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Day 1 - The Ferry.. One More Day To Go.. Come And Get Your Tickets.. Something For The Boys..
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Day 1 - The Ferry
Sunday 25th
We all set off at about 14:00 to get down to Portsmouth. So me, Donna, Tom and my mum all piled into the fiesta and set off.
After a pretty good drive down we arrived in Portsmouth and settled into our hotel which was host to the regional Crown Green Bowls competition, we managed to lower the average age to about 70. We went round the waterfront for a few drinks and found that there isn't that many places and the ones that were open were dives, so we ended up back in the Hotel bar.
Monday 26th
The folowing morning we all got up a little bleary eyed after our late night escapades and went for a hearty breakfast before heading off to the meeting point. On route we looked round the shops and tried to get our heads back to normal working order. at 14:00 we went to the Historic Dockyard to get me registered and it was there that the fun began.
Firstly everyone had massive bags so I started panicking thinking that I'd missed something off the kit list, then everyone looked really serious and in great shape. This was not going to be fun. Then I started to see the older riders arriving an the beer loving ex-squaddies we know and love. My kinda people.
After registering we dropped all my stuff off then waited ropund for the starting build up. There was a fly past by the Red arrows at about 16:00 which was pretty good, but I did think that they should have come back round again. At 17:30 all family and friends had to leave the Naval base so I was on my own with a massive hangover. I had a drink to try to sort me out and something to eat, I went over and introduced myself to Craig Lundberg, a 22 scouser who was injured in combat in 2007, and his co rider Phil. They were doing the ride on an old beat up tandem.
After we had an introduction from Bryn & Emma Parry who set up the ride and Help for Heroes and Jonathon Bryan from Discover Adventure we eading back to the area by HMS Victory where a group of riders from Headley Court an several others were waiting to start the ride. The Royal Marine then played a Ceremonial Sunset which was brilliant then the riders were sent on their way by the Second Sea Lord and the Commodore. At this point the rest of us gathered our bikes and set off on the short journey to the Ferry Port.
Once at the port we waited for what seemed like forever in the cold before being allowed to board. Once on board I shared a cabin with Olly, Olly and Harry, then it was to the bar. After a couple of hours the bar closed and it was time for bed and to worry about the days riding ahead.
Total Miles - 2.3
One More Day To Go
It's been a while since my last post as I've been busy sorting stuff out and I've spent a week in Spain.
The Race night & raffle were a great success raising around £800.
I've really let myself down with my training with everything that's been going on of late but I'm confident that I'll get through it.
I called BT on Wednesday to upgrade to their new BT Anywhere service as they offer a mobile phone that gives you free internet via hotspots. I explained to the girl that I needed it for the bike ride as I wanted to keep the blog updated whilst away so she advised me that I'd receive the phone by Friday. I go the SIM the following day but heard nothing about the phone so I called up today to query this and found out that the order had not been completed. Due to this I am not able to get the phone until the 2nd of June which is a waste of time now. I spoke to a manager who just spent 5 minutes apologising and not offering any solutions, when I asked if there was anyway that I could get it couriered.....NO! could I collect it....NO!
I've always been pretty impressed by BT in the past but I'm gutted about the crap service I've had this time.
Hopefully I'll be able to find a way to keep this updated while I'm away otherwise it'll be a mass blog when I get back.
Come And Get Your Tickets
The tickets are available for the Race Night at the Aigburth Cricket & Bowls club in aide of Help for Heroes. This charity works to provide support for servicemen & women who have been injured in combat.
Friday 2nd May starting at 8pm.
Entrance fee £5, including a free Raffle ticket.
8 Races
Cash prize for the owner of the winning horse
Cash prize for 1st place
Raffle - £2.50 a ticket
There are lots of Prizes on offer, so far there's meals at Alma De Cuba & Est Est Est, vouchers for The Fulwood Arms, tickets for the Anfield Stadium tour and the Beatles Story exhibition. There's a hair, massage & nail treatments from local beauticians & also canvas prints, photo prints, a cycle computer & Sunglasses & T-Shirts. I've also got lots of biscuits and sweets available.
