Justice, solidarity...

... anything but charity. That's what rough sleepers really need.

If you didn't see it, catch the BBC's 'Famous, Rich, and Homeless' ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00lfhhx/Famous_Rich_and_Homeless_Episode_1/ ), which aired this week.

As with everything associated with the Big Issue, it excluded all possibility of sentiment or liberal handwringing. What it did once again demonstrate was that the homeless need no more nor less than our engagement both with them as individuals and the realities that trap them in their existence.

Please watch. Don't weep. Engage. Buy, talk, vote, sponsor me... please ... http://www.justgiving.com/ianvsthedowns/

Back to Odiham - up the downs

June 14th - another gorgeous morning. Need to take on the Downs again.

Southampton - out the back route via Hursley - Sparsholt - Littleton - King's Worthy - the other Worthies to Alresford - then Cheriton - Heriard - Upton Grey to my parents at Odiham. Barbara and the girls followed up in the car and we chilled for the afternoon with Mum & Dad. 43 miles in just over 3 hours. 2 stops

PS tried out the Trek road bike, kindly lent by my friend John Irvine (http://www.clearrock.ca/). Very much improved times but no less effort.

Pictures are of the bike and the church at Littleton.

It's not just the long runs...

...Cycling can be very sociable. This is one of my practice buddies, Chris...

12 miles on the Saturday June 6th. Followed-up with a round trip on the Sunday of about 33 miles.

Following week was Hook (by train) - Odiham - Cheriton - Alresford - Twyford Down - St Cross - Otterbourne - Chandler's Ford - home. 43 miles in 3 hours. Picture is the delightful church at Cheriton...

8 weeks of training

This update is long overdue. Since the IoW Randonnée, work has been burning up and my weekends precious.

But, at least I've been able to get out and about. May 17th saw me venture up onto the South Downs. This image is Chilcomb Down.

Ahh... the open road... ...the MoD Firing Range...

That was 35 miles. Ironically, weather was beautiful of way out, but rain kicked in on way back.