The final push

The miles are adding up

I am within sight.  Just over 2,400 miles cycled this year and next month I will cycle from London to Paris, which will add another 280 miles towards my target of 3,000 miles cycled this year.

It has been, and remains, an effort.  The rides I have been doing have averaged 45 miles per ride but that masks some pretty long rides, including 100 miles in Ride London earlier this month.  My weekends and many evenings have been taken up with riding, because getting the miles in the saddle matters.

And, the elevation gain this year means I have ridden the equivalent of six times up Everest!

So, I want to thank everyone for their support so far.  The donations to my Just Giving page are always gratefully received: https://www.justgiving.com/Mark-Flannagan5.

I also want to talk about my London to Paris ride.  It is 280 miles and, thanks to support last year and this, I have 100 names I will remember on this ride - each one being a special person linked in some way to bowel cancer.  That leaves 180 miles left to fill.  So, please, let me have a name and I will ride a mile for that name on my journey between 10th and 14th September.  I will take all the names with me and promise to take time to reflect on each name during my rides.  It will provide a daily reminder of why Beating Bowel Cancer needs to go on working hard to support everyone affected by bowel cancer and to campaign for a world where bowel cancer is beaten.

You can give me a name by donating and mentioning the name you want remembered via: https://www.justgiving.com/Mark-Flannagan5.  Or you can email me mark.flannagan@beatingbowelcancer.org.

I very much look forward to receiving more names.  It will be my honour to ride a mile for them,

Mark X

Wow. What a ride. What a great day.

Ride done

I did it.  On Sunday is took part in Ride London - 100 miles in glorious sunshine with 25,000 other riders.

It was amazing.  I was part of a massive 175 strong Beating Bowel Cancer team. We had colorectal consultants, nurses, patients, family of those with and those lost to bowel cancer.  All were pushing themselves to help beat bowel cancer.  It was a very great privilege to ride alongside so many wonderful people.  Thank you all.

Personally, I did it in under six hours, with an average speed of around 16.7 miles per hour.  That's my fastest ever ride.  The crowds were so supportive and really helped us speed along.  The route was gorgeous, taking in the sights.  Speeding round Trafalgar Square was an experience, and then out to the Surrey countryside where the view from Box Hill is something. My legs held up pretty well, until mile 80, when the fact that I had only an hour's sleep the night before resulted in a lot of whinging from me to my ride partner.  Then I got to the second and third Beating Bowel Cancer cheer points and my adrenaline kicked in again thanks to the huge cheers they gave us. I got goose bumps and felt really very emotional.  So proud of the staff and volunteers who stood for hours screaming at the top of their lung capacity to support us riders.

I rode with a friend, Clair, and for a good chunk with my nephew, Chris (that's us three in the ride selfie below).  It was lovely just riding and chatting and enjoying the company.  I also saw lots of the Beating Bowel Cancer team riders along the way.  Couldn't miss them as there were so many - about 175.  Also the team jersey has now had stripes added to the sleeves, making it easier to spot and making us all look like the Where's Wally character! 

It was fantastic to finish.  Coming up Whitehall and down the Mall to cheering crowds really makes you feel very special. And I had the loveliest welcome from the team at the post ride reception. Again, made me feel emotional!!!  Our wonderful Patron, Matt Dawson, was there too.  He was there when I started as he set us off as an official starter for Ride London.  Funnily enough he managed to overtake me and get back before me!  It was good to see him and thank him for his support.

With our Patron Matt Dawson

So, onwards.  2,346 miles done towards my 3,000 mile goal.  Next I have a 77 mile challenge with staff from Waitrose in Yorkshire.  There will be some steep climbing on that one.  Then riding London to Paris from 10 to 14 September, which is 280 miles.

It's all to help Beating Bowel Cancer continue its work - supporting everyone affected by bowel cancer, campaigning for change and raising awareness.

All support/donations very welcome.  You can do so here: https://www.justgiving.com/Mark-Flannagan5

Riding in memory and in tribute

Soggy but happy it is over after Ride London 2014, with team member Andy Stevens

Last year I pledged to ride each mile of Ride London in honour of a named individual.  I was delighted to receive 99 names and the last mile of the 100 was in recognition of all those in the future who will develop bowel cancer.  The best laid plans got hijacked by the remnants of Tropical Storm Bertha and the ride was cut down to "only" 86 miles, due to the exclusion of two hills.  This really meant something special to me and did keep me going on the day.  I did soon after ride the extra miles and have kept all the names and think of them as I have continued riding.