If you would like a ticket please mail me, if you like you can pay the £2.50 direct to www.justgiving.com/ben_appleton-bbbr and let me know.
Live Band
I have been offered a local band Triphazard by a local recording studio Squeeze. they are a great 4 piece act.
More info to follow, hopefully I'll be able to get some food laid on.
Contact me for tickets - 07949247491
Something For The Boys
 I won an SAS smock the other week so when I mailed the company with my size I asked for some stuff and brilliantly they've sent me 4 pairs of BLOC sunglasses & 4 5.11 Tactical T-shirts. So a massive thank you to Liz & the staff at Aquity Special Forces Kit Supplies. Please take a look at their site and see all the great offers they have on military kit.
Raffle - £2.50 a ticket. There are lots of Prizes on offer, so far there's meals at Alma De Cuba & Est Est Est, vouchers for The Fulwood Arms, tickets for the Anfield Stadium tour and the Beatles Story exhibition. There's a hair, massage & nail treatments from local beauticians & also canvas prints, photo prints, a cycle computer & Sunglasses & T-Shirts. I've also got lots of biscuits and sweets available.
For tickets or further info please mail me on yimmin@btinternet.com 
More Prizes Coming In
The prizes are still coming in, a little slower that I'd like but they are coming.
I've been offered a voucher towards a meal at the Fulwood Arms on Aigburth Road.
The Fulwood Arms can be found directly facing the entrance to Sefton Park Lake on Aigburth Road. It has a stunning Victorian Burlesque interior with gilt mirrors, chandeliers, velvet curtains, antique bar and Pre-Raphaelite wall papers. It offers a wide range of cask ales, beers, spirits and wines with food being served from 12 noon - 8pm 7 days a week.
I've also received a voucher for a Wash & Set at Glamor on Aigburth Road. Thanks to Catherine there who spoke with the manager and arranged it. They can be contacted at 264 Aigburth Road, L17 9PJ. Tel: 0151 726 0009
I'm hoping that I'll also have a signed Liverpool & Everton top to be auctions off on the night, I'm in the middle of trying to get 2 tops done so keep your eye on this one.
Raffle - £2.50 a ticket. There are lots of Prizes on offer, so far there's meals at Alma De Cuba & Est Est Est, vouchers for The Fulwood Arms, tickets for the Anfield Stadium tour and the Beatles Story exhibition. There's a hair, massage & nail treatments from local beauticians & also canvas prints, photo prints & a cycle computer. I've also got lots of biscuits and sweets available.
For tickets or further info please mail me on yimmin@btinternet.com
Help For Heroes Charity Race Night
It's on!
Friday 2nd May 2008 - 8pm @ Aigburth Cricket & Bowls Club, Southwood Road next to St Michaels Train Station, Aigburth. - £5 including a raffle ticket.
Horse Racing - There will be a series of races being run, you will be able to bid on the auction before each race to buy a horse and the owner of the winning horse will receive half of the total sale. You can then bet on each race as many times as you like and possibly win big money.
( I am looking for local business to sponsor the races and would be like to hear from anyone interested - yimmin@btinternet.com)
Raffle - £2.50 a ticket. There are lots of Prizes on offer, so far there's meals at Alma De Cuba & Est Est Est, tickets for the Anfield Stadium tour and the Beatles Story exhibition. There's a massage & nail treatments from local beauticians & also canvas prints, photo prints & a cycle computer. I've also got lots of biscuits and sweets available.
Live Band – Triphazard, a great local four piece band will be providing music on the night. They have kindly given up there time free for Help for Heroes.
