An interesting and educational weekend

Every time out on the bike I learn something new - hills, cadence, fuelling properly, etc. This weekend I learned lots - including something I don't want to see again.

To begin with lessons learned and some team work arose out of a bad situation.  A lovely ride to take in Box Hill with seven others on Saturday turned into a close call for one and his pelvis broken.  We were coming down the other side of Box Hill and Mike was taking a corner when his brakes locked, he skidded into an oncoming van and ended up on his back in the middle of the road.  Result was ambulance, paramedic, assorted police cars (including a full road traffic accident team), a stressed out group of cyclists and a phone call to his wife.  Mike has broken his pelvis in two places and we are waiting to see how long to recover. No Ride London to raise funds for the MS Society for him (we had just been talking fundraising tips).  The lessons?  Things can change very quickly. When accidents happen everyone has a role and people come together very well.  So, not a nice thing to happen but the team came together.  Mike has all our best wishes for a speedy recovery. And I don't think his back wheel is fixable!

Not going anywhere - new wheel needed

We rode back under a cloud and completed the 46 miles at a slower speed than we set out to.  A real shame as we were all on a high after taking Box Hill pretty much easily.

The talk at the Woking Cycle Club meet up on Sunday was about Mike and wishing him well.  Then off to Windsor town centre for our half way stop.  This ride, 32 miles total, was another reminder how dodgy it can be to be on the roads.  It seemed that there were more drivers than ever trying to overtake at speed, getting frustrated when they couldn't (and why do they insist on doing so on a blind bend?), pulling in on our riders and then shouting or showing abuse.   Time for education that riding single file isn't an option as that makes overtaking harder (longer line to drive past), that two abreast is safer for everyone and that, frankly, car drivers being an unmentionable doesn't help.

Anyway...the ride was pleasant despite some drivers (and many were really very good) and I added to the 32 miles with another 24 of my own to make 56 miles in one go - key goal reached.  Over 100 miles in two days.  Legs aren't too tired, I slept well and raring to go (after two rest days to come).

Next Sunday we plan to recce the Surrey Hills part of the Prudential Ride London route, including doing Leith Hill.  Aiming for 60+ miles too.  So, despite an accident and being conscious of the road, I am feeling very positive about cycling.  Can't stop now. Seven weeks and it will be done and I will be looking for my next challenge.

I would like your support. £300 could run our nurse helpline for a day. £100 could enable our patient volunteers to talk to local groups to raise awareness. £50 could cover the cost of running our online patient forum for a day, where patients talk to each other, providing support and reassurance. If you can, please be generous and donate via www.justgiving.com/Mark-Flannagan3.