The 2017 Half Century (50 KM or 50 Mile) A Month Challenge - Chatzone

[SpokeyDokey]

A small request please.

Last year I joined in the 50k challenge and managed 10 by June but then in early July my world fell apart.

Very long story short: I went to see my GP with what I thought was a simple symptom. She was on holiday and I saw her stand-in. In the space of 7 minutes he diagnosed me with an absolutely hideous disease (terminal) and with a very limited lifespan. After much to-ing and fro-ing between 4 hospitals and a number of specialist tests I was fortunately 'cleared'. The stand-in GP had over-reacted to a 'Red Flag' as I have since been informed. Nonetheless, the damage was done and I became depressed and suicidal and at one stage was a very short time away from not been here at all. With huge support from my lovely wife, my brilliant best friend, a Consultant Psychiatrist and her wider support team, 2 world class Neurologists and a superb CBT councillor I am still here today and feeling great.

Sadly, I lost interest in a lot of things for the best part of the intervening year whilst my life was pieced back together.

This resulted in me being off my bike for eleven months apart from a couple of pathetically short attempts very early this year.

I have been 'back on' for just over 3 weeks and have completed a scant 6 rides although one of which was 33 miles and the other 40 miles - pretty good for me esp' as I have been 'off' for so long.

So.... would it be ok to join in the challenge for the balance of the year just for motivational purposes (I know I won't get a star)?

I can then 'go for it' next year!

 

[tallliman]

Sorry to hear about your troubles. It sounds horrid. Yes, join in!! The challenge is about motivating people!

 

[ColinJ]

What a totally reckless and stupid thing for the stand-in doctor to do! You would think that even if there were a lot of evidence to suggest something that serious, that they would be extremely cautious and avoid worrying the patient until the proof was there!

I'm glad that the eventual news was good and that you are back on the bike.

It would be pretty terrible for a challenge group on a friendly forum to tell any rider to 'clear off until next January' ...

So, welcome back to the challenge and get those ride reports in!

 

[NorthernDave]

A small request please.

Last year I joined in the 50k challenge and managed 10 by June but then in early July my world fell apart.

Very long story short: I went to see my GP with what I thought was a simple symptom. She was on holiday and I saw her stand-in. In the space of 7 minutes he diagnosed me with an absolutely hideous disease (terminal) and with a very limited lifespan. After much to-ing and fro-ing between 4 hospitals and a number of specialist tests I was fortunately 'cleared'. The stand-in GP had over-reacted to a 'Red Flag' as I have since been informed. Nonetheless, the damage was done and I became depressed and suicidal and at one stage was a very short time away from not been here at all. With huge support from my lovely wife, my brilliant best friend, a Consultant Psychiatrist and her wider support team, 2 world class Neurologists and a superb CBT councillor I am still here today and feeling great.

Sadly, I lost interest in a lot of things for the best part of the intervening year whilst my life was pieced back together.

This resulted in me being off my bike for eleven months apart from a couple of pathetically short attempts very early this year.

I have been 'back on' for just over 3 weeks and have completed a scant 6 rides although one of which was 33 miles and the other 40 miles - pretty good for me esp' as I have been 'off' for so long.

So.... would it be ok to join in the challenge for the balance of the year just for motivational purposes (I know I won't get a star)?

I can then 'go for it' next year!

After all you've been through there's no question at all - welcome back!

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Thanks for your nice-ness and I'm glad to be back on this thread and the associated thread.

My 40 miles yesterday was a big ride for me as my number of rides this year is so low - I managed to get round the pretty flat (by Lake District standards) 1200' ascent course in a couple of minutes under 3 hours @ 13.4 mph. This is probably about 1.4 mph down on what I would have expected this time last year. Looking forward to closing the gap - it never sounds a lot when you are down a mile or two an hour but over a long-ish ride you'd finish a heck of a long way behind your 'virtual' self riding at the higher speed. On this occasion around 4 miles behind! Still, these things are what makes challenges interesting!

New bike coming next week which will spur me on too!

 

[13 rider]

A small request please.

Last year I joined in the 50k challenge and managed 10 by June but then in early July my world fell apart.

Very long story short: I went to see my GP with what I thought was a simple symptom. She was on holiday and I saw her stand-in. In the space of 7 minutes he diagnosed me with an absolutely hideous disease (terminal) and with a very limited lifespan. After much to-ing and fro-ing between 4 hospitals and a number of specialist tests I was fortunately 'cleared'. The stand-in GP had over-reacted to a 'Red Flag' as I have since been informed. Nonetheless, the damage was done and I became depressed and suicidal and at one stage was a very short time away from not been here at all. With huge support from my lovely wife, my brilliant best friend, a Consultant Psychiatrist and her wider support team, 2 world class Neurologists and a superb CBT councillor I am still here today and feeling great.

Sadly, I lost interest in a lot of things for the best part of the intervening year whilst my life was pieced back together.

This resulted in me being off my bike for eleven months apart from a couple of pathetically short attempts very early this year.

I have been 'back on' for just over 3 weeks and have completed a scant 6 rides although one of which was 33 miles and the other 40 miles - pretty good for me esp' as I have been 'off' for so long.

