Full steam ahead

Okay, so I promise to stop with the puns in the blog titles, but indulge me a little, I'm excited!

I'm excited because just a couple of days in I've had so many kind offers of support already. Firstly, the event is now registered with Worcestershire Macmillan and I've requested merchandise for the event - got a little more excited by the bunting than I should've done but again, indulge me! Thank you to Kelly, Fundraising Manager at Worcestershire Macmillan who has been so prompt and helpful in her emails and answered some nagging questions for me.

Just as important though is the support I've had from family and friends. The date is firmly fixed in the Wilkins' calendar, that is however after I convinced them that the date wasn't for an engagement party - wishful thinking on their parts I believe! Helen and Darren Peters (Martin's sister and brother in law) were named riders numbers 2 & 3 after Nathan Carvell who is dutifully (being my loving partner) taking on the role of cycle team captain. Graphic designer by trade and bike enthusiast by weekend, I'll be utilising both those skills at some point! Cyclist number 4 comes in the shape of Paul Bryant who has rescued his bike from the depths of somewhere to get himself fit enough to cycle the 16 miles needed. Keep your eyes peeled to the right of the blog for the list of cyclists. Those who are cycling, I've popped a couple of useful links underneath for your reading pleasure.

The event team has been bolstered by the support of wonderful friends Lucy Chatterley (who insists on having the title Executive Event Assistant), Jessica Ivory and Lucy-Jayne Davies (Vigilant Veggie) - who I predict will  be on bake sale duty!

BIG BIG thanks already go out to Ben Froggat of Venture Bikes in Stirchley Birmingham who has kindly agreed to be 'Ben our Bike Man' and check over all the cyclists bikes before they set off so they don't get themselves into any trouble. If you're in need of any bike parts or accessories prior to the event I can recommend him, there's a link of the left hand side to his shop.

Also in the calendar is to meet Lesley, Martin's wife (I feel at 24, calling people Aunt and Uncle is a little weird - anyone agree?), at Arley station on Sunday. We plan hopefully to meet Ian the Arley station manager who has also kindly given his full support to the event. Afterwards, myself and Nathan, will be testing the route planned for the race. So if I don't update for a while it's because I'm recovering! As soon as we've got this sorted I'll update all you wonderful cyclists and post the route on here.

I've also hit the social media trail, obviously setting up the blog and the various links to the right but also a Facebook event page and Just Giving page. Both are out there to use if you wish but I'll officially make them 'live' shortly when we have more details. I'm very open to suggestions/improvements on this side of things so feel free to let me know!

Also to do, with Lesley's help,  is contact the several Fire Brigades that Martin worked for. I'm sure once this happens my cyclist list and the event as a whole along with the current support will snowball into the event I desperately hope it to be.

Thanks for reading guys - I'll continue to keep you updated and please get in touch with anything you want to suggest or say!

Kerrie xxx