My Activity Tracking
182
mi
I'm cycling 300 miles for Dementia UK
I am a bike, a very special bike belonging to a very special person. John was born in 1939 a long time before me but we have had some good times together which I am now going out to revisit. Dementia UK are holding a cycling event for June challenging people to cycle 300 miles in the month. John has always been one to take up a challenge including many marathons and fun runs to lets see if we can add to that list and remember some special places on our way.
John's Bike.
My Achievements
Shared Page
Updated Profile Pic
Added a Blog Post
You've Self Donated!
Received 5 Donations
Reached Fundraising Goal
Distance Reached
Increased Target
My Updates
The Finishing Post.
Wednesday 16th Jul The final photo of the journey of John's Bike is outside the Harlow Branch of Nationwide following John's Bike Buddy's appointment with the lovely Lesley, our local Admiral Nurse.
The appointment was wonderful providing information, comfort, reassurance and very sensible and pragmatic advice.
John and his daughter joined the appointment and it was wonderful to see how welcome they were in the branch.
I left with an excellent handbook including a checklist of things to look at.
It has been a great experience with some good memories and with this type of support available to help Ron at Rainbow Harlow can only become a more Dementia Friendly place.
On his way to meet me John had had his bus fare paid for him by a stranger as he had forgotten his bus pass and money. To that young lady and all the others that look out for him and others a very big thank you indeed especially to Dementia UK and their partnership with nationwide.
Meeting an Admiral Nurse at Nationwide!
Monday 14th Jul This Wednesday as the conclusion of this challenge I have booked an appointment to see a Dementia UK Admiral Nurse at my local branch of Nationwide to learn a bit more about what Vascular Dementia is and how it will be affecting my sister.It will give me a chance to better understand the impacts on her life and of those who care for her.
On the same day the support network for carers will gather at the Civic Centre to help people be aware of what help is available for them. John's Bike will be there too.
Share
The Final Curtain
Monday 30th Jun The ceremonial journey along the Champs d'Elysee is upon us after 30 days of pedal power going in and around the town of Harlow matched in France with both Velizy and in the minds of the Culture Club (SP) with Paris itself.Between the three of us we have explored places and times both present and past and have hopes too for future escapades.
We have shared adventures along the River Stort, visited Harlow Cricket Club and Football Club and even moved into a new part of Harlow called Old Harlow where new memories will form.
Harlow Playhouse, The Gibberd Gallery, Harlow Central Library and now Old Harlow Library have been focal points or hubs if you will where people are met, volunteers take care of us and where we are not invisible.
Brian, Millie and Toni have been part of this journey as have Liam, Anna and Margaret my sister who was diagnosed with vascular dementia during this tour de Harlow.
She will now have carers visit her twice a day so she can stay at home far away in Hereford while John can enjoy his new home with the love and care of his family around him.
This month is coming to an end but their care will continue every day while it is needed.
I would like to thank George at Richard's Cycles for being my support team over the month, John for the use of his bike and all those carers and volunteers out there who look out for and care for the vulnerable amongst us.
I may not have made the final stages but the journey has been one to savour with rich experiences, meaningful conversations and an awareness of my own increasing fragility.
John is an absolute marvel and one of the kindest people I know who worked in care himself for many years where his talents were put to the best possible use.
Knowing that there are organisations like Rainbow Services and people like Ron and Paul and Jenny and the security team at the Playhouse and volunteers like Brian around must be an additional comfort to those who carry the biggest share of the care - the family, heroes one and all.
There is one last place to visit before we bring down the final curtain.
The Outskirts of Harlow.
Sunday 29th Jun Situated on the edge of Harlow is the home of Sir Frederick Gibberd the man who planned and designed it.It is glorious yet under visited albeit on a good cycle route.
My visit was planned to coincide with the performance "Unfolding" by Razed Roof but rather embarrassingly I had got my dates wrong and missed it by a whole day!
I was wearing my Dementia UK t-shirt and Brian a lovely volunteer noted the irony!
It turns out that as well as spending time in the Royal Box at Wembley Brian is a Dementia Friend who has received training in helping visitors who may need some extra attention.
