Oh, what a night!.. Claire's 2010 summary

Oh, what a night!
Late September back in 2009
What a very special time for me (and Ben) What a maybe? What a night!!

OK, so I've changed a few of the words and the song echoes round my head!

That was when Ben was told to shape up, face his health issues head on, and do something positive to see his young family grow up. It’s been 15 months and the time has flown!

Ben set his stall out to get in shape and WOW, did he ever surpass that!

I got dragged, kicking and howling with laughter, into the equation a year ago, when Ben announced his intention to train up to professional athlete status and accomplish ‘The Ride of his Life’ to raise money for kids who aren't as fortunate as ours, and lack a loving family.

When I sit and reflect upon that statement alone, I get a lump in my throat. All kids deserve a fabulous childhood, no matter what their colour, creed or family status. That alone drives Ben, myself and the team onwards and upwards - and look how far we have all come in a year!

We have the website, a magnificent team of professionals, sponsors joining our happy band all the time, and Ben has done the impossible! He’s got more than fit, he has accomplished his aims, and now sits on a bike for hours, knowing that the ball he set in motion a year ago cannot be stopped.

He competed in and finished a bike race he shouldn't even have entered in June, the Mallorca 312, and did it in around 15 hours – shutting up loads of critics and growing in stature immeasurably on a personal level! He finished last in a starting field of professional athletes who fell by the wayside along the hardest, most gruelling course in Europe with the first 100km being up a series of mountain ranges. To finish was way more than he or anyone else expected!

Ben has overcome mountains of pain and physical obstacles that most of us would not even attempt and he does it with massive smiles, loads of laughter and with the help of one of his now best mates, Dave Bladon. Dave is aiding and abetting him get to the mental and physical shape that is required to start in April 2011 to complete this momentous challenge.

He has discovered new friends over in Mallorca, who help him train out on the road, have given him invaluable support and challenge him constantly! He has roped in many others via the team to join him in getting into a new shape, instead of the round one we were all used to!

When Ben has fears, worries and questions about his mental and physical abilities, I remind him of how far he has come in such a few short months, how he has inspired so many people, how much support he has all over Europe and from reading the stats from our website, this has now gone global! He has followers in the Americas and as far afield as Down Under!

So as we all settle ourselves down for a merry, fun filled, family and friends filled Christmas, Ben is coming home with his family, not for a rest, but (weather permitting) to complete 1,000 km. He’s only taking Christmas day off and that's only because I refuse to follow him in a car as he pedals off on yet another 200 km ride!

Spare him a thought, talk about his achievements with your family and friends, spread the word, help us to reach the million followers on Facebook that we want and put a few words of inspiration for him on his website. And if you can, spare him a few quid, donate!

As we enter 2011, the clock is ticking down rapidly and the heat is on for the entire team, let alone Ben.

And when it comes to thinking about your New Year resolutions, just think about what Ben has accomplished in 12 months. Make a resolution and stick to it and see how your year can improve beyond measure!

On behalf of Ben, the team and myself, we would like to wish you all a Synfully wondrous Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

See you all in 2011 xx

Claire

Mr Grimsdale!!!! - Dave's training blog

Rest in peace Norman Wisdom, knowing that your legacy lives on through Ben Miles. Where did that come from, well his image just flashed before me last week as Ben was in the gym just polishing off a gruelling abs workout. He was at the end of an hour’s gym session, lying on his back like a dying fly, struggling with the last 5 reps. Ben lost his form, wriggling like a snake, face red and contorted with little murmurs....... erhhh erhhh, erhhhh, (the only thing missing was Mr Grimsdale – for those who can remember?!) honestly it was the best Wisdom impression I have ever seen. Now I kid you not, he had a shower and walked out the gym in a scarf and flat cap, you couldn't have scripted that. Apparently Cenk bought him the gear for his birthday – priceless.

So how's the training going? Well I think Ben's lost his bike… I think he's eaten it as he's put on a couple of kilos. Joking apart it is a really tough time, very disjointed due to Ben going on a Quad jolly with his buddies for a week. I’ve been off Mallorca for a chunk of time too, and with Christmas coming up there's been little consistency in his training for December. We’ve been training in the gym, a good few sessions this week in preparation for the next phase of training which is a 5 day, 1,000km UK cycle over Christmas. So whilst you’re sat watching the Queen’s speech with a crepe paper hat, sharing crappy Christmas cracker jokes with the comfort of a warm coffee & brandy, our caped hero will be out on his bike – that's dedication and determination for you.

Now is the biggest challenge of it all for Ben. It’s now a mental challenge not so much a physical one. The hype and adulation has dyed down, it's cold, short, dark days, familiar routes and programs to follow. I can tell you form my experience you don't want to be out on the road. The next 6 weeks are so, so hard to keep motivated and strong. Ben is strong, he has character, he's tough but we all have our limits. Now is the time to that he needs support from everyone, he needs a mental push, he needs every single one of us to rally round and encourage and get over this hurdle into 2011 and the countdown for the ride of his life.

So in the words of Lord Kitchener – WE NEED YOU. If you haven't spoken to Ben for a while, pick up the phone, send a message, make a donation. Whatever your actions, spare a thought for what he is doing, what he's trying to achieve and the sacrifices he has made and is going to make as a proud family man.

Have a fantastic festive season and I wish you all a healthy, prosperous 2011, thanks for reading and your continued support.

Dave