But, this year,  I want to pay tribute again as I not only do Ride London but as I also ride from London to Paris. I will begin by starting with those names generously provided last year.  Sadly this list now includes people whom we have since lost.  This list is below.

And there is one name I want to add now, before I ask you to send me others.  This is Gary Logue, our dear colleague and Beating Bowel Cancer nurse adviser, whom we lost last November.  He was an outstanding nurse and an inspiration and, although he did not die of bowel cancer, it is right he is remembered along with many of those whom he helped.

But, my riding this year is not "just" 100 miles in Ride London on 2nd August, but a total of 3,000 miles this year.  This includes 280 miles riding from London to Paris between 10 and 14 September. So, there is ample scope to remember many more people affected by bowel cancer.  You might be one of them, or it might be someone close to you who currently going through treatment, or who has survived bowel cancer.  Or it might be someone whom you have lost.  Please let me have the name.  I promise to ride a mile in their name.  Just email me: mark.flannagan@beatingbowelcancer.org.

You do not have to donate to have someone remembered in this way.  I would see it as an honour to receive a name.  But, if you do wish to donate you can so at the link, and just mention the name you want on my list when you make your donation.  Donate here https://www.justgiving.com/Mark-Flannagan5 or you can text to give by texting BUMS63 to 70070 and your donation amount (but don't forget to email a name separately).

Thank you

Mark

My names I will ride in tribute to:

Anne Carlin; Taryn “Smithers”; Gail Allen; Philip Willingham; Bill Bonfield; Beverly Jackson; John Hepworth; Effie Macdonald; Geraint Jones; Hannah Berry; Hazel Elkamouri; Alison Selfe; Alison Michell; Tony Levy; Jane Bardsley; Stewart Coxe; Susan Wilde; John Anton; Lisa Almond; Nia Jones; Ethel Randles; Ann Cole; Heather Spooner; Rose Sloper; Sally Tuxworth; Dafydd Farr-Jones; Susan Hill; Teresa Dealessi; Toni Millard; Mary Woolnough; Bill Luff; Olive Bennett; Melanie McGarry; All the Bum Bandits; Paul Bradbury; Matthew Stockdale; Elizabeth Fountain; Ian Fountain; Nick Busby; Lynda Leach; Steve Smith, “Smiffy”; Billy Randles; Len Miller; Pat Morton; Carmen; Ke’hley; Lucy Edwards; Margery Hunter; Tracey Bushell; Avril Williams; Stan Williams; Andy Higginson; Chris Garner; The mother and father in law of Liz Torr; Myra Beckwith; Patricia Johnston; Valerie Johnson; David Hogan; Maxine Gould; Andrea Barlow; Pat Gravell; Ruth Spencer; Jim Marks; Cheryl Marks; Tim Brennan; Bob Johnston; Francis P. Rooney; Kim Cooper; June Watkins; Johanna Wathan; Kathleen Cannon; Elisabeth Strong; Keith Wiggans; Carly Wilton; Genie Henley; Mark Barnard; For all those on the Forum; David Craton; Leo McGill; Peter Bainbridge; Ian Mashen; Cath Scurrah; Mark Robson; Derek Ieuan Lewis; Rae Heald; Irene Wood; Mrs Awobode; Maggie Ryan; Malcolm Hume; Sandra Stokes; Pauline Toft; Steve Hyde; Kath Maynard; Ben Ashworth; Kate Kunzer; John Dixon; Pete Andrews; John Barrett; Roger Band; Gary Logue

The challenge

Imagine that you are told one day that you have a cancer that isn't normally talked about - it's not polite to talk about things to do with bottoms and bowels.  Imagine the shock. Perhaps you know nothing about bowel cancer.  Perhaps you did, but heard that it is a killer - you had a relative or friend die of it and they were told that nothing can be done. So, you now have to deal with this, come to terms with having a "really bad" cancer and summon up your courage to find out what can be done, whether you will survive and, if so, what the treatments will do to your body.

I have been very quiet of late and haven't begged (or should that be bugged) people for their donations.  It's time to change that!  It's time to help me to help Beating Bowel Cancer to help all those affected by bowel cancer.

