Save yourself, save yourself…

No, that’s not a line from Saving Private Ryan, it’s Ben (but it sounded like Jim Bowen in my ears with that northern accent): “OK, phase 1’s in the bag. That’s safe, save yourself son, that Puig Major’s a bugger, it’s spit me out so many times – I’m pacing myself today”.

Look - no hands!

Within that breath two pro cyclists went spinning past –WHOOSH – WHOOSH – WHOOSH. Hold on what’s Ben doing chasing them?

Imagine Ben & Jerry, oh no that’s an ice cream, I mean Tom & Jerry (Ben being Tom – hold on that’s getting too confusing!).

Anyway he’s off chasing like a maniac, I’m doing 50km and can’t get anywhere near them… he must be up to 65km down that hill. To say Ben’s competitive is an understatement. Well that pretty much sums up his character and determination, that’s why he’s ready for the “ride of his life” in 10 days, and that’s why I’ve enjoyed training him.

Saturday we cycled 135km of mountains, the toughest route in Mallorca, as difficult as Ben will experience on his journey. But we did it with comfort. For the first time Ben enjoyed that route, he’s confident, ready – in fact we stopped off to admire the scenery and have a coffee & sandwich instead of head down pure training!


We started out 12 months ago as complete strangers – trainer & client – and we rode the 135km on Saturday as mates – chatting, laughing and just enjoying each other’s company.

I’m not saying it’s been an easy journey. For both of us, so much has happened but those events have made us both so stubborn & resilient and strong enough to tackle the journey. A great example was Sunday. Ben was due to ride so I wished him luck by text. I could tell by his reply he wanted some downtime to chill with his family. I nagged him (if you can nag by text?!), his reply was “I’m all lycrad up”. I got another text 3 hours later, after getting another 90km under his belt “I hate you”. I laughed out loud – that’s the kind of relationship we have, I’m not his trainer, just a mate who happens to be a fitness trainer.



Bring it on!



Are we ready? Too right we are! This is not just a fitness challenge but a mental challenge. I guess we’re pretty mental to take this on, I mean mental as we’re both quirky characters, quirky but mentally very tough. 

As Ben always says “How do you eat an elephant – a chunk at a time”. That’s how we tackle this, a chunk of road every day until there’s no road left, nothing will get in our way.

Let’s go and eat some road matey!

Feeling HOT, HOT, HOT! – Dave’s training blog

Not sure how it happened but it did… it felt natural and comfortable and I could never have imagined it when we first met – after all it's only been 9 months.

So there we were, all hot and sweaty, naked and exhausted. We couldn't take any more – we got out of the SAUNA and had a shower… Come on, what did you think? You should know what my blogs are like by now!

So here we are, at the end of January and on the last leg of training. Where's the time gone?! Well I do know that we feel right on track and really positive about the challenge. Recently we discussed the route that Cenk had recalculated and feel so confident that we’re prepared.

We had our first ride of the new year a couple of weeks ago – a nice 65km to blow the cobwebs away. It was cold but the sun was shining, and not a cloud in the sky. We stopped half way for some caffeine and we both said how great it felt to be back in the saddle, just enjoying the fresh air and company. We also took some of Ben's mates out the other weekend – even Cenk agreed to go although he was puffing and panting just putting his helmet on! Fair play to him though, he did the 35km through gritted teeth. We had a serious hill climb and he did it.

The thing that touched me was Ben - without realising it, he’s such an inspiration. He comes across all bravado but he’s one of the nicest guys I've met – a real heart of gold. Honestly he literally pushed Cenk up a 750 metre hill climb; his hand on his back just pushing him up the hill. Ben wouldn't take no for an answer – Cenk was going up with him. That's the kind of guy he is and that's why I train with him, because I just love his character and attitude.

We've had a good week training. Ben's put some good sessions in the gym and did a real fast 50km on Tuesday. This weekend’s a biggy for us – we're back out on a 150km this Saturday to put some hard kilometers under our belts and then out again with friends on Sunday for some fun.

We’re back on the road, raring to go and like a coiled spring ready to go for it.

Oh and after that tender moment in the sauna we thought, sod it. We love being on the bike together and want to do something special together. You hear it here first; we're cycling from John O'Groats to Land’s End in late September. Who's up for that one with us!??

Yeah baby, yeah – Dave’s training blog

Brr brr, brr brr……….I picked up the phone! It was late last Saturday night, it was Ben – his tone soft but with authority: ’I’ve got my mojo back, it’s time! Tomorrow at 10.00’

* * * * *

The day came. I was hot, flushed and excited, yet had a tinge of embarrassment as the senorita, unstable on her knees, gazed up at me with my nuts in her hand. My BIKE nuts thank you, what were you thinking?
Ben was in fits of laughter, we’d only peddled for 1km and my pedal and crank completely came off the bike and was left dangling off the end of my shoe. I thanked the old lady for picking up my nuts and we ‘limped’ back to the garage for repairs. It took some time and Ben was getting agitated: ‘Come on Einstein’! He was bored and wanted to be back on the bike.

It’s been tough for Ben recently – not just the sheer heat and volume of work on top of the training schedule, but the realisation of the task ahead. I always knew this event was 50% about training the body, 50% training the mind. With an event with such a long lead in time you have to be mentally tough because it’s an emotional rollercoaster. Ben is strapped into a rollercoaster that keeps going round and round in a continuous loop. He’s done the first loop – reaching the top after the amazing buzz of completing the 312, in fact he went round about 15 exciting corkscrews with the press and adulation he received. But when that dies down and it all goes quiet, you’re on your own, peddling for hour after hour, sweat, discomfort and isolation. Think about it: it’s tough, it’s mentally very tough and this is one of the hardest parts of Ben’s ride. I don’t think anyone can begin to imagine, it is THE RIDE OF HIS LIFE.