All proceeds from the evening go to Help for Heroes supporting our wounded. Help for Heroes provides practical direct support to those servicemen and women wounded in the line of duty in the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
For tickets or further info please mail me on yimmin@btinternet.com
What A Sweet New Bike
A massive thanks to Justin & Mike at MDI cycles, they've just sorted me out with a great set up for a new bike. I've just had it all build up and it's like a true beauty. I'm off tomorrow so I'm going to break my arse into the saddle, it's hard work but someone's got to do it.
More prizes
 I've been offered a more prizes now, I've got a Back, Neck & Shoulder massage from Elegante Beauty & Holistic Therapies in Bootle. thanks very much to all the staff there & to Cathy for sorting it out. I've also been offered gift certificate for a a set of Creative Acrylic nails from Advanced Mobile Nails, thanks again to Jenny for that one.
Triphazard Rock!
I've just been informed that local band Triphazard have agreed to play on Friday 2nd May at the Race night.
Triphazard are a four piece band who are born and bred in Merseyside which consists of two girls and two guys.
The bands roots began when Stef Stokes, a successful solo performer wanted to form a band. Stef, since the age of 14 had gained recognition on TV, newspapers and radio but wanted to be recognised as a music professional similar to Chrissie Hynde, Debbie Harry and Annie Lennox.
Auditions took place from November 2004 onwards with advice from successful professionals within the music industry. Those candidates who were serious, had character and dedication were chosen. Constant rehearsals and perseverance followed and Triphazards first performance was at a Charity Gig for Marie Curie.
Successful appearances took place within the Northwest and as a result, Triphazard launched the event of Strummers at the Mint Lounge in Manchester. They have appeared numerous times on radio stations such as Radio Merseyside, Juice FM, Radio Lancashire, KCR Radio, QT Radio and Aiiradio.
Currently, they are in the studios putting down tracks for their new album which is due for release in 2008.
If you wish to contact Triphazard for gig opportunities, their e-mail is: triphazardband@hotmail.co.uk
Thanks to Andy & Sue at Squeek Studios.
My Work Colleagues aren't Bad Really!
Today in work I was made up to have one of the lads come round selling raffle tickets, all the money raised from this will be going to Help for Heroes.
We get a budget for incentives and the likes and they's managed to get hold of an HD DVD player as a prize which is great, there's also a huge whiskey bottle full of coins and theres a prize for the person who gets the closest total.
That's an extra 50p per raffle ticket and guess, it's all adding up.
The Clubs Are Getting Behind Me
 This morning I have received a letter in the post from Liverpool Football Club, Beverley Roberts the PR Officer has provided me with a family ticket for the Anfield Stadium & Museum tour. This allows up to four people to follow the stadium tour which takes you behind the scenes at Anfield, visiting the dressing rooms, down the tunnel to the sound of the crowd, a chance to touch the famous “This Is Anfield’ sign and sit in the team dug-out. Informative tour guides will tell you about the great Anfield Stadium and escort you on to The Kop - surely the most famous terrace in World football. You can then visit the Museum which features two film shows - the first is in a recreation of the standing Kop and tells the story of the incredible 'Kopites', the other is a cinema showing 'One Night in May', the wonderful documentary about that night in Istanbul.
So far the prize list consists of:
Why Haven't I Offered Anything?
 I was just sat here looking at my Country Art site and suddenly thought why haven't I offered something? So I'm going to provide any print from the site in A2. I'm in the process of getting more ready to add so there will be a much better choice for the winner. Have a look at what we've got there so far on Country Art
And The Prizes Keep On Coming
Great news this weekend I've been offered a great prize from my step-dad John McNally and the Management team at Alma-De-Cuba.
They have kindly offered a bottle of bubbly and a meal for four as a prize. They have recently taken over the bar and are in the process of setting up their website, please visit their site and register your name to keep up to date on future offers, better still get yourself down there and try some of the amazing food and enjoy the carnival atmosphere.
