Life's adventures
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Welcome to Episode 7 Day 5 My trip ends in Lourdes
In short the weather for the next week is going to be crap. Also I’ve loaded up the bike too much and its all becoming a pain. The good bit is that I spent the day exploring Lourdes. Find out the whole story by listerning to my podcast. Thanks for joining me on my journey..
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Welcome to Episode 7 Day 4 Bedarieux to Lourdes by Train.
The previous days riding left me battered bruised. I woke up and looked out of the smelly rooms bedroom window. The weather looked grey. The mountains in the distance were covered by dark grey clouds filled to the brim with water. My exit plan was in full swing. Get the train to warm climbs. Head north west to Toulouse or Lourdes better still. I arrived at the station at 8am. Were is the ticket office. A sign on the window says, open at 9.30 am. I looked around not knowing what to do. Then from now where a women showed up. She clearly worked there. I asked how I buy a ticket. Billette I asked in my made up French. She pointed to a machine. This is where my problem began. Listen to my podcast to find out more.
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Welcome to Episode 7 Day 3 Montpellier to Bedarieux, 55 miles.
This was a hard day. In fact very hard. I didn’t expect this to be so tough. The mountain just didn’t stop coming and this was in part because of the Garmin Touring plus route choice. It just loves to take you on the scenic route. When I finally got to Bedarieux I was disappointed. There seems to be a lot of poverty around and I think it attracts a lot of immigrate workers. The place looks iron down and doesn’t have that rustic french feel to it.
In view of a few days climbing mountains Ive decided to get on a train out of here. Listen to the podcast for the full sp.
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Welcome to Episode 6 Day 2 Nimes to Montpellier
Today was a lazy day. Taking full advantage of a nice soft large bed before a long days ride.
Crepe pitstop
Today’s ride took me thru Le Vidourle with it’s lovely water fall where i stopped for a crepe filled with nuttella and an expresso. The waterfall is at Villetelle. I continued on to Lansargues while making my way to Montgpellier. Finally called it a day in a campsite call Eden. Im finding a lot of campsite dont infact like people with tents. Found one in the end with part services open. No food availible so had to make do with noodles.
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Welcome to Episode 5 The Day after Mount Ventoux
Today was the first day of my ride home to back to the uk. Coming off the back of riding Mont Ventoux, Today was going to be hard. Having said that I still managed to put in a solid 70 miles and ended my day in Nimes. Had to stump up the cost of a hotel as all the camping sites were full or didn’t like my face. To tell you the truth in was probably for the best as my body needed a nice bath to relax and a good bed to sleep in.
The beating of Mount Ventoux is a was eased by the help of the Mario, James, Christian and Phillip. We all conquered the Mountain and got home save and sound. This will be my fifth time climbing Ventoux and I think it his year was the hardest due to a few extras pounds. This ride home will kick start my dreams of a slender body in to gear.
I”ll sign off now will a photo montage of the last few days.
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Welcome to Episode 4
In this episode I asked the question do you need to get fit before going on the cycle tour?
Thorn Sherpa Bike 510XL with Standard forks £999.00
Brooks Saddle £100.00
Ortlieb Front Roller Plus – Hazel/Black – 25Ltr £84.00
Ortlieb Back Roller Plus – Hazel/Black – 40Ltr £94.00
The Altura Orkney Bar Bag with 7 litre capacit £54.00
The Shimano A530 Touring Pedals £41.00
lights £100.00
Sub Total £1,472.00
Thorn Sherpa Touring Bike
Frame:
Thorn Sherpa frame and fork set 510XL Satin Stealth Black with silver decals
Shimano Deore HG50 9 Speed Cassette – 11-32, Budget Sealed Bearing Tapered Bottom Bracket with Steel Shimano Splined Cups – 113 mm,FSA Alpha Drive MTB Chainset 8/9 Speed – 24/36/48T – 170mm, Shimano RD-T661 Deore LX Top Normal / Standard Rear Derailleur – SGS, Shimano Deore SL-M590 RapidFire 9 Speed Shift Lever / Pods,Shimano Deore FD-M591 9 Speed Conventional Swing Dual Pull Multifit Front Derailleur, KMC X9-93 116 Links 9 Speed Chain – Silver / Grey.