How Dementia Friendly is Harlow becoming?
This in itself is a comfort to families and it is great to know that volunteers like Brian are out there ready to help if needed.
Meanwhile I cycled off to add some tarmac miles to my tow path miles like a mad dog in the midday sun!!
The End is Nigh!
Saturday 28th Jun Only two days of the Dementia UK 300 mile cycle challenge to go and my Bike Buddy is reconciling himself with falling short.However he has had a great time and tonight celebrated the England Under 21's team winning the European Championships in The White Hart in Roydon his new favourite place on the River Stort.
Musical memories from Phil Collins filled the air tonight and 1966 and World Cup Willy raised their heads.
This dementia adventure is drawing to close and has had so many good memories of it's own that John's Bike has been able to share with John's Bike and despite the sunglasses, the two pints of beer and the fading of the light we made it home along the towpath without getting our feet or tyres wet!
Homeward Bound as Gilbert and Sullivan sang along with Bridge over Troubled Water.
Ah memories are made of this Mr Mortimer!
John's Bike to star in Play!
Monday 23rd Jun John and his Bike Buddy have enjoyed a number of shows at Harlow Playhouse and in recognition of its efforts to ferry John and his Bike Buddy around it has been invited to take part in a play at the theatre.Will it need make up? Some panniers perhaps? How much can you carry on a bike?
The day after this challenge as a reward for all the hard pedalling as well as the free wheeling it will gently lean against the set for a well earned rest if it's engine puts the time and effort in over the next eight days.
It is hard to cycle anywhere now apart from along the glorious River Stort with the sun glinting on the water and the signets following their parents. I am sure the bike is chasing butterflies as the mind goes chasing memories.
Share
Another paradise on the doorstep.
Sunday 22nd Jun As John recovers from his walkabout yesterday we agreed to save the visit to Harlow Cricket Club for another day. Instead I wheeled off further afield to the beauty and fun of one of England's important gardens. The Gibberd Garden lies on the outskirts of the town which the master planner designed. In his cabinet of the many toys made for his family were two very special mini mes. Yes, tiny bicycles. My mileage and my Bike Buddy's stamina and pacing improve realizing that rest stops are important too as we head into the final third of our challenge. Share
Little Legs!
Thursday 19th Jun Who is that chap running so fast with the little legs? So the Legend was born and those little legs have carried John to many places. Perhaps my Bike Buddy should have got the saddle adjusted earlier!!!Flying now along river tow paths and off road paths the miles are beginning to clock up and delightful rides start to reveal themselves.
We will take some stopping now.
The Second Half
Monday 16th Jun The First Half in Time has been spent building up the fitness levels of my Bike Buddy and getting us both into better shape for the journey before us. It has also involved reflecting on our past adventures in pastures known. Now we move to exploration and adventure going further afield to look to the future.John's sporting prowess can be front and centre in his new life in Old Harlow, cricket, bowls, walking and table tennis sessions await as well as the loveliest cycle racks in the known world.
What does the future hold? Perhaps as far as the Lee Valley Olympic Site, the London Eye and the start of Avenue Verte, Sustrans Route One and on dreams of Paris and the upcoming Tour de France. For now the Tour De Harlow continues with new places to visit and new faces to get to know.
The Future Awaits - Ride On.
Share
A rounding error!
Sunday 15th Jun Dear John,Please remind your Bike buddy that my wheels are of the 26" variety not 16" as he is using!!!
He has under measured his distance covered by almost half!!!!!!
I know technology can be a blessing or a curse but the youngsters of today!!!!
John's Bike Buddy is 63!!!!!!!!
John's Bike
P.S.
I hope you are settling in ok in your new home.
Share
My Happy Place.
Sunday 15th Jun Harlow Cricket Club is very old and extraordinarily beautiful and it is five minutes from John's new home. Bike's can end up going on unintended journeys and this happened today as I attempted to navigate Sustrans Route One through Harlow Old Town. Instead I found paradise for a cricket lover, a 250 year old club on his doorstep with a bowling club and Marigolds alongside. Happy Days Indeed. Share
A Memorable Day.
