More weekend

Sunday was rugby day in more ways than one.  Jake was playing and so were England and there the similarities end!

Another glorious day that meant Nic & Philip really didn't mind spending several hours on a touchline in Chipping Norton.  Evesham Rugby Club under 12s are a work in progress, their season has been marked by some quite big scores - always against them.  Imagine then, arriving at Chipping Norton to find that it was actually a 3-way mini tournament and the third team were Stow on the Wold, previous 77 - 0 victors against ERC.

The sun was shining, often a good sign for ERC under 12s.  Parents were buoyed by the excellent, and large, cups of coffee on offer in the clubhouse and there was a good vibe.  Yes, the boys did lose their match against Chipping Norton but there was a definite feeling that they had had the ability to beat them.  So, bring on Stow and their black and white hoops.  Nic went for a coffee and returned to find ERC a try and conversion ahead (typical!)  They played fantastically well even if, for a few strange minutes, Jake found himself playing out on the wing and a little bit lost.  Returned to the front row he even came in contact with the ball a couple of times and ERC continued to play well, running out 21 - 5 winners to a huge, collective cheer from their supporters.

The coaches awarded the whole team the 'Man of the Match' Award and lucky Jake was given the opportunity to have the trophy for the week on behalf of the team.  This meant 'lucky' Jake was carried off the pitch by his team mates and then doused with water - a great ERC tradition (on a warm, sunny day!)

Very, very happy!

Very, very wet!

A full weekend

A full weekend.

We had a great start to this weekend with a very encouraging text from Access Sport regarding a possible outing to the National Cycling Centre - keep following to find out more.  We also had some very enthusiastic support from 2 schools that will be joining our bikewithJake '6 wheel challenge'.

After Jake's hockey session on Friday we chugged wearily to Tesco's for the obligatory weekend shop and bumped into a friend of the team - Joan who thrust £10.00 into Jake's hand as a donation for the ride.  Thank you very much!

Saturday came, a day Nic was sort of dreading - back on the bike after the dreaded lurg and vertigo.  It was a glorious day so off we went for a low level 20 mile spin.  The average speed was pretty good for two-thirds of the ride but Nic began to flag and the boys found themselves waiting..... waiting again ... and again .... and then finally abandoning (on Nic's advice) as steaming home for the last 2 miles.  Nic kept pedalling but muscles had allegedly been replaced by some form of mush and the average speed dropped.

Still, you'll be pleased to know that if you click here you'll be able to see a map of our ride through the Endomondo website.  Be patient, it can sometimes be reluctant to load.

On Saturday evening Jake went on a late night hike with scouts to return, in theory, at midnight.  An opportunity for an adults evening out with Nic, Philip, Philip's eldest daughter and her boyfriend.  Which bikewithJake team member hadn't booked a table?  Hmmmm - let's just say, it wasn't Nic!  The foursome duly decamped from the pub to the Indian Restaurant across the road and sat down to order at 9.30 p.m.  Not to worry, Jake will be out until midnight.  The phone rang at 10.08, about 5 mouthfuls into the maincourse (the only course).  Guess which member of the team left to pick up Jake?   Hmmmm - let's just say, it wasn't Philip!

The challenge roller-coaster

Got our first newspaper coverage today, we are officially Page 3 material!

Photo of Jake & Philip is great, needs a veil drawing over Nic (literally and metaphorically!)  Sarah Taylor at Evesham Journal has done a great job for us - many thanks.

So, that's the 'up' bit, what's the down? I hear you ask.   Hmm, Nic is suffering from vertigo - not good for balancing on her feet, let alone her bike.  Possibly the revenge of alcohol drinkers beacause she, as a non-drinker, has had so much fun at their expense.  Alternatively, it's the remnants of a heavy cold and will be gone as soon as it came.

Will upload newspaper coverage asap for suitable comments!

Lots of good stuff going on!

So much to say, so little time, so a quick overview:

Ouch!

Jake takes up Tae KwonDo.....Jake breaks his toe on airing cupboard door following Tae KwonDo kick practice.
Brave soul takes bent and purple toe to Tae KwonDo club that evening and takes part.....boys hey!

Great response from a lot of the schools we've approached to join the bikewithJake Team as new half-term looms the pace will be hotting up.
Check out go ahead schools; Wellacre Academy, Manchester, Bannerman High, Glasgow, Royal Manor, Portland and Cox Green, Maidenhead.  The schools look amazing and Cox Green has a great Olympic blog.

First polo shirts printed and first photo shoot for local papers duly done.  Thanks to Dave & John at Beacon Sports, Malvern for donating the shirts! Look our for self-conscious posing in Evesham Journal.  Many thanks to Sarah and Nick at Worcester News.

STOP PRESS ----   STOP PRESS
bikewithJake are the proud owners of a QR Code!  Kevin at Sign Here, Worcester is a genius and a true professional into the bargain!  After being asked if he could print onto 6, seen better days bike panniers and pannier covers, Kevin came up with lots of ideas and showed us the QR Code system and now we really are 21st century.

Had a couple of days down on the south coast - no bikes but did quick visit to Bournemouth.

Boys are out cycling a 25 miler with mate Geoff.  Poor Geoff, he's doing 40 miles due to pedal to and from meeting place (more like this Geoff & you could join the team in June!) Nic is snuggled up after interesting first ever bout of vertigo.
Looking forward to spring coming and pedalling in warm sunshine.