CCCC2CCC(CrudCatcherCymruCoast2CoastCharityChallenge)

Newfish

Just a thought, have you tried to approach companies for sponsorship? Garmin for one, also bike manufactures for donations of inner tubes/ tyres, asking for money isn't the best way forward as most large companies sponsor charities anyhow, but kit donations might be a good idea.

Some ideas for my 2p worth; companies who make

Energy Bars/food.
Bike spares
Garmin (perhaps offer to test a new product)
Camelbak

Also a local paper, or several, for coverage and drumming up support.

I'm no way fit enough to do it, but huge respect to those who do, and good luck.

thekickingmule

A lot of talk of "You're gonna have a sore bum by the third day" is putting me off, however, it's also motivating me further I like the idea of getting sponsorship from companies like Garmin and innertube people, makes sense for this really.

Maybe if we can organise a couple of training rides sooner than later, then we'll know if we* can do it or not by the end of May. I can't confirm the time off work yet as my holiday card comes out in April.

*By "we" I mean "I" as I'm quite prone to falling off the bike at the start of a journey, rather than the end.

foxc_uk

Newfish wrote:

Just a thought, have you tried to approach companies for sponsorship? Garmin for one, also bike manufactures for donations of inner tubes/ tyres, asking for money isn't the best way forward as most large companies sponsor charities anyhow, but kit donations might be a good idea.

Some ideas for my 2p worth; companies who make

Energy Bars/food.
Bike spares
Garmin (perhaps offer to test a new product)
Camelbak

Also a local paper, or several, for coverage and drumming up support.

I'm no way fit enough to do it, but huge respect to those who do, and good luck.

It's a good idea, but you'll probably find that most companies receive hundreds of similar requests on a weekly basis, so you'll receive a standard 'sorry can't help' response. You might be better off finding a LBS or small chain of shops that might be willing to help with stuff for a bit of advertising (jerseys etc)...

Gazlar

Yeah having seen what Sarah (Kaisers Fiance) achieved in 2 months was inspirational so i will be exploring all avenues like that a little closer to the date. If anyone has contacts that may be useful its greatly appreciated .

Training ride wise i was thinking of something simple to begin with, maybe 40 miles of blue run laps that way if it gets too much people can stop, but get a feel for off road distance without killing themself. Some time February?

miss notax

Definitely ramp up some PR beforehand - i'm happy to do this if it would help? Could also contact Future Publishing nearer the time so that they are aware of what we are up to

Training days are a great idea but (selfishly) preferably not the 9th Feb as my landlords need to pop over and I have put them off so much they probably think I have turned their house into a canabis farm or something :?

Gazlar

Ok and im out the week after as its Mrs Gazlars birthday. Ill look at the calendar and pick a date later . Ill also try living venues about a bit too to help ppl. I think a lot of onus is going to be on individual training but if i try and work in 4 key group trainings and individually we can organise others ad hoc.

Richie63

foxc_uk wrote:

Newfish wrote:

Just a thought, have you tried to approach companies for sponsorship? Garmin for one, also bike manufactures for donations of inner tubes/ tyres, asking for money isn't the best way forward as most large companies sponsor charities anyhow, but kit donations might be a good idea.

Some ideas for my 2p worth; companies who make

Energy Bars/food.
Bike spares
Garmin (perhaps offer to test a new product)
Camelbak

Also a local paper, or several, for coverage and drumming up support.

I'm no way fit enough to do it, but huge respect to those who do, and good luck.

It's a good idea, but you'll probably find that most companies receive hundreds of similar requests on a weekly basis, so you'll receive a standard 'sorry can't help' response. You might be better off finding a LBS or small chain of shops that might be willing to help with stuff for a bit of advertising (jerseys etc)...

You are off to work for Trek ..... Ummmmm! I have a cunning plan

foxc_uk

Richie63 wrote:

foxc_uk wrote:

Newfish wrote:

Just a thought, have you tried to approach companies for sponsorship? Garmin for one, also bike manufactures for donations of inner tubes/ tyres, asking for money isn't the best way forward as most large companies sponsor charities anyhow, but kit donations might be a good idea.

Some ideas for my 2p worth; companies who make

Energy Bars/food.
Bike spares
Garmin (perhaps offer to test a new product)
Camelbak

Also a local paper, or several, for coverage and drumming up support.

I'm no way fit enough to do it, but huge respect to those who do, and good luck.