Sunday 15th Jun Dear John,It was so lovely to see you in your new home. Your daughter's have done an amazing job. It was great to meet Superman Steve on the way too. I think and hope you will be very happy in your new home and the library staff are already looking forward to welcoming you. I managed to get to Bishops Stortford along the River Stort and discovered the Stortford Navigation. Many more adventures for us to come.
All the best
Your Bike
Share
Moving Home.
Friday 13th Jun An emotional day today as John's Bike visited John on the day he moves away from the Stow his home for many years. Memories were shared with his lovely daughters and a new adventure awaits him in Old Harlow which means more adventures too for his bike.
Along the River Bank.
Friday 13th Jun Today's gallery image shows me by the River Stort outside Parndon Mill from where I will cycle along to Bishops Stortford tomorrow for my next longer ride. Yesterday included an enormous wheel in the middle of Parkers Piece and would you believe a woollen bike in Cambridge Youth Hostel! Share
A Cycling City
Thursday 12th Jun As a Bike I am in a happy place. Lots and lots of friends here and resting/parking spaces and it is so quiet!All types of bikes and decent infrastructure although still shared with those four wheeled cousins.
Harlow has better infrastructure already by miles and miles.
Memories of previous visits come flooding back. Punting mishaps and Tango classes. Courses for work and Cricket memories which John and I share although from slightly different eras. His John Murray is my Alan Knott.
Share
The UK Cycling Capital (Unofficial)
Thursday 12th Jun I am really excited about today's journey. From one cycling Utopia to another. What a great day to be John's Bike.A five minute commute to Harlow Station (thank you contractors) and a train journey to look forward to. Cambridge here we come.
Share
The Water Gardens
Wednesday 11th Jun Here I am in the Water Gardens the Award winning best place in Harlow nurtured by my friend Russ and his colleagues. It is here that I first met John's daughter and son in law in a happy coincidence. The football fields in the distance reminded John of football greats such as Johnny Haynes of Fulham and England fame. Share
Harlow Town Park
Tuesday 10th Jun Make your way to the walled garden in the centre of the Heritage listed Harlow Town Park and you will find the home of a Rainbow Services Dementia group as well as Men in Sheds. In front of the bandstand the informationBoard displays posters from all the free gigs held in the park including The Bay City Rollers and Mungo Jerry amongst many other future stars. John loves his music and a certain Mr Mortimer knows that Memories are made of this.
John's Bike.
Rodin's Eve and John's Bike
Tuesday 10th Jun John and I recently took part in The Big Team Challenge managing a combined mileage with the rest of The Culture Club (SP) to reach the Capital of France. John walked to Harlow Central Library each day while I tottered up and down Harlow's cycle paths to reach our destination and of course the home of Auguste Rodin who created Eve. Share
Paris to Parndon Mill
Sunday 8th Jun John's Bike has been to some marvelous places so far and today got even better. A trip along the River Stort to the marvellous artists collective that is Parndon Mill. Roots to Wellbeing and Matipo Arts have been running crafting sessions for carers for three years and today Rowen from Plant Pots and Wellies was the guest artist exploring the miniature worlds inside a sardines can!Cyclists enjoyed the path beside the River and Carers/Artists explored their creativity with Tara, Georgia, Rowen and Eric providing the opportunity for respite.
It turns out that this is Carers week and John spent many years as a carer in a career so well suited to his generous nature. Today's gallery picture taken by Georgia shows John's bike resting against a fence at Parndon Mill alongside Tara's car with the route to Paris in the foreground featuring Avenue Verte, The Green Road.
Share
The Hole in the Hedge
Saturday 7th Jun John was the first ever marshal at Harlow Park Run and this is his spot at The Hole in the Hedge in Harlow Town Park where he stood cheering people on in rain or shine for over five years every Saturday morning at 9.00 am. A big thank you to all the volunteers who keep this event going on Volunteers Week. Share
Somewhere over the Rainbow.
Friday 6th Jun When you first have to deal with the signs of aging it all seems a bit much so you put the old bike in the garden shed and forget about it!However there are people out there to help you and your rider to keep going for a few more miles.
