Vale Royal AC Runners

Apart from actual cycling, the last seven days has seen, more items purchased, our fund raising pack received, T-shirts eventually donned (that's a strange word isn't it!), sponsorship raised, photographs taken, articles written, and I've even found my cycle helmet - we really are going to have to do this ride!

Early last week we received the fundraising pack from The Dystonia Society, which contained sponsorship forms, informative literature and a T-shirt for each of us to help promote the charity. The T-shirts carry the slogan 'Doing it for Dystonia' on the back, which by sheer coincidence (we had not seen that slogan elsewhere before) was the phrase we had used on our poster and also the title of our last blog, not sure whether that makes us marketing genius's? or very predictable? I will leave you to decide!

Armed with this Mark 'tapped' in to his contacts at the Northwich Guardian and arranged an early morning photo shoot with their main photographer (a man who can hopefully make the camera lie!), to help publicise the event. The 'shoot' took place at Mark's business premises in Wincham. For the pictures we were required to get in to full cycling kit and to model the Dystonia T-shirts. Unfortunately, the T-shirts we received were both medium, which presented a 'small' problem! 'Big' Mark confirming that it was nearly 40 years since he last wore a medium! He certainly took a while trying to get his on (I knew those tyre leavers would come in handy!) the photographer taking a few snap at this stage (in case this became the story!) - but eventually, holding his breath he made it - by then his face definitely had a shade of blue in (for Dystonia!).

A still picture was taken with us leaning on the saddles of the bikes (like tired cyclists do!) and then we had to do an action shot, performing stunts that would put any motorbike display team to shame we managed to cycle next to each other, without crashing, for nearly 20 yards! We haven't seen the photos yet, but we're expecting record sales of the paper this week! However, there is a chance that a huge great van, bearing the name 'Vale Plumbing Supplies'  http://valeplumbingsupplies.com/  that was parked nearby, might obscure both of us in the photos! Surely a firm like that will give a large charitable donation to us!  Mark has also given the paper a telephone interview (which slightly worries me!) I hope he's put something true in it (for Dystonia!).

We are also hopeful that the Chronicle will give us some coverage in the next week or two as well. So make sure you pick up a copy of this fine free newspaper (that should be enough to get us some coverage surely!) and look out for an article featuring us two in it (for Dystonia!).

I have now purchased identical panniers to Mark together with the same little handlebar bag. We also have similar black cycling shorts, white socks and trainers, plus our matching blue cycling tops. However, Ken has spotted that the tops, although the same colour, are not the identical tops that we had planned (they are in fact made by different manufacturers!). When this was pointed out to us it was a slightly difficult/awkward moment for us both! But, after a period of silence, followed by much tutting, and blame apportionment, we've moved on and 'he's' still coming on the trip! Anyway, to the untrained eye we look so alike that we could be twins, yes like Danny DeVito and Arnie! Despite now possessing all the correct cycling gear we still have thoughts about doing the ride in fancy dress! Laurel & Hardy has been the main suggestion, particularly as we're starting 'Way out West' and finishing in 'Bonnie Scotland' (and it certainly could be a lonesome trail). So we could well end up dressing as the comedy double act but as yet despite a lot of 'head scratching' we haven't been able to agree who would be who in it (for Dystonia!).

If you are reading this blog - please feel free to view it as a form of busking and throw some money in to our virtual guitar case! http://www.justgiving.com/lejog-bigmarkandgoffy  Yes, if you got any spare pounds why not chuck a few in it (for Dystonia!).

I'll write up the story of this last Sunday's (7 June) ride in the next day or two - was another interesting one with quite a long time on the road and the odd stop for a brew in it (for Dystonia!).

Goffy.