So.... would it be ok to join in the challenge for the balance of the year just for motivational purposes (I know I won't get a star)?

I can then 'go for it' next year!

Big welcome back @SpokeyDokey . Your more than welcome to enter rides . So glad your back on your bike and contributing to the thread you have been missed

 

[Katherine]

Welcome back @SpokeyDokey and well done to you on your recovery and return to cycling.

 

[13 rider]

Hi everyone this month's update so far we have 30 riders fully posted leaving 6 to get a ride in . I'm away from Saturday for 2 weeks so there will be no last minute warning as internet access will be very limited . @Rustybucket , @Bazzer , @Eribiste , @Ice2911 , @StuartG , @Salty seadog you appear not yet to posted a ride time to
If anyone's in Cornwall and sees someone on an overgeared road bike struggling up a 20% hill in a Cyclechat jersey that will be me

 

[Salty seadog]

Hi everyone this month's update so far we have 30 riders fully posted leaving 6 to get a ride in . I'm away from Saturday for 2 weeks so there will be no last minute warning as internet access will be very limited . @Rustybucket , @Bazzer , @Eribiste , @Ice2911 , @StuartG , @Salty seadog you appear not yet to posted a ride time to
If anyone's in Cornwall and sees someone on an overgeared road bike struggling up a 20% hill in a Cyclechat jersey that will be me

I'm at sea at the moment but will be out on Wednesday 19th. Have no fear I will post a ride.

 

[Rustybucket]

Hi everyone this month's update so far we have 30 riders fully posted leaving 6 to get a ride in . I'm away from Saturday for 2 weeks so there will be no last minute warning as internet access will be very limited . @Rustybucket , @Bazzer , @Eribiste , @Ice2911 , @StuartG , @Salty seadog you appear not yet to posted a ride time to
If anyone's in Cornwall and sees someone on an overgeared road bike struggling up a 20% hill in a Cyclechat jersey that will be me

I've done 2 already, haven't had chance to post up yet from my Strava.

Enjoy your holiday, it's a good job Cornwall is flat

 

[StuartG]

Hi everyone this month's update so far we have 30 riders fully posted leaving 6 to get a ride in . I'm away from Saturday for 2 weeks so there will be no last minute warning as internet access will be very limited . @Rustybucket , @Bazzer , @Eribiste , @Ice2911 , @StuartG ,

Yep - no postings because I was too busy on tour (The FNRttC 'Easyrider' from Dunkirk to Hook of Holland). I've now posted the 50km/miles days. Mileage more impressive than effort when I did the lot on the biggie with canal bridges presenting the most ferocious ascents and descents on the whole trip

 

[13 rider]

Up to 32 riders over the line

 

[Ice2911]

Hi everyone this month's update so far we have 30 riders fully posted leaving 6 to get a ride in . I'm away from Saturday for 2 weeks so there will be no last minute warning as internet access will be very limited . @Rustybucket , @Bazzer , @Eribiste , @Ice2911 , @StuartG , @Salty seadog you appear not yet to posted a ride time to
If anyone's in Cornwall and sees someone on an overgeared road bike struggling up a 20% hill in a Cyclechat jersey that will be me

Hi
Just finished LEJOG so have lots of rides to post. Hopefully do this tomorrow. Thanks for the warning

 

[Katherine]

Well done to everyone!

 

[Bazzer]

A small request please.

Last year I joined in the 50k challenge and managed 10 by June but then in early July my world fell apart.

Very long story short: I went to see my GP with what I thought was a simple symptom. She was on holiday and I saw her stand-in. In the space of 7 minutes he diagnosed me with an absolutely hideous disease (terminal) and with a very limited lifespan. After much to-ing and fro-ing between 4 hospitals and a number of specialist tests I was fortunately 'cleared'. The stand-in GP had over-reacted to a 'Red Flag' as I have since been informed. Nonetheless, the damage was done and I became depressed and suicidal and at one stage was a very short time away from not been here at all. With huge support from my lovely wife, my brilliant best friend, a Consultant Psychiatrist and her wider support team, 2 world class Neurologists and a superb CBT councillor I am still here today and feeling great.

Sadly, I lost interest in a lot of things for the best part of the intervening year whilst my life was pieced back together.

This resulted in me being off my bike for eleven months apart from a couple of pathetically short attempts very early this year.

I have been 'back on' for just over 3 weeks and have completed a scant 6 rides although one of which was 33 miles and the other 40 miles - pretty good for me esp' as I have been 'off' for so long.

So.... would it be ok to join in the challenge for the balance of the year just for motivational purposes (I know I won't get a star)?

I can then 'go for it' next year!

Welcome back

Hi everyone this month's update so far we have 30 riders fully posted leaving 6 to get a ride in . I'm away from Saturday for 2 weeks so there will be no last minute warning as internet access will be very limited . @Rustybucket , @Bazzer , @Eribiste , @Ice2911 , @StuartG , @Salty seadog you appear not yet to posted a ride time to
If anyone's in Cornwall and sees someone on an overgeared road bike struggling up a 20% hill in a Cyclechat jersey that will be me

Been away myself for a few days in theand although there was a local bike hire, Mrs B didn't pick up, or (more likely) chose to ignore my hints.
I have however got some in in the UK, but not posted yet.