Shimano Acera BL-M421 V Brake Levers, Shimano M422 Acera V-brake Front, Shimano M422 Acera V-brake Rear.
Wheels: 26″ (559) Wheelset 36h Rigida Grizzly Rims with Shimano HB-RM70 Hubs in Black, Schwalbe Marathon HS368 Rigid Tyre – 26 x 2.00 Inch (50-559)
Thorn Mk2 Comfort Handlebars – 25.4mm Clamp – Black, SKS chromoplastic 26in mudguards Black 55(include fitting kit), Velo Deluxe Sports Mens Saddle – Black,Kalloy AS-009 UNO 1 1/8 Inch Ahead Stem +17 Deg – 25.4mm Clamp – Black – 100mm, Herrmans DD08B Comfort D.D. Dual Density Ergonomic Handlebar Grips – 120 mm Length – Black / Grey.
Thorn Expedition Steel Rear Cycle Pannier Rack – Black Powdercoat, Thorn MkV Cro Mo Steel Low Loader – Black Powder Coat, Zefal Ping Bell – Black NO PEDALS
Saddle and Bags
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Welcome to the Episode 1 of Cycle For Your Life.
Back in late 2012, my life changed path dramatically. I remember the day when my then wife asked me for a divorce. For me, this was a total bolt out of the blue and left me total and utterly in a spin. The following month’s left me feeling lost and depressed. As the dust settled on the bombshell. I felt I had to take control of my life. This is when I decided to go on an adventure. This is the start of my three-month cycling tour of Spain, Portugal, France and finally, Italy.
My brothers and sisters doing what they do. Please support them if you can
“Life is What Happens To You While You’re Busy Making Other Plans”
I heard that quote a few times over the years, but recently it has become more profound and I firmly believe that to be the case. Life is a journey with interactions with people and situations that can change the course of your life. That’s not to say you have no control and you should just bounce off one life’s event to another and see what happens. I think it’s more about how you deal with life’s unplanned situations and make the most of what you have.
I believe that we are always growing and changing, for some of us, it’s on a conscious level and for other’s it’s on a subconscious level. Life may not always be a bed of roses but remember the person you are and be the best version of you.
In 2013 my dreams became a reality. I packed in my job and went for it. In June 2013 I took the ferry from Portsmouth to Santander in Spain and started my trip. I rode the coast 
of Spain, Portugal, South of France and finally ending in Italy. The trip lasted for three months and I loved every second of it. Every day was a new adventure and an experience at every corner. From being, arrested for not using a bike helmet in Spain to staying in a brothel
in Marseille are just a few of the memories I have from my trip. I can honestly say the whole experience changed me in so many ways. The freedom from the day to day routine of life made a lasting impression on me and to this day I dream of doing a similar ride again. I
kept a blog of my trip and called it (Keep the coast of the right). This was my first ever blog.
That trip left me with a new found confidence and self-belief that took me to so many new places and adventures in my life. Late in 2014 I started a new job which took me to new countries and then in 2015 I rode with a group of guys called “The Fire flies tour” The Tour is a charity that supports Blood cancer research. On that tour I rode 1080 kilo meters and climbed 18 mountains in ten days. This was an amazing trip and I thank the Fireflies for the opportunity to ride with me. For Those Who Suffer We Ride. The motto of the Flies.
To this day a ride every day and love it. I feel cycling has saved my life and this is why I’ve called this blog “Cycle For Your Life”. In this blog I will be writing my thoughts and views on cycling, wellness and my life views.
Peace and respect
How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours
Quote by Dr Wayne Dyer
