in the face of such terrible odds?"

Me: "Drugs"

Interviewer: "D-R-U-G-S..."

Me: "Er..."

FAIL

Brilliant reply. Much better than "Grim determination and stuborness mixed with bovine related implants!", which we all know is the real cause.

🙂 Happens to the best!

Memo to all;

When doing your first press interview, try not to mask how nervous you are by joking.

Interviewer: "So what is it that gets you through? How do you keep on going in the face of such terrible odds?"

Me: "Drugs"

Interviewer: "D-R-U-G-S..."

Me: "Er..."

FAIL

From the moths of babes and sucklings - and Mark!!
Pricelessly funny chap - Priceless!!

Howdy all,

In three days time I embark with the Bullheart Team on our JOGLE excursion. This post will include details of the ride, our itinerary, and my mobile number so that anyone that wants to join us for a stage can do so. Be warned, we're not roadies by any stretch of the imagination but we can drop the hammer when required. There will be a sh*tload of moaning, gurning and general surliness, but by now you should have worked out that I am not one to keep quiet...

Firstly, a review of how things have been going.

Road bikes: Chris at Cycleworld in Scotland has lent us three Giant Defys for our trip. Until these came in the post, I was adamant that drop bars were pointless, irritating and no good for us. I was wrong. The last two weeks have proven that road cycling is very very good fun. And slightly addictive too. I find myself whooping as I hurtle down hills looking like a bear on a comedy tricycle at the circus. I've found myself hammering the crap out of the bike, my arse, the road and pretty much everything else.

The team; J the joiner is very nippy on a bike. Annoyingly chipper, he remains positive even when the worst of luck befalls us. And his obsession with wearing the tightest possible top combined with the baggiest possible shorts does my tits in.

Laura is my sister. Younger, fitter, more successful and happier, she is the ying to my yang. There are two areas in which I'm better than her. I have a dog, and, and...er...I have a dog. Laura is the engine room, level headed, constant, and the brains of the operation. J and I are not.

My wife, Megan. The heart of it all. Nuff said.

The van is looking amazing too. Many thanks to Jay's pa for sorting out the graphics.

I just need to pop out for a bit. I'll be back to carry on in an hour!

Awesome, glad that everything came togeather!

Let's see the van. We all like a good van.

Mark, Which route are you doing mate, me and the mrs are gonna driver over from Leeds to give you a bit of moral, and a donation of course!!!

Cheers,

Andy

May I wish you the very best of luck for next week. I hope you have sunny days and following winds for the majority of the ride.

STM

you truly are an inspiration to all, good luck with your JOGLE, if i lived en route i would offer my services but unfortunately i don't.

Have a good one!

Can I also wish you all of the very best for this. I am sure that the thoughts and prayers of everyone on STW are with you as you set off! We'll all be pedalling with you!

I'll carry on!

nbt, marsdenman and all the HTN customers - What can I say? It starts to sound a little hollow saying thank you all the time. I hope you both understand how much I value you and your customers donations and generosity. At some point I'll repay your kindness, I give you my word.

I am taking the van to the car wash today, and will upload pics later for all you van fetishists out there... 😉

On the way to my cardiac MRI at the Brompton on Monday I managed to get run over by a bus outside Harrods. Seriously! Bike went right under and everything. As a result the tarmac sandpapered most of my left shoulder off, and has left me fairly stiff and blood with a constant weeping wound, but to be fair it was worth it to see the look on the MRI teams collective face as I rocked up to the reception with a ripped t-shirt, covered in blood and fairly dishevelled asking for somewhere to park my bike!

The STW hierachy have agreed to allow me access to the hallowed ground that is a STW Blog. This means that a daily update (internet connection permitting) will be available, charting our exploits and allowing all of you to experience the delights of a JOGLE from your very own living room. This will start on Saturday, or maybe tomorrow depending on how quickly I can pack the van and get to Poundland to buy Haribo.