It's a good idea, but you'll probably find that most companies receive hundreds of similar requests on a weekly basis, so you'll receive a standard 'sorry can't help' response. You might be better off finding a LBS or small chain of shops that might be willing to help with stuff for a bit of advertising (jerseys etc)...

You are off to work for Trek ..... Ummmmm! I have a cunning plan

One of my key tasks will be.... replying to sponsorship requests with 'sorry can't help' responses... :?

Gazlar

Richie63 wrote:

foxc_uk wrote:

Newfish wrote:

Just a thought, have you tried to approach companies for sponsorship? Garmin for one, also bike manufactures for donations of inner tubes/ tyres, asking for money isn't the best way forward as most large companies sponsor charities anyhow, but kit donations might be a good idea.

Some ideas for my 2p worth; companies who make

Energy Bars/food.
Bike spares
Garmin (perhaps offer to test a new product)
Camelbak

Also a local paper, or several, for coverage and drumming up support.

I'm no way fit enough to do it, but huge respect to those who do, and good luck.

It's a good idea, but you'll probably find that most companies receive hundreds of similar requests on a weekly basis, so you'll receive a standard 'sorry can't help' response. You might be better off finding a LBS or small chain of shops that might be willing to help with stuff for a bit of advertising (jerseys etc)...

You are off to work for Trek ..... Ummmmm! I have a cunning plan

I think that's what foxc was alluding to.....I think she's got a cunning stunt

lawman

I'm currently sponsored by my LBS and continental tyres so I could always have words with them and see what we can get

thekickingmule

Gazlar wrote:

Training ride wise i was thinking of something simple to begin with, maybe 40 miles of blue run laps that way if it gets too much people can stop, but get a feel for off road distance without killing themself. Some time February?

Blue runs is a good idea actually, as is the Dolby Red Route. Not the most thrilling ride in the world, however it's about 30 odd miles of up and down. More up than down it feels at times. It was good training for the IOM E2E

cat_with_no_tail

Can't have been that good, you nearly died

Gazlar

thekickingmule wrote:

Gazlar wrote:

Training ride wise i was thinking of something simple to begin with, maybe 40 miles of blue run laps that way if it gets too much people can stop, but get a feel for off road distance without killing themself. Some time February?

Blue runs is a good idea actually, as is the Dolby Red Route. Not the most thrilling ride in the world, however it's about 30 odd miles of up and down. More up than down it feels at times. It was good training for the IOM E2E

Yeah i think get the distance in your legs and then gradually add in more and more terrain and climb. Was thinking FOD for the first run as its got a bit of tech in there, gentle climbs and 7 miles laps so a regular drop out/stop if it gets too much/ too dark etc. I know its a trek for some but like said ill move the training around so that there's something close for all

lawman

Cannocks always a good place too, few laps of follow the dog and some unmarked stuff too. Could always try the long mynd too.

Gazlar

lawman wrote:

Cannocks always a good place too, few laps of follow the dog and some unmarked stuff too. Could always try the long mynd too.

Not with you bloody navigating though

miss notax

Cannock?!!! That's, like, up north :shock:

lawman

Gazlar wrote:

lawman wrote:

Cannocks always a good place too, few laps of follow the dog and some unmarked stuff too. Could always try the long mynd too.

Not with you bloody navigating though

My navigation was fine, if I remember rightly you insisted going that way thinking it would lead the same place... Which it clearly didn't :P the route I found was, well, more interesting anyway

thekickingmule

Cat With No Tail wrote:

Can't have been that good, you nearly died

As true as this is, it was because of the clipless pedals I put on my old bike, 3 days before the event. To this day I don't know why I thought that was a good idea, it caused me problems for years afterwards.

I've learnt my lesson now though, and got a fantastic bouncy bike that will be perfect for this event

Gazlar

lawman wrote:

Gazlar wrote:

lawman wrote:

Cannocks always a good place too, few laps of follow the dog and some unmarked stuff too. Could always try the long mynd too.

Not with you bloody navigating though

My navigation was fine, if I remember rightly you insisted going that way thinking it would lead the same place... Which it clearly didn't :P the route I found was, well, more interesting anyway

Trying to style out a cliff as being a 100 foot drop off is interesting i spose, but how you found a cliff on the mynd is beyond me!