Raising money for a charity is a challenge.  We all know that asking our friends and family for yet another round of sponsorship is something that we feel awkward about.  Even I, as a cancer charity Chief Executive, sometimes feel it is difficult to ask for sponsorship for my cycle challenges.   But, let me talk about a real challenge.  The challenge of living with bowel cancer.

This challenge is one that someone faces every fifteen minutes.  Bowel cancer is incredibly common - shockingly so.  One in four of us has some connection to bowel cancer - probably someone in the family has had it, or has it now.  That is why Beating Bowel Cancer has a huge job to do.  Our vision is to beat bowel cancer by bringing people together.  We bring people together to raise awareness, so this common cancer is more commonly spoken about - breaking down the taboo to make it easier to get the message across about symptoms and treatments.  We bring people together to help everyone affected by bowel cancer - providing information, support, reassurance, and hope.

Our nurses are a visible example of our work.  They answer calls and emails, providing an individual, expert support to someone who needs it.  Our website and online Forum are also there, 24 hours a day, to provide information, but also to connect people with each other, breaking down the barriers that bowel cancer can bring, providing a source of hope and inspiration.

So, friends, I need your support.  I am well on the way to my goal of cycling 3,000 miles to raise funds for our vital work.  I would like your donations/sponsorship, whatever you want to call it to help the work of Beating Bowel Cancer.  My challenge is nothing like the challenge someone is forced to face up to every fifteen minutes.  My challenge involves turning my legs over some hundreds of miles and up some (very steep at times) hills.  But, by so doing, raising money, raising awareness, I want to do my bit as Chief Executive of Beating Bowel Cancer.  I would be grateful for your support.

Please be generous.  You can donate at https://www.justgiving.com/Mark-Flannagan5. 

Thank you so much

Half way there - time for your support, please

At the beginning of this year I set out to ride a total of 3,000 miles, to raise money for Beating Bowel Cancer.  Well, the riding is going very well – to date I have ridden 1,619.5 miles.  It hasn’t been as easy as you might think, even if I am now a fully paid up MAMIL (middle aged man in lycra).  I have battled in the wind and the rain.  I have ridden darkened roads with cars behind me determined to make me yet another cycling casualty.  I have ridden up some tough hills, my biggest achievement to date being Whitedown lane, noted as one of the steepest climbs in Surrey (with bits rising to a gradient of 20%).

Some of the team at the top of Box Hill

My next challenge, one of many, is to complete the VelothonWales on 14^th June, which is 85 miles in the Welsh mountains, including a 6km ride up The Tumble, one of the toughest challenges in the UK.  I promise you, I will earn that medal.  It is a very tough challenge to be completed in a limited time.

And all I ask of you is your generosity to make it all worthwhile.  You can donate at https://www.justgiving.com/Mark-Flannagan5.

The charity which I lead, Beating Bowel Cancer, has set out ambitious, but entirely achievable goals to save 9,000 more lives over the next five years, by getting more diagnosed earlier.  To do this we need to raise awareness of bowel cancer and be clear about the standards of care that patients should receive if they are, in their own way every day, to beat bowel cancer.  Alongside this, we will go on providing support to individuals facing a dreadful diagnosis of bowel cancer – the UK’s second biggest cancer killer.  Beating Bowel Cancer runs the UK’s only nurse-led helpline for bowel cancer patients, described as a “lifeline” by many.

I am determined that we can make a difference.  I am showing that determination by my own efforts this year to cycle 3,000 miles.  This is a real challenge for me – although nothing compares to the challenge faced every day by those dealing with bowel cancer.

If you can, please give generously.  And to those who supported me last year in my Ride London fundraising campaign, thank you.  Please support me again in my even tougher challenge.  Help me to beat bowel cancer.

Please be generous.  You can donate at https://www.justgiving.com/Mark-Flannagan5. 

Thank you so much

That was epic

Who would have thought it a little over a year ago when I posted my first blog?  Last Sunday I rode 85 miles in the howling wind (40 mph gusts included), lashing rain (Ride London 2014 all over again), freezing cold (and boy were my feet cold from just a few miles in), and endured 8 hours and 50 minutes in the saddle.  And I loved it.

The Evans Woking Ride It sportive was supposed to be a test but I didn't expect it to be an endurance ride.  I thought I would be challenged, but never like this.  Just as well I wasn't going for a fast time because I effectively came in last, with three of my fellow Woking CC riders.  Here is the proof - our list of times.