0 Saturday 24.07.10 Arrive at John O Groats KW1 4YH - Meg in support car.
1 Sunday 25.07.10 Tongue
2 Monday 26.07.10 Culrain IV24 3DP
3 Tuesday 27.07.10 Loch Ness IV63 7YD
4 Wednesday 28.07.10 Glencoe PH49 4HX
5 Thursday 29.07.10 Killearn
6 Friday 30.07.10 New Lanark (will prob adjust slightly to fit with accommodation and shorten the next day's riding)
7 Saturday 31.07.10 Carlisle CA2 5SR
8 Sunday 01.08.10 Slaidburn BB7 3ER
9 Monday 02.08.10 Chester
10 Tuesday 03.08.10 rest day
11 Wednesday 04.08.10 Clun, Shropshire SY7 8NY
12 Thursday 05.08.10 Goodrich, Herefordshire HR9 6JJ
13 Friday 06.08.10 Street, Somerset BA16 0TZ
14 Saturday 07.08.10 Okehampton EX20 1EW
15 Sunday 08.08.10 Perranporth TR6 0GS
16 Monday 09.08.10 Lands End TR19 7NT

The details and route plan of each day will be uploaded later today or tomorrow. If you fancy joining us for a stage, either call or text me on 07790 252286

Time for breakfast.

Mark if you haven't already done it I need you address sending to andylivo@jejamescycles.co.uk so I can send the tee's out today mate. Great to see everythings ready and in place for you to nail this sucker! 😉

You go boy! (s and girls) 🙂

Hello, Mrs Petesgaff here, just to confirm, the locations on the list above is where we end each day, e.g. on Sunday they ride from JOG to Tongue, then Monday from Tongue to Culrain...and so on...sorry if that was obvious!

ooh, you pass near to me when you're at Street - suprised you've picked a route that far over but by heck there's a few hills round there you'll have fun with!
Donation duly made & best wishes for a great trip.

Good luck mark - just read your just giving page, very moving.

Donation made (even though you made me cry 😀 )

Rest day, what are you, some kind of wuss???? 😉

wtf, i don't cry at work. ridiculous.
i don't know you but i will be thinking of you and i hope everything goes well.

trying to post some piccies of marks support truck...

Just donated - and let me know if you need anything in the Chester area - have sent a text.

Paul

Wow.

Is there a route map for this? Would it be ok to come along and ride with the group for part of the journey?

Have a look higher up elfinsafety and call me or Meg on 07790252286 for a daily update on the route!

Good luck my boy and no more bus bike interfaces.

me and the mrs had a great couple of days with mark and his support riders...we did a stage with them in possibly the wettest weather ive ever ridden in...they all had high spirits on the ride and i had to keep reminding myself that mark had cancer and had openheart surgery 9 months ago...(he had me on a few hills) strong as an ox he is..

thanks to joe who from singletrack arrived at the yha last night with some cakes for the riders..very random and thoughtful! chapeau!
all in all a great time was had by all despite the damp conditions...

hopefully mark can sort the blog and we can get regular updates...(no pictures unfortunately due to issues with the new iphone!)

Enjoying Mrs Flash's comment 🙂

Petesgaff, have you got the national press on board for this? I'm sure the "Sundays" would be interested????

Evening all,

This is Laura here, one of Marks' support riders for the JOGLE trip (and more importantly, the better sibling). Apologies for the lack of updates so far - internet access is not a number one priority for many of Scotlands' finest youth hostels. We're currently residing for the evening in a very kind policemans' house in Stirling, and having been washed, fed and watered, feel we can offer you a short progress update.

After an "interesting" first day (Mark and I almost coming to blows over whos' turn it was to bring up the rear - he's bigger than me therefore he won) we've settled into some sort of routine on the bikes, despite a few teething problems with gears, headwinds and the way Mark looks in lycra. For anyone thinking of doing the JOGLE, it really isn't all flat on the first day, despite the advice we were given. Yeah, cheers for that...

However, whilst we're managing to stay alive on the road, I'd be lying if I said that its' been a breeze so far. I don't think people of my own and my brothers body shape are designed for hills. Or roadbikes. Jay (chief support rider) on the other hand, is a bit of a whippet and puts us both to shame. (Although he may have picked up a slight knee injury today - finally giving Mark and I a chance to come in first and second place.) Mark is doing as expected - just being himself - slightly belligerent and bullishly aggressive on the climbs. But always completing.

