The Biggest Challenge Of My Life.

I have never posted in this forum before so please allow me to introduce myself, My Name is Gary, 15 months ago I was almost 600 lbs, Today I am almost down to the 300 lbs, I still have a lot of work to do, My full story with loads of picture can be found on my blog: gazzasblogs.blogspot.com/

The following was posted on my blog 3 weeks ago:

I set out on a 38 mile ride from Manchester to Liverpool. The event was to serve as a warm up and also to raise funds and awareness for those suffering with fibromyalgia.

The route was something like below:

 

The day started at 5am where I woke up so nervous I could talk without a stutter, Once fueled and ready to again the nerve**** and I had to control my breathing, I was thinking “Can I do it'" “What do I tell people when I fail" etc. At 7am I rode from Tameside to Stockport, At the start line in Stockport I my my buddy and off we went.

We didn't quite realize what cycling to Stockport and starting from there would actually mean in terms of adding miles to the 38 mile target, We would find that out in a few hours though.

The first 2 hours were great, nice and easy even though it was over some of the roughest trails I have seen, The Trans Pennine Trail is billed as a flat smooth traffic free route, however from the Manchester section at Didsbury to Trafford at Stretford it was like a 4x4 assault course, The effort required just to keep the bike upright was immense and both me and my buddy had a couple of close calls on this section. It was overall pretty easy though and within 2 hours we had done 24 miles and took a rest stop in Lymm where we refueled with a snack and a drink.

The next section was pretty incident free and although the pace was not quite as fast we were enjoying and the sun was breaking though, Once in Warrington we needed to take a toilet stop, after we had done that I realized that we were having so much fun that I hadn't taken any pictures, out came the camera and my buddy snapped this shot at around 30 miles in.

I decided for comfort to wear something baggy and while from a comfort point of view it worked, Its not great for taking pictures.

 

We moved onto to just outside Widnes before stopping again and taking this picture.

We were on the final stretch at this point, However the wind was HORRENDUS around the waters edge at Widnes all the way till we left the trail at Speake.

By this point all the off road terrain from early on in the road was taking its toll on me, I was struggling, I wanted this so bad I was asking myself all the time just how much I really wanted it.

 

5 Hours after starting we arrived at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Now as I said at the start we had planned to do 38 miles however by this point we had done over 50 miles for the day, Although we planned to go to Lime Street we decided that as we had done an extra 12 Miles and the fact there was a coach headed back to Manchester that this would be our finish line, SO did I fini****hink it fair to say with those extra 12 miles not only did I finish but I did myself proud.

Ok so lessons learnt for other rides, Change the saddle, OUCH, Carry less rubbish in my Rucksack OUCH, I also learn yesterday that 65 Miles to Blackpool on real roads will be something that that I grab with both hands and ENJOY :D

Today My weight loss for the week after weighing myself on Tuesday is minus 5 LBS, Maybe I should head off to Liverpool More often as I actually feel totally fine with little after effects.

I will be editing and uploading a video later this weekend.

Thanks for all your support and messages, It kept me going, Blackpool next :D

 

http://www.justgiving.com/gb155

Gary,  Loved your photos and story.  Keep posting here - you are an inspiration.  Donna

Thank you so much Donna, I will do :D

Your story is truly inspirational, thank you for posting it. 

And thanks for the pics, I feel like I've taken a mini vacation.  Hey, I didn't know there was a John Lennon Airport.  Cool!

Mary

Thanks so much, John Lennon is from Liverpool so they decided to name the airport after him.

I hope to post so more ride pictures before my BIG ONE in July

Gaz

I enjoyed reading your story. 
I hope you'll post more.
As I said in your other posting you've inspired me to get on my own bike again....so tomorrow morning I'm getting up an hour early will go riding.  That should jump start me so I can lose this last 3 lbs.  

THANKS!!!

Glad you enjoyed it, It would be an honor to post more if people dont mind.

Enjoy your ride, I love riding my bike(s) It makes me feel so free

Go kill those 3lbs :D

Gaz

I wish I could ride to Manchester.

I was born in Southport England.....my fathers whole family is from Manchester.  Mom and Dad moved to the States when I was very young so I grew up in NY.

Maybe I'll make it a long-term goal to take a trip to England and do a long countryside ride....hmmm
Nice dream.  :-)
For now I'll ride around Florida in the early morning before it gets to too hot!

TTFN

You know what the Crazy thing is ? I wish I could ride round Cali while you wish you could ride round Manchester :D

As Im sure you can guess from some of my pictures im a HUGE San Diego Chargers fan, My ultimate goal being wathcing the Chargers live at the Qualcomm.

LOL - I'm a big sports fan but not of football (well not American football, I love soccer!), I love hockey and baseball and kind of enjoy basketball.
Funny thing is I lived in Nebraska for almost 5 years and that's a BIG FOOTBALL state and I just didn't get it.

Make it goal for yourself and I'm sure you'll get here!!!