Bradford Bulls vs Catalans collection

I have to admit to some trepidation about this. It is quietly amusing, all this prep for the challenge and if it weren't I wouldn't be doing it. But I'm not sure I'm ready for 10,000+ people to be laughing at me as I ride round Odsal stadium. Still, I quite like rugby league - its a bit more spectator-friendly than rugby union - so will enjoy the game as well.

Don't get me wrong, I quite like watching rugby union too, its just a bit more of a players game than the league version. I mean, more of it happens in the rucks and mauls.... I think I'll stop digging, the hole is just getting bigger.

Will be updating the blog again after the event.... thanks again and again and again to John from CREW for organising it for me. This should be my major sponsorship piece.

Oh, yes. Did I tell you the jerseys are on order? I'm expecting a mock up sometime this week so if I can, I'll post something on the blog so you can see what I'm going to be wearing.


What a game! Bulls slaughtered the French. I think they were over-awed by the thought of crazy English cyclists on fold-up bicycles.... We collected £380.58 - which I've rounded up to £400 on the Justgiving page to make sure the fees are covered - I'm sure we could have topped £500 if I'd had more people helping, but it is still a great result.

Odd, isn't it? One of the half-time organisers said "Surprisingly quick, isn't it?" when I'd finished my two laps of the pitch. I just gave him a lop-sided grin and agreed. But really its all in the legs and lungs. If you haven't got those, you won't be able to make any bike go fast, no matter how little it weighs.

Which reminds me!! I've been meaning to weigh the beast for a while because it feels quite heavy. I finally got 'a round tooit' today and put it on the bathroom scales. (the same ones I weigh myself on, so any inaccuracy is consistent!)

Would you believe 14.5kg? (31.9lb for my American readers or 2 1/4 stone for those too old or idle to learn metric in the UK) For comparison, I weighed my road bike - which was complete with tool kit, spare tube and lights - 11kg (24lb or 1 3/4 stone) I guess if I can lose 3.5kg (7lb or 1/2 stone) before I go, I shouldn't notice any difference. Anyone prepared to sponsor me to do so? Ha ha... I weighed 79kg this morning.

Thankyou Bradford Bulls supporters for your generosity today. I've acheived target. Just the ride itself to do now.