Ben's re-found his Mojo!!

I was so happy to hear he felt his mojo had come back, good on yer fella! This month was a massive hurdle you jumped over without realising.

So, back to the cycling, the pressure’s been on to reach the volume of km’s to keep on track with the schedule and Ben’s put in some impressive rides recently. Last weekend he completed two strong 80km rides in consecutive days at a good pace – around the 20km an hour mark – our target for the actual event. I rode with Ben on Sunday for 23km, the first time since May. How things have changed as he was training me, giving me technical tips on big descents. He’s come a long way in a very short time, he’s learning everyday and loving the technology behind the training and sharing his new found knowledge. I know that’s a fantastic part of the experience for him.

We’re back in the gym this week working on lower body strength, a really gruelling session on Monday after those big weekend rides. The legs were sore but was he complaining? Not at all! He‘s a bit sadistic – if he feels no pain he doesn’t believe there’s any gain.

Here’s a bit of trivia for you – no pain, no gain is a well used gym motto and was used by Jane Fonda who was the first celebrity actress to promote fitness videos. For those that can remember she used to wear hot pants, figure hugging tops and a sweatband – very eighties! Has anyone noticed Ben’s current attire cycling around Mallorca…? Hmmm… at the least the sweatband’s not pink, well for now… yeah baby, yeah!

Ben’s post-race blog

Oh my God!!

Wow, wow, wow!!!

This is an amazing feeling....

I’m over the moon that I finished the ride. It nearly killed me, and there were a lot of ups and downs along the way.

I’ve never done a race before, I’ve never felt pain like it, I’ve never been so tired in my life. But I’ve never - and I mean never - felt so good in my life!!

The amount of support I’ve received is just amazing! Every comment means everything and helps so much. I could hear my phone binging every two minutes with another message. I couldn’t read them because I was riding but I could hear them coming in.

At 220kms I hit the ‘wall’ that endurance athletes talk about. I was thinking of reasons to quit, knowing that everyone would be proud of me for what I’d done anyway. Sitting at the side of the road, feeling exhausted and lonely in the middle of nowhere, I started to read some of the messages of support. Well... I couldn’t get back on my bike fast enough! I wasn’t alone out there, I had a load of support and people thinking of me.

Every message boosts you more than you can believe.

I didn’t want to let you – or myself - down. I wanted to prove to you and to me that I am man enough to take the pain, man enough to keep pushing, man enough to finish what I have started. The fear that I was all talk and no action scared me to death.

When I came through the finish line, if I’d had any water left in my body I would have cried!

IT WAS THE BEST FEELING IN THE WORLD!!!

Two days on, hearing all the congratulations, I can’t remember the pain. I just remember that I did the coolest thing I have ever done in my life. As my big sis Claire says: ‘Welcome to childbirth’!

I am now on nitrous oxide overdrive to get better and ready for the Gibraltar to Nordkapp ride next year. I’m going to train like no one has ever trained before! (Hope Dave doesn’t read that bit!)

I have the best team in the world, all based on the standards set by my family, Slimming World and Dave Bladon. We have the foundations and the building blocks to go all the way and take Europe by storm.

So we now need to get serious and remember why we’re putting massive effort into all of this, the reason why ‘The Ride of My Life’ started. The reason I’m going to train like I’ve never done before to pump out 200km a day for 6 weeks and ride the full length of Europe! We want to impress the socks off everyone, of course - but most of all so that we can raise some serious money for kids.

Everyone in the team is doing this for free. It’s costing me not just a fortune but also a year and half of my life. My wife is taking care of me and the baby - very one-sided and not fair for her but she’s doing it because she knows this is a once in a lifetime push, to raise as much money as we can.

If you donate £1 or £10, you know that every penny of your money is going to the kids, not to me, not to the bike or any support. We are paying for that so your money goes to the right place.


The team are still working like demons on this and the donations link isn’t live on the website yet - it will be soon. Keep coming back, keep reading what I’m up to, how the training is going, what Dave Bladon my trainer has written in his diary on my blog and I’ll keep posting words from my heart too!

So come one everyone, please support me in every way you can. Tell your friends, family, colleagues and anyone you know AND LET’S ABOLISH CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT FOR EVER!!!!

Thank you to everyone from the bottom of my heart.

I love you all.

Benj

Well the big day is tomorrow – I’m taking part in the Mallorca 312 1st International Cycletourist Tour of Mallorca - and I’m really nervous.

I have my number and everything is ready to go. I’m downloading some more music for my MP3 player tonight and cleaning and checking the bike. I am in a real state though, I have strained my sciatic nerve!! I can hardly walk and driving my car is painful. I’m very worried.

I will start tomorrow but I’m so scared of the pain I know I’m going to feel, I’m also scared if the pain is too much and I quit!

There’s no way I’m going to finish in14 hours so I have Cenk on standby for about 8pm to support me the rest of the way. I don’t want to let anyone down and this is so important to me, I don’t want to let myself down.

I will give it my all tomorrow and hold the pain as long as possible, I just hope I can bear it till the end.

I have spoken to Dave and I am keeping the goals small so I can mentally hold it.

Wish me luck,

Love

Benj...

...the boy from Woodhouse - I feel I have the whole of Mansfield behind me, feels really good, it helps a lot to see the messages!