Yesterday was the groups' favourite leg so far, (Big thanks to Chris from Cycleworld for the tips on actually USING my gears to get up the hills) and team spirit was high, even though the weather made things a little tough. Today started with a nice 1100ft climb from Glencoe, mixed with some more crap weather and several family members en route to show their support - has to be said, having people on the way showing their support makes life in the saddle just that little bit easier. (I'm sure that's what the van drivers are doing when they beep their horns REALLY loudly when we're flailing around the broken white line in the middle of the road, aren't they?!)

Apologies that this isn't Mark writing the update - he's out fiddling with brake pads before tomorrows' leg to New Lanark. He'll do his best to make sure that the blog is updated as regularly as possible. And of course, lots of photos of the man himself in Lycra. I know that's what you're all really waiting for...

nice one

Thank you for updating us. You sound in good spirits and, once again, good luck to you all. 🙂

Anyone got a link for the blog?

Great to get an update!! Glad to see you're all digging in deep. . .keep it up!!

Top news,hopefully gonna join you for part of the leg from goodrich to street next week 😀

Sounds like it's going well, despite the slight niggles, keep up the good work!!

On the way to my cardiac MRI at the Brompton on Monday I managed to get run over by a bus outside Harrods. Seriously! Bike went right under and everything. As a result the tarmac sandpapered most of my left shoulder off, and has left me fairly stiff and blood with a constant weeping wound

A week before JOGLE? F-in 'ell,this bloke's one tough hombre. Bullheart? Cojones de un toro as well, for sure.

Where's the blog?

excellent i'm in awe!

It's Mark here.

I've got up especially early to try and answer some questions, and to update you all from my perspective. Firstly, the blog; I have no idea what is happening there at all. Tom db gave me access to the blog, but on the proviso that it had to be okayed by the STW computer monkeys before it could be released. I'm not sure if, through my sheer technical imbecility, or if they'd forgotten that this was the case, as to why it hasn't come up but I'll contact Tom and see if I can get it sorted.

Some of you have texted stating you'd like to join up for parts of the ride, which is ace; please do not panic if we haven't got back to you at this time. We're trying to establish some sort of riding routine and will bell you a couple of days before the date you'd like to ride with us with a comprehensive route guide for said day. If only because we need someone to take the front and act as a wind-block. Joke. As far as we're concerned, if you've expressed a desire to ride or meet up with us (to buy us cake) it's a given....

Here are the first two blog entries; they're a little rough, but will have to do. If anyone knows of a good bike shop in Glasgow please text the details to my phone and Meg will make sure we get it.

Cheers guys!

[i]PREP DAY:

****ing nightmare day. The morning was spent at the BRIT School, with Rowan trying to explain in laymen’s terms how the website will be operational. I, like a concrete headed buffoon smiled and nodded furiously, hoping that he hadn’t noticed just how thick-as-pig-shit I am with IT. I had an interview with the team at BRIT FM, and then picked up the last bits and pieces needed to complete the ride. Despite an ‘putting–a-chicken-run-up-for-a -neighbour’ related delay the van was finally loaded up and I set of to pick up Meg, Laura and J from Horley/Reigate. We dumped the dog at the in-laws, loaded up all the bikes and equipment, and by the time the fish and chip supper had been dispatched it was half ten. General consensus was that the planned stop in Leeds should be forgotten, and so we set off on the sixteen hour trek to JOG.

I could go on about the significance of the journey; the emotions, anticipation and so on, but quite frankly the night drive was an arse. 6.30am saw us arrive in Edinburgh, and after a long run up the A9 we came across a bike shop in Pitlochry called Escape Route. Smashing shop, lovely staff (“Would you guys like an espresso after your long drive?” GET IN!) including a fella named Peter, who did his best to fit me into a baselayer of Lilliputian proportions and proceeded to give us a box of those cola flavoured energy sweets that make you piss like a race horse. Top work my friend!