Rainbow Services host a huge number of events in Harlow for those of us getting on a bit including twenty groups a week, that's right, a week!
So I paid them a visit at their office in Wych Elm near the hospital and the ambulance station and next to Streets2Homes.
Today's picture in the gallery shows the front of the building.
Services are held across the town in community centres as well as a special group in Harlow Town Park with Ron on a Monday.
As for help with an old bike try Richard's Cycles or Lee Valley Cycles for expert local help.
I got going again for as little at £8.00 and many bikes in sheds just need a bit of air in the tyres and that means some cardio vascular training for heart and lungs and then you are off to where ever you want to go. Maybe Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
Share
John's Bike and Rodin's Eve
Thursday 5th Jun Loneliness can be a big part of aging so today we found some company in the form of Rodin's Eve in the Award winning Water Gardens maintained by my friend Russ and the team (Russ is in remarkable shape and evidence of the health benefits having a garden to tend can do for you). Cycling is the same with a bit of added adventure! Share
Drawing on Memories
Wednesday 4th Jun John and I recently visited the Gibberd Gallery for it's latest exhibition about VE Day and the artists of the Second World War which included Henry Moore.It is another fantastic exhibition, a collaboration with Harlow Museum with amazing memorabilia and personal accounts from people who subsequently came to Harlow.
Local schools have been involved and their impressions are also included in "Everyone Did Their Bit."
These types of memories are often kept from families until an occasion arises to bring them out.
The exhibition ends on Saturday June 7th and the postcard portraits of the war artists done by local Harlow artists are an amazing result of an hours work!!!
The gallery photo today of John's Bike shows the Civic Centre which hosts the Gibberd Gallery in the background.
Home Alone by John's Bike.
Tuesday 3rd Jun I didn't get out today. I stayed indoors all day.I missed the rush of wind on my frame and the feel of tarmac on my wheels.
So I tried to think of some cycling songs to cheer me up.
I didn't get much further than Queen when I remembered that line "I like to ride my bicycle, I like to ride it where I like."
Tomorrow I aim to go to John's favourite spot..."The Hole in the Hedge!"
Share
John's Bike Gets an MOT
Tuesday 3rd Jun John's Bike hadn't been out for a while so I took it to George at Richards Cycles to give it the once over. Brakes fixed, Chain replaced and a bit of lubrication in the right places and it almost flies. Add a bit of technology and I can measure my speed and mileage and put a few more miles on the clock.People can get MOTs as well as John works with a team of health professionals to keep an eye on him. His family of course are the main source of care and they also use technology to help keep John safe.
The miles/kilometres are starting to add up and it reminds me of the Big Team Challenge that John and the Culture Club (SP) took part in a couple of months ago. (More of that another time.)
Share
Harlow Central Library - a Community Centre
Monday 2nd Jun John and I often bump into each other in Harlow Central Library which he walks up to every day. He can read papers, catch up with his friends and have a cuppa at the ACL Cafe where they do a great range of cakes.He has also taken a couple of Seated Yoga classes too in a venue which is increasingly important for community connection. The staff are tremendously understanding of some of the challenges for those of us less digitally inclined!
Share
A Golden Letter Box
Monday 2nd Jun My first trip out with John's Bike took me to a place which will have a lot of memories for a lot of people. The London Olympic Games of of 2012 is recalled when you see a Golden Letter Box which is dedicated to one of our Gold medal winners from the games. Laura Trott of Pursuit Cycling fame is honoured in Harlow and John's Bike rests against it here. John took part in the Barcelona Olympic trial event so another good reminder for him of times gone by. ShareThank you to my Sponsors
£50
Frances Hobbs
£20
Julia Morris
I think it's brilliant what you are doing Dave!! Such a great ambassador for the cause and so glad you've recycled (see what I did there!) Dad's bike, sure didn't want him riding it haha! It's a wicked disease that afflicts so many people now, we can only pray that one day there is a cure for this too.
£20
Anna Dominian
Fabulous work Dave!
£10
David M Hobbs
£10
Aimee
£5
Anna
John got me round lots of my early park runs with his kind words and smilies. This is a great cause, well done
Good for you bruv x