Back to Reality

Almost a week now since returning from Yorkshire and nearly two weeks after finishing the ride. It really is now the job of getting back into a normal life. Having spent 23 days living on the road, returning to a mundane 9 to 5 office job is proving a challenge in itself. Having put heart and soul into this ride for so long, and with it being for something so important such as Cancer charities, suddenly huge problems at work don't seem so huge afterall. I sometimes wonder what is reality? The reality is what is out there, on the streets. People.. Not whats going off behind a computer screen. Perhaps I should title this blog post, Back From Reality!

Anyway enough of the philosophical stuff. The great news is, that its looking like I've raised about £2500 overall for cancer charities. £1000 in Gibraltar, and £1500 in Yorkshire. I want to say a big thank you to all those who donated. Even £1 buys a cup of tea for a cancer patient, and we all know how nice a cup of tea can be! Every little bit really can make a difference.

I would like to stay an extended thanks to a number of people who donated significant amounts of money that have really contributed to this final figure. They are (in no particular order):

Geoff Harding
Susan and Patrick Fitzgerald
Alec and Michelle Turner
Mark Fitzgerald
Mary Evans
Mr and Mrs P Fourdrinier

I cannot thank you guys enough for your generosity, it means everything to me that you were inspired so much by what I was doing, and that your money will help cancer patients in Yorkshire and Gibraltar. It is such a great feeling for me, to know that by going through what I did with this bike ride, that other people will benefit from that.

Thank you again to everyone who has donated.

I also want to thank a number of people who really did help make Gibraltar to Yorkshire the amazing success that it was.

Jonathan Fitzgerald - For Publicty and PR in Yorkshire
Vanessa Palmero Haywood - For Publicry and PR in Gibraltar
Mike Tomlinson - For support and being there on arrival.
Jane Tomlinson - We never met, but you inspired me to do this.
Carl Punton - Advice and Bike Servicing
Sue Fitzgerald, Katherine Bell, Mark Fitzgerald - For after party preperations.
Mr and Mrs - For making me an amazing celebration cake.
Geoff Harding - For sponsorship.
BetFred Poker - For sponsorship
Emma Withers and Franz - For advice in France and meeting me in Rochefort
cyclechat.net Forums - For Advice, inspiration
Mark Beaumont - For Inspiration.
Andrea Norris - For supplying Kendal Mint Cake!

I also want to thank everyone else who actively showed me huge support throughout the ride. Thank you to everyone for reading the blogs, and watching my tracker. Knowing you were with me on this long journey really helped.

The £2500 raised is not a final figure, there is still time to sponsor me.

Watch this space for further upcoming events. I've got the bug now. Im interested in doing something else. If you are a cyclist, or part of a group and are arranging a cycle tour for charity, please contact me. I would be very interested in hearing about it and getting involved.

If you have enjoyed following my progress and feeling inspired to go out there and do something. All I can say is.. DO IT! Seriously, I sit here now and cannot believe I achieved what I did myself. But with determination and a solid belief, you can do anything. There is no such thing as cannot. Its all about want. The reward of achieveing something against what you feel you could normally is phenominal. Go against the grain of life, focus on doing good, focus on being brilliant!

Thank you again to everyone reading this blog. For Gibraltar to Yorkshire has come to an end, but there is a lot more world out there just waiting to be cycled on!