Miss notax....yep lol but also quite central and got some good climbing

tudj

Gazlar wrote:

thekickingmule wrote:

Gazlar wrote:

Was thinking FOD for the first run as its got a bit of tech in there, gentle climbs and 7 miles laps so a regular drop out/stop if it gets too much/ too dark etc. I know its a trek for some but like said ill move the training around so that there's something close for all

Over £70 on the train :shock: , unless I can jump in with someone heading from my direction I'd have to give that one a miss :P

Gazlar

Look at advance fares too if there's any. That's the thing the group rides will be suitable for some and not others because of date and location just thinking if everyone can get to one

thekickingmule

tudj wrote:

Gazlar wrote:

thekickingmule wrote:

Gazlar wrote:

Was thinking FOD for the first run as its got a bit of tech in there, gentle climbs and 7 miles laps so a regular drop out/stop if it gets too much/ too dark etc. I know its a trek for some but like said ill move the training around so that there's something close for all

Over £70 on the train :shock: , unless I can jump in with someone heading from my direction I'd have to give that one a miss :P

£70 to FOD? Where abouts in S. Manchester are you? I can always pick you up en route from Bury (North Manchester - the nicer part)

tudj

That's the best I found on thetrainline (i'm guessing that's what you mean by advance).

I'll hold out for a nearer one, if I can't make any it's not a massive issue for me, I can do plenty of longish rides with my club and just add some miles of my own to the shorter ones.

£70 to FOD? Where abouts in S. Manchester are you? I can always pick you up en route from Bury (North Manchester - the nicer part)

Stockport, that would be great. Would obviously contribute to petrol/beer.

Gazlar

lawman wrote:

I'm currently sponsored by my LBS and continental tyres so I could always have words with them and see what we can get

Which lbs? Aber? Just slinging ideas here but i think its day 3 that ends near aber.....what could be useful is if they could spare a mechanic or 2 in the eve to once over the bikes and moreso check wheels are good. I know were mostly technically adept but a pro once over might be good following 3 days constant battering

miss notax

Gazlar wrote:

I know were mostly technically adept

I'm definitely not :oops:

I changed my first set of brake pads last weekend and that's as good as it gets for me i'm afraid :shock:

Gazlar

miss notax wrote:

Gazlar wrote:

I know were mostly technically adept

I'm definitely not :oops:

I changed my first set of brake pads last weekend and that's as good as it gets for me i'm afraid :shock:

Yes but you are a woman.....a woman with eyelashes that flutter and a pretty smile. That gets bike repairs done far more effectively than a park guide and a set of Allen keys

thekickingmule

Gazlar wrote:

miss notax wrote:

Gazlar wrote:

I know were mostly technically adept

I'm definitely not :oops:

I changed my first set of brake pads last weekend and that's as good as it gets for me i'm afraid :shock:

Yes but you are a woman.....a woman with eyelashes that flutter and a pretty smile. That gets bike repairs done far more effectively than a park guide and a set of Allen keys

I respond well to fluttering eyelashes as well, so you'll be fine.

Unless you're massively ugly, but I've seen your profile picture and know you're not, so you'll be fine (These sentences were aimed at miss notax, but Gazlar, if you play your cards right.... )

Gazlar

thekickingmule wrote:

Gazlar wrote:

miss notax wrote:

Gazlar wrote:

I know were mostly technically adept

I'm definitely not :oops:

I changed my first set of brake pads last weekend and that's as good as it gets for me i'm afraid :shock:

Yes but you are a woman.....a woman with eyelashes that flutter and a pretty smile. That gets bike repairs done far more effectively than a park guide and a set of Allen keys

I respond well to fluttering eyelashes as well, so you'll be fine.

Unless you're massively ugly, but I've seen your profile picture and know you're not, so you'll be fine (These sentences were aimed at miss notax, but Gazlar, if you play your cards right.... )

Theres no playing cards here, King Gazlar will be giving you a Royal flush

Clank

lawman wrote:

I'm currently sponsored by my LBS and continental tyres so I could always have words with them and see what we can get

A pair of 29er Mountain Kings would be champion!

thekickingmule wrote:

A lot of talk of "You're gonna have a sore bum by the third day" is putting me off, however, it's also motivating me further .

'Xactly right. As the popular meme says:

Clank

lawman wrote:

Cannocks always a good place too, few laps of follow the dog and some unmarked stuff too. Could always try the long mynd too.

If some folk have to travel that far, may as well go a few extra miles and hit the Peaks - got some altitude training in!

Not that I've got owt against Cannock! (there Tuesday, as it happens) 8)