CT1

Added a bit of timber this week!

Most definitely F$%$ cancer!
Thoughts and understanding with you.

Managed to lose a tiny bit this week.
Friday morning certainly focuses the mind the rest of the week!

Some how managed to lose 1kg this week but I think this was due to a pre weigh in dump.
Can’t rely on that every week!

I am back in.  Great timing for me!

@bigblacksheep
You talk about socks etc to raise money.  How about some stem caps?
I had some made for all our bikes by Unite that simply said F&^K Cancer.  They just made us smile while on the bikes and felt personal.
If there are enough people I am sure we could get a good price then add a bit for charity.
Happy to organise if anyone is interested!
Other thing would be frame stickers.

I am now on a three week streak of exercise after the 10km.
Making sure I do something everyday for at least 30 mins whether the gym, turbo or a ride.
It has made a difficult week easier

@scaredypants you can’t knock it until you have tried it!!
We are probably over near you for the Southern enduros after the summer.  Not for me to be noted!!

Well managed a ride out in Wolverhampton for breakfast on a raglan I built last week.
Very tame but also good to clear my head for an hour broken up with a breakfast sandwich.  A playlist of wife music helped!!
We are off to the national in Cannock at the end of the month as the girls have started a race team aimed at having fun.
If anyone fancies a tame ride and coffee/beer on the Friday or Saturday give me a shout!!
Thanks

So a more positive week and managed to get out for an evening sweat on the road bike and actually started to build a hardtail in the garage for the weekend.
Good to see others think it could be a good idea.
Raving Dave happy to do a local ride to with suitable refreshment, especially with this sunny evenings!

Thanks everyone and hopefully some meets will happen soon.  I even managed an evening ride by the sea.

Kelvin happy to meet and show you Cann woods but Cardinham does have the best cheese cream tea.

Poopscoop you may not be riding but it doesn’t mean that you can’t meet for the coffee/beer/cake part.  You obviously still like bikes and no one should be excluded.

So sorry to hear your sad news.

As a family we came to the end of a three and half year journey with my wife before Christmas.

Myself and the kids were by her side the whole time and she adopted a new **** it let’s do it attitude.  We stopped finding excuses not to do things and she didn’t let the disease or treatment define her.  Even after chemo she would drag herself to watch the girls play netball or race bikes.

At the final meeting at the hospital the main consultant turned and thanked my wife for teaching him what a positive attitude and sheer determination can do.  He gave her 6 weeks originally and she did over 3 years.  In the end she would turn to the doctors and say I don’t believe you.

All I can say is find the reason to do something, surround yourself with family and good friends, give yourself a break sometimes and try and not linger on the ifs or buts which you have no control over.  Deal with what’s in front of you and embrace help that is offered.

Good luck in your journey and if you fancy a ride in the south west with a now very unfit bloke give me a shout.  A short ride to the pub or cafe suits best at the moment.

Most definitely F*&* CANCER

I had to do a roof on a rental my brother in law moved into 2 years ago.

end terrace with hipped end and it cost £12500 for materials and labour with my free labour.  Not easy or small but just fake slate.

Material prices at least doubled from pre Covid and labour now at least 80% more.

that’s the south west

Thanks again everyone for the shared experiences and touching comments.  Thanks TJ that is just the way I can deal with it.  We made it on her terms which is so important.

Thanks for all the messages.

it is good that it touched many and we are healing and will continue to live life to the full.

My eulogy incorporated the new family mantra of **** it-let’s do it.

people apparently like swearing and humour at funerals alongside celebrating someone’s life.  There wasn’t even standing room left!

Believe that is the ali one.
My daughters have a carbon one but the only feedback so far is its alright!!

So unfortunately it hasn’t been the best Friday but not unexpected! We got called in to see the consultant after some blood tests and due to liver issues treatment is going to stop and the better half is now under palliative care with St Luke’s. Although upsetting we knew it was coming and will hopefully avoid hard side effects with no more chemo. There is a chance of getting to Xmas and she  is determined. Within the whole meeting the the senior consultant thanked Marian for teaching him about how well the body can cope and adapt. He admitted that he thought she would go straight to the hospice after the initial diagnosis. Although it has been a hard journey it still hasn’t ended and thank you for all your support.

Cherish your weekend and make the most of the loved ones around you and maybe drink a beer and ride a bike!

Thanks again!On the family of cycling it continues to amaze me.

The twins raced at the southern enduro Sunday and got speaking to Steve the head Marshall about everything and similar things before he got called to drag riders out of bushes.

On Monday he messaged to say he had enjoyed the chat and been inspired and when he got home donated his fee to Macmillan.  There are so many kind people in the MTB community.

Tjagain. We are very very aware of not blaming anyone and the positive attitude is about living in the moment not about giving false hope.  We tell everyone everything and are completely open and honest.

As a family we have always been positive and we deal with whatever is in front of us

sorry for any offense 

Thank you STW.

There is so much inspiration and support from everyone.
Stanley our thoughts are with you and there are now studies showing a positive attitude will extend life in terminal cancer situations.  My better half is proof of this.  Keep positive and live for the moment but also maintain some normality.  Some of the best things are the simple ones.  My other half has decided we are going sea swimming every Thursday morning, or even paddling.  The first week last week was amazing.  Her mum and brother came, the sun came out, I went for a full swim(without Greenpeace being called to rescue a beached whale) and it has proved a focus point for friends and family.  There is a growing list of people coming to join us.