Several hours later we arrived at JOG, weaving the van through a throng of cyclists of differing proportions and equipment ownership. There was no thrill to be there; just a desire to get to the B & B, get some food on board and sleep. Kit was distributed, god-awful curry from the local pub was consumed and a friend was made in another gent called Peter who worked for Cycle Skeddadle (I think). Great advice, an offer to assist if he could and a colossal handshake that made my balls hurt were all offered and gladly accepted (apart from the aching gonads part), and a new friend made. All that remained was to get to bed for the early start…

Sunday 24th July: John O’Groats – Tongue

I like things to be well oiled and smooth. My bike, my plans, my groin, etc.. And the first day of riding was exactly that. Kind of.

From the beginning then.

An early-ish start with a fantastic cooked breakfast from our host allowed final adjustments to clothing, equipment and chamois cream, and when all of our duties had been completed we made our way to JOG for the start of our epic adventure. We got to the car park and found that, bar a couple of other cyclists, it was deserted. The JOGLE road-sign, so very prolific in all the photos, had been removed to prevent it from being stolen (to be fair, I understand this action totally; my intention was to nick it), so we ended up waiting for the resident photographer to arrive and take our picture.

After a little time had passed, the fella turned up and spent a good three hours telling us exactly what each island was, how old the local rowing boats were and other JOG-related trivia. After prising ourselves away from him, we registered our JOGLE trip at the café, and set off with the storm clouds gathering.

The first twenty miles were a piece of piss. As Chris from Cycleworld had suggested, it was a nice flat run along a coastal road, with a fair headwind, but nothing we couldn’t handle. We rolled into Thurso an hour and a half after setting off and surprised Meg who pulled into the car park at Tesco’s for supplies. A little retail therapy followed (batteries, bananas, lunch) and we set off to complete the remaining miles buoyant and content.

From Thurso onwards, everything was up. The roads went up. The headwind was up. My bib was up. My crack, that is. Despite this, we continued to plough on and made very good time. Our policy of rehydrating every half hour combined with little bits of food regularly, was paying dividends and we scorched on past a number of other JOGLE groups towards the final destination of Tongue. During this time, Meg had been seeking out little spots for breaks, and managed to find an amazing beach in a cove close to Bettyhill, and so was getting her fill of beautiful scenery. This is very important – if your support driver isn’t feeling fulfilled, you’re screwed big time. Down goes the sandwich making, the friendly beeps as they drive by, and the encouraging words. Plus Meg grinds my nuts when she’s unhappy.

Towards the end of the ride, J and I decided to engage in a ‘Top Speed Challenge’ (TSC). Very little explanation is needed for this; suffice to say, J edged the challenge with me a fraction slower. This situation will be rectified soon. We rolled into Tongue four and three-quarter hours after setting off with a fairly respectable 13.9mph average, considering the terrain.

Laura’s knee has started to give her a bit of grief, but she has twice the balls I have so continues to grind out the miles. My shoulder is fairly knackered by still attached, which is good. J is so chirpy I want to hit him with a mallet until he stops twitching.

Yup, we’re all good. Roll on tomorrow.
[/i]

I love reading these updates Mark. Thanks. 🙂
Have a good ride today all of you and I hope Laura's knee has calmed down.

Mark - I just sent you an email regarding the blog.

Edit: Me silliness, you've been writing the blogs, they're there now. I just didn't look...

In case folks missed this the blogs (written in Mark's trademark entertaining style) are here:

http://www.singletrackworld.com/blogs/2010/07/numero-uno/

http://www.singletrackworld.com/blogs/2010/07/the-bullheart-jogle-from-petesgaf/

Good luck Mark! 🙂

Good luck guys!!

i get the feeling i'm going to enjoy reading this like a good book,great work guys, looking forward to the next installment.

I've been following this thread since it started. I had no idea what to say early on, but now I know...

Respect. Absolute humble respect.

...and enjoy!

sent you an email mate :O)

love the updates Mark, keep them coming 🙂

After a beak from STW I just skimmed through all the pages. WOW!!!! It's a real rollercoaster of a story making me laugh, cry and more. Hats off to both you and Meg and enjoy your trip.