I set out from the house at 7.30am, having been awake, and to be honest a little excited, since 6am - on the Sunday the clocks went forward.  So, I wasn't exactly rested.  I met a few others from my cycle club and we made our way to the registration and start.  A lot of our club were taking part so it was easy to find a sizable group of ten who were happy to ride together at a reasonable pace.

For days we had been checking the weather hoping it wasn't going to be a repeat of Ride London 2014 - i.e. raining!  But it wasn't to be.  The forecast was grim - rain and strong winds - and it proved to be entirely accurate.  Still, as a group were cheery as we were all up for the challenge.  The route turned out to be amazing. We all thought we should do it again sometime - when the sun is shining.

We made reasonable time to arrive at the feed station at 34 miles and knew all we had to do was a loop out from there, back to the same feed station and then the familiar ride home of 26 miles, at which we hoped to pick up some speed.

But.  The middle bit of the ride was pretty awful.  Just riding was like constantly going uphill because we were always battling into the wind.  The roads were awful because the rain washes stones, flint, glass, mud, bits of tree and hedge right across your path.  This makes cycling tedious as you have to really focus on what is right in front of your tyres rather than looking up around you at the world passing by.  And then, for two us, the irritation began.

Between myself and Jez we had six punctures - he had four I had two.  These are a pain on a normal day.  On a sportive you really don't want them as they slow you down and take the momentum out of your ride.  Then when, a few miles later, you have to change another one...well, let's just say you have try very hard to remain polite in company!

Jez (right) remains cheery despite another puncture

So, we soldiered on and reached the feed station for the second time some 6 and a half hours in - about the time we could have expected to be finishing on an extremely leisurely ride.  By this time we had split our group and I was riding with three others - and it turned out that we were most definitely the last four in the event.  We were so far back in the field that the Evans' man who was riding the course taking down the signs pointing the way was just a few minutes behind us and, at the end, caught up and had to mark time to save our embarrassment.

We made it back though.  Clocking in at 8 hours 50 minutes plus. We didn't care.  In fact I think we were strangely proud of coming in last.  Finishing is everything.

Thank you Evans for a great ride.  Your staff were fantastic.  I would do it again in a heartbeat.

And, if you have read this far, that surely must deserve a donation. Thank you  https://www.justgiving.com/Mark-Flannagan5

Time to get serious

300 miles a month.  That is what I need to do to achieve my target of at least 3,000 miles cycling this year.

£6,000 = my fundraising target - enough to fund our Bowel Cancer Helpline for a month.

Both are big challenges for me to achieve.  But neither compares to the challenge people living with bowel cancer face every day.

I am not asking you to support my cycling - although cheering me on physically and virtually is always welcome.  I am asking you to help the work of Beating Bowel Cancer - the support and campaigning charity for everyone affected by bowel cancer.  Beating Bowel Cancer does not receive any government funding.  Most of our money raised each year is from individuals who recognise that beating the UK's second biggest cancer killer should be a priority for us all.  What Beating Bowel cancer does with that money really makes a difference.

We fund the UK's only Bowel Cancer Helpline, which allows patients and others talk directly to our nurses by phone or email.  What our nurses do is amazing, and is often a lifeline for those in need. I have heard our nurses talk to patients facing the bleakest of outlook and help them make choices that has led directly to a better result.

We produce a range of information booklets, a vital source of support for patients, and often their families, because the questions that worry them most are the ones that they find answered in our booklets.

We connect people affected by bowel cancer, every day through our unique online forum, where those with direct experience of bowel cancer can share these experiences in a helpful and honest way.

Our annual Patient Day brings together almost 300 patients and carers to hear from leading doctors and nurses about bowel cancer treatments and new developments, and also provides people with a place to share each other's hopes and concerns.

We campaign to make things better for bowel cancer patients and to make bowel cancer a priority in society.  We campaign to make everyone aware of the symptoms and to get more people diagnosed earlier - both will save lives.

We are a voice for bowel cancer and without our voice life would be a lot worse for many dealing with bowel cancer.

So, my cycling is my personal challenge that will help Beating Bowel Cancer meet the challenge of bowel cancer for many.  My target is to cycle at least 3,000 miles this year in total.  This will be a step up from my normal efforts and a real stretch for me that will require dedicated training. I aim to earn your donations!  Please support me via Cycling to Kazakhstan and please share it with others.

Thank you.  XX