For the first time today I spoke to someone at the Mustard Tree in Plymouth who are the local Mac Millan centre.  What an amazing place and people.  It really helped with the dealing with things and asking for/accepting help.  Talking it through it seems I was seeing it as failure.  She also emphasised the need to ring fence time for me and explain this to the family.  So I am now going to book in rides twice a week and make the effort to meet up with mates.  Also accepted the in-laws offer to pay for a cleaner to help take off the pressure.

Also managed to get out on Dartmoor after for just over an hour on my half charged ebike.  In the driving rain what therapy it proved.  Being alone with my own thoughts was soooo positive.  This was my first outside ride in a couple of months.  I even managed to speak to the people involved in the trail therapy scheme I set up in Plymouth and we are eventually going to run a scheme for cancer sufferers and friends and family with me leading.  The funding is there and hopefully will prove popular.

Finally I have booked a follow up in 4 weeks and am actually looking forward to it.

Maybe we should all take a little bit of F@@@ it moving forward.  I am now stopping myself instantly saying no and finding excuses not to do something.  I am riding a very short distance to the pub for pizza and beer tomorrow and I am sure the world will not fall apart without me home!!

Cheers guys. Even just writing it down helps and I know the missus is right!  Had to drag out the fat Yeti t shirt.
Taken the positive step of packing the bike for a ride after therapy.
Jim. sorry to hear it has come back.  There are now apparently studies proving a positive outlook extends survival rates.  I hope the new treatment works and as we now say you can only deal with what is in front of you.  You are right the kids are the hardest thing for the missus even though they are older.  she got to the twins GCSE results and the eldest getting a first, being at the graduation and new job.
Will be working on the health this week.

Lots of turbo this week due to busy family and kids.  Nearly didn’t do it yesterday but ended on a weighs session fro 30 min in the garage just before the rugby!!

Nationwide have a savings account that is paying around 5.5% but more appealing a regular savings one that pays 8% but limited to £200 a month but a good chunk of a bike in interest after 12 months combined with the rest in a high interest savings account

Sparksmcduff the dog has lifted the mood as he is a puppy and not allowed for walks until 3 weeks time.  It has been a particularly difficult week as the better half has been to hospital more than usual and he has provided distraction for me and made me stop.  Can’t wait for the walks though!

I had been on Citilipran for 6 months and a week without a feeling way better.  Dog has also given me a focus beside my wife’s illness.

Hopefully be able to get back outside for exercising this week!!

Mattyfez I had the same worries and spoke to the GP about long term use and said was fine.

Interested if the Citilipran had an impact on the stomach as as soon as I stopped taking it stomach was mist settled in ages

Cheers Kramer.  Brilliant reassurance of what I thought I had worked out!

Difficult week but kept the exercise up which helps!

Reversed last weeks gain but had an ok week working on 100days before Xmas!

Not the most positive start!  Chucked in a bit first week but started to do the 100 days of exercise.
Mainly its made me work out I snack way to much.
Aiming to get back on it for next week!!

If it stops pissing down tomorrow

I am just finishing a conversion with a longer garage and bed over but on a h3 Relay. Had the the bed across on Version 1 but this made it tight getting bikes in so have gone for a bed the other way which is longer(190cm). shower and toilet over arch and the bed much higher.
Managed to easily get 4 bikes in the other day but with front wheel off. Haven’t tried 1 or 2 with wheels on.
Will get some photos taken when I get a chance if you want some.

I left teaching after 15 years and worked for myself building and property development.
Had a very supportive wife who backed and trusted me.
Really enjoyed the freedom and ability to be reasonably flexible.
Lots of transferable skills particularly with people skills although I spent the first few years wanting to throttle unreliable tradesmen.
I am now also working with a bike project putting some of my skills to use and there are many areas for working in this area. Lots of people well paid and making a difference in the social enterprise sector.
Hope that helps. If they happen to be in Plymouth they can drop me a line for contacts.

I was Shimano for ages but ended up with AXS with shimano and sunrise cassettes and all good.
One of the kids has 12 speed SLX on Sram cassette and all good.
Always likes the spacing and wear on the Sunrace cassettes. Price always good as well

So sorry for your lose. We are a long way into the S*&t inevitable cancer journey and STW gives me real comfort even though I don’t comment much.
You are correct cancer sucks but don’t dwell on what ifs. I did at the beginning but decided time was too precious.

I had mine done a few years ago and was told to eat normally.
I have stomach problems and nausea when not eating as much. In a stage to kick start my stomach back to normal. Doctor described a month of omezmepral which has helped and now just taking it when needed rather than everyday!

Cornwall is great but there are some really deprived areas but also some good places.
We live in Plymouth and can be on the beach or the moors in 30 mins as well as the Cornwall beaches mostly in an hour. Tend to go in the evenings though when they are quiet.
Can also ride from home and close to many trail centres and natural riding.
We love it!!

Normalguy I just couldn’t get comfortable on the Arc. thought it would be perfect but found it a bit harsh to ride. Probably an age thing. Love being back on a Ti bike now

I had a Yeti Arc but ended back on a Tinder Signal TI.
Absolutely love the feel and ride of it. If you are South West based you are welcome to try it.
Sonder also have some in their demo bike sale!