Proof... it can be done - the Isle of Wight Randonnée

Today, as a test of my preparation, I joined 2,000 other cyclists in the Isle of Wight Randonnée - a 100km circumnavigation of this hilly island. See http://www.cycleisland.co.uk/ . These are the photos.

For some reason, they have come out in reverse order...
* 8am Southampton-Cowes ferry
* Queuing at the chain ferry
* Checkpoint Yarmouth
* The fantastic Freshwater Bay - down and up again
* Checkpoint Whitwell
* Me and my certificates - in serious pain

I can't believe the wide variety of people taking part. All sorts and conditions.

As for myself, the pace was good, the pain was significant. I avoided getting off to walk, and - of the 6 stages - I think it was stages 3 and 5 which caned the most. For the first time, I had serious doubts and the cramps were kicking in. However, this has shown that 70 miles (including the ride to/from the ferry from home) is feasible and given me some ideas about the way to continue the build-up to July 23rd.

I've been blessed with my first target £1,400 sponsorship from friends and colleagues. Today, I am resolved to redouble efforts to getting more from strangers.

Milestones

Brilliant ! Thanks to Linda S and Jenn, I've now hit the baseline goal of £1,400 sponsorship ! Thanks soo much to all of you who have contributed. (Check out the Justgiving site linked from this page).

What this means is that EVERY POUND of sponsorship from now on - PLUS any Gift Aid uplift - will go DIRECT to the Big Issue Foundation.
Go on ! It's pay day...

Building it up

Since launching my campaign, I've been gradually building up the miles. Some of this has been with friends, some on my lonesome. Every weekend, I've been trying to push the envelope, based on weekdays doing a bit of work on cycling machines and so on.

In April, I reported breaking the 30 mile mark. That felt like a biggy. In July, I shall be doing more than twice that for 3 days in a row, but it seemed psychologically important. Also important is the business of looking after knees, joints and tendons etc, so this is followed-up by Pilates and some weights work.

This picture shows me at Easter weekend, cracking the 40 mile for the first time. A lovely Easter Monday lunchtime at Corhampton, which saw me also take on the South Downs head onwards.

There truly are some gorgeous view in South Hampshire.

Peter’s Story

Peter came to the U.K in July 2008 from Hungary. He was introduced to the Big Issue by a Hungarian vendor. It was obvious from the start that Peter would face numerous barriers if he was going to settle in England.

Peter landed in the country with not much money, no accommodation, no support network and he didn’t speak the language. Despite the obstacles Peter faced he always seemed driven to make a go of it. 

Peter came in and had an assessment at The Big Issue with Darren, a Big Issue Foundation Service Broker, who identified the need to prioritise accommodation. Darren got him in to a night shelter but because he wasn’t eligible for benefits he knew even this basic accommodation would not be long term. Darren then looked into rooms in the Bristol area and how much it would cost for Peter to get in somewhere.

Darren came up with some prices and an action plan for Peter to save up. He started using the vendor bank on a daily basis to save for magazines and towards a deposit. Peter eventually saved enough money for a deposit and got a room.  He continued to sell the magazine to pay his rent and living expenses.

Peter’s permanent pitch was outside a bakery. He was there every day working hard to sell magazines and the owner of the bakery was so impressed he offered him part-time work. Peter still sold The Big Issue and worked at the Bakery using the vendor bank until with the help of The Big Issue he managed to get his own bank account.

With the support of Darren, Peter then applied for a grant from The Big Issue Vendor Support Fund. Peter wanted a workers registration card so that he could work full time. The card was £90.00, he applied for £72.00 and put in the £18.00 contribution. He received his card and this resulted in the bakery taking him on as a full time employee.

Peter is no longer vending but he occasionally comes in the office if he needs help with forms, which Darren is happy to do. Peter used the Big Issue as a stepping stone to make a life in the U.K and Darren says that is had been a pleasure to work with him.