Shit the bed I'm tired. I'm so tired I can't be arsed updating. We're all alive, saw a horrendous accident involving cyclists and a car with the air ambulance just past Gretna yesterday. Pretty certain it looked like fatalities, but just found a report here

http://www.bordercitywheelers.co.uk/index.aspx

Very sobering. Carlisle to Slaidburn today. Wish us luck.

Keep going buddy 2 days and then you can rest up for a bit - everyone is thinking of you! x

It *IS* worth it 🙂

Keep going and good luck.

Paul

Well if you must chose to do something so daft! Good luck and keep going.

We have yet to see you in the Surrey Hills again and I've no doubt but that we will.

One crank at a time. Keep on chooglin. All the best.

Could it up and huge respect.

you should just give up - that's what your line manager would do......

Just come back from Scotland yesterday shame I missed your posts, otherwise I would of made a detour on the journey home on your route to offer some encouragement! Best of luck just keep those pedals turning!

The collective strength of STW is behind you. Keep going in your inimitable style!

As someone said above, read all the thread few weeks ago, and didn't know what to say so said nothing. I add my respect, cheerleading pompoms and keep pedalling to the pile.

Ditto Kevevs up there somewhere ^^:

[i]Respect. Absolute humble respect.[/i]

Not a god botherer by habit and im certainly not sure it will do any good but every night i pray that you will overcome this mountain that you are climbing.

Just read this thread

Truly humbling

Like Tim said, I'll be praying that you'll achieve everything you want to

We caught up with the team at Kirkby Lonsdale yesterday - it was an absolute pleasure to meet them all. They we all utterly wasted but in remarkably good spirits.

They've passed the half way point now which is possibly some consolation. Maybe.

If you can get along to cheer them into town anywhere along the rest of the ride, please do. They're a fantastic bunch, plus you get to see Mark in lycra...

you get to see Mark in lycra...

It was an, erm, 'interesting' sight - and I am sure he will agree with me.
I have some photos, will try to post one or two later.

You might be better calling Mark direct as Meg's had to leave to go back to work. 🙁 (gutted we didn't get to meet her too yesterday) He should then be better able to give you an idea of when/where they'll be.

I saw a bloke and a woman on the A49 yesterday between Shrewsbury and Church Stretton wearing Cancer Research jerseys. Apparently not Petesgaff tho 🙂

TN - cheers for that update - I'll give him a call shortly!

Props to Mark and the gang, much respect.
.
In contrast, my greatest achievement this week is working out what JOGLE stands for having first heard of it about a year ago.

Mark, you are a true hero, a total inspiration to so many on here.

All the best.

Morning,

If anyone would like to see a fat man in dayglo lycra weeping by the side of the road in the driving rain, get yourselves down to Chester - Whitchurch - Shrewsbury - Clun today. Photos are available on donation to the JustGiving page.

(sniff)

Keep going Mark,

Gray skies are gonna clear up,
Put on a happy face;
Brush off the clouds and cheer up,
Put on a happy face.
Take off the gloomy mask of tragedy,
It's not your style;
You'll look so good that you'll be glad
Ya' decide to smile!
Pick out a pleasant outlook,
Stick out that noble chin;
Wipe off that "full of doubt" look,
Slap on a happy grin!
And spread sunshine all over the place,
Just put on a happy face!
Put on a happy face
Put on a happy face
And if you're feeling cross and bitterish
Don't sit and whine
Think of banana split and licorice
And you'll feel fine
I knew a girl so glooming
She'd never laugh or sing
She wouldn't listen to me
Now she's a mean old thing
So spread sunshine all over the place
Just put on a happy face
So, put on a happy face

brilliant ! enjoyed reading the update , hats of to you all and keep up the good work

Did Chester to Whitchurch with Mark et al this morning - really sorry that I couldn't do the whole day.

Just wanted to say that these are really great people (but you already knew that), and do take the opportunity to ride with them and support them if you can. You would not believe Mark was so ill such a short time ago.

Mark, I can't believe you let me navigate - sorry for the two small detours. and the puncture.

All the best for the rest of the trip.
Paul