London to Brighton 2009 - Doing It For Dad

Chris Olney (that's him on the right) is doing our London to Brighton Bike Ride this summer for the very first time. He's now one month into his training, so we've asked him to post regularly to this blog in the run-up to the event.

If you are also taking part in the ride and would like to share your training experiences or other L2B stories with us and others, please include them in the comments area below this post. Here's Chris's story so far...

"Hi! My name's Chris, I am 24, from Dartford in Essex, and am doing the London to Brighton Bike Ride this June.

"I am interested in raising money for the BHF because I have lost many family members, including my Dad nearly four years ago, through heart problems of one form or another.

"My Dad was a healthly man and never smoked or drank to excess, and so I want to help raise awareness that it can affect anyone, not just the danger groups you always hear about.

"I, like most of the country, find it difficult to do make sure I am exercising at least three times a week, so I have had to be extra disciplined with my training for this ride.

"Don't get me wrong, I am not hoping to win it! But just to finish I have realised will be quite some achievement.

"I started training for this about one month ago, and my general week consists of two gym sessions during the week with lots of work on the cycling machine and a bit of running.

"Then I do one cycle on a Saturday or Sunday. The big ride I do at the weekend I have been increasing the distance each week. I did ten miles last weekend, and I could really feel it on Monday morning on the front of my legs - there was a lot of uphill involved though!

"So as 10 miles is still a long way off the length of London to Brighton, I still have a long way to go. I am doing 12-15 miles this weekend and will let you know how it goes this week - as long as i can reach my computer!"

More from Chris here next week. If you are also taking part in the ride and would like to share your training experiences or other L2B stories with us and others, please include them in the comments area below.

London to Brighton - Doing It for Dad (Part Four)

Chris Olney (pictured right) is cycling in our 2009 London to Brighton Bike Ride this summer for the very first time, and is one of our guest bloggers for the event.

Here's his latest update on his training and fundraising progress in the run-up to the big day...

"Training has been going well! It's much easier to motivate yourself when the weather is good. I've been doing more running than cycling over the last two weeks or so, as I am finding it it building my stamina up more.

"I've done a couple of long bike rides to keep the legs working, as I find that if I dont go for a long cycle for more than six days my legs really hurt again. But if I keep I regular they are fine - what a wimp I am!

"I'm going to pick it up a bit over the next week or so and start cycling to things that I need to do anyway, like going to the shops or going into town.

"That way at least I can feel there is a purpose to the training. Strangely, I have also found the motivation of a pub lunch on a long cycle ride helps me to get to the finish!

"Until next time, Chris..."

Are you getting ready for the London to Brighton Bike Ride this year? If so, let us know how your training and preparations are going (or not!) so far by posting a comment below...

See all posts by Chris here

London to Brighton 2009 - Doing It For Dad (Part Two)

Chris Olney (pictured right) is taking part in our 2009 London to Brighton Bike Ride this summer for the very first time, and is blogging about his training for us.

If you missed his first blog post you can read it here - meanwhile here's the second of his weekly instalments...

"Since I last wrote I have had a good week on training front. I have started wearing some ankle weights when i am not training too, and am finding that these are helping my legs to get in shape.

"The tops of my legs have been killing me after I do the long weekend cycles. Mind you, these ankle weights do look funny - when they are covered with jeans I look like I have elephant feet.

"I did a 12-mile cycle at the weekend, and did not find it too bad considering that it was mostly uphill. I purchased a new bike for this, which I got at the weekend.

"I think the new one has made it easier than my knackered old thing i was using before. Am also looking at fancy dress outfits I can do the London to Brighton in!

"I am doing it with a friend of mine, Shaun Buckle, so let me know if you have any funny ideas for the two of us. The only thing I'm ruling out is a kilt.

"I am finding that running every other day is proving to be as much help to us as the cycling practise. Talk again next week!"

If you're also taking part in the ride and would like to share your training experiences or other L2B stories with us and others, please post them in the comments area below...

London to Brighton - Doing It For Dad (Part Three)

Chris Olney (pictured right) is cycling in our 2009 London to Brighton Bike Ride this summer for the very first time, and is one of our guest bloggers for the event.

Here's his latest update on his training and fundraising progress in the run-up to the big day...

"Hi everyone! It's been a bit tough going this week. No particular reason, just that I found it hard to motivate myself after a day a work to go out and cycle or run for a couple of hours - a feeling I'm sure that many of you can understand.

"Having said that, I have still done two gym sessions and two long bike rides - one of ten miles and the other a little bit less. Still using the ankle weights, which I definately recommend. They help you train when you are just going about your normal buisness.

"On the fundraising front, I've found some people being a bit tight due to the credit crunch, but it is ticking along nicely. My company britishinformation.com have said this week they will be sponsoring me to do the ride, which I'm sure will boost the pot quote a bit.

"I was getting a bit bored of cycling on the roads where I live, so I'm doing a few rides further afield than my local area Dartford, and am hoping that will give me some more inspiration.

"All in all it's going well though, and it helps knowing that you are getting fit for a goal not just for the sake of it."

London to Brighton Bike Ride 2009 Pics and Messages

Take a look at our live coverage on Twitter and our online photo galleries on Flickr

Some great pics of people like John and Rob, doing London to Brighton for their seventh year - five years dressed as fat ladies!

They're doing it for Dad who was affected by heart disease.

Next year they're thinking about dressing up as married fat ladies!

Tell us your L2B story by posting a comment below...