I have also received some amazing gifts from my cousins boyfriend Justin. He runs a website called velosave, they sell all kinds of bike components at great prices. He has offered me some clothes and shoes for the bike ride which is brilliant as it saves me having to go out and buy them. He also also agreed to help me out with a new road bike at a brilliant price. so thanks again Justin.
Possibly I've got some great prizes of the way, a colleague in work has been onto a member of his family regarding prizes and they have got back to him saying that I may be able to get Blackburn Rovers signed items, David Bentley signed England shirt, vouchers for Jackson the jeweller in Blackburn & Spirits as smaller raffle prizes. So watch this space and hopefully these will come off.
So far the prize list consists of:
Meal for Four & Bottle of Champagne - Alma De Cuba
Meal for Two – Est Est Est
Family Ticket – The Beatles Story Exhibition
Canvas Portrait – gocre8
Biscuit Hampers – Burtons Foods  
Oh The Pain
Well I did the Liverpool Half Marathon at the weekend...that was nice.
At roughly the 6 mile point my ankle did something funny and got quite painful, I battled on to the to of Parliament street and then down Princes Street till I saw an ambulance. I got a lovely plaster for the blister I'd been cultivating and noticed a big red ankle thing going on. Being a real trooper I hobbled round the rest of the course so I could collect my medal then went home to sulk. About an hour after I finished I even got a text to tell me how badly I'd done.
Your time - 02:17:35
Position - 2886
Chip Time - 02:14:11
Rank - 2911
Category - MOPEN
Category Position - 1404
talk about rubbing salt in to the wounds... I was hoping for around 01:45, ah well there's always next year.
Anyway back to the ankle, I was off on Monday & Tuesday (thank god) so I went to the doctors to see what had happened. They had decided to change the appointment system and as my leg was still on it wasn't an emergency and I was told to call up in the morning to try and maybe get an appointment on the Thursday. Gutted, I went back to the car to find that it wouldn't start...this day was getting worse, oh I forgot to mention that Donna had my keys so I was locked out till I could get to her work and pick them up. This was going to be a long walk in to town. 2 hours later & £80 down the RAC got me back on the road, I went and got my keys and went home to sulk again.
On the Tuesday I got up bright and early and went to the Drop-In centre and was told that I had a sweet case of achilles tendonitis, so it's 1-2 weeks on crutches and loads of ibuprofen pills for me then. I don't want to delay it's recovery or make the injury worse so I'm sticking to the letter on this one, 2 weeks out is bad but if I couldn't do the ride I'd be gutted.
Anyway the sponsorship is starting to build up now and hopefully I'll have a few more prizes for the raffle soon, I'm going to have to start looking at getting some tickets printed...any ideas?
Anyone for a Biscuit?
I had a great donation last night, one of the lads from work Alan had sent a mail out to his family asking if they would be able to help out with any sponsorship or prizes for the raffle and came up trumps.
He told me that his brother had a few boxes of goodies for me, when I got to his I found 6 massive boxes full of biscuits and treats.
 I’ve split them all up into different size packs and they will all be offered out as prizes in the raffle. So thanks Mark Pattie & the staff at Burtons foods.
Also Sarra who works with my Fiancée Donna spoke with her partner Darryn who has offered to provide a canvas portrait as a prize (winner provides the picture). Thanks to Darryn Kennerley and staff at gocre8.
 gocre8 provide all aspects of print from design to print to display and new media, so whether it's a few flyer's you need, a banner for a building or covers for CD cases they can provide it all.
So far the prize list consists of:
Meal for Two – Est Est Est
Family Ticket – The Beatles Story Exhibition
Canvas Portrait – gocre8
Biscuit Hampers – Burtons Foods
It’s starting to grow now, please keep asking around though and let me know if you get anything.
In A Bit Of A Drought
Everything seems to have tailed off a little bit now, I've stopped getting letters and mails back from my requests for sponsorship & prizes and the wristband sales have slowed down on eBay.
I've posted on a few forums to try to boost the sponsorship and that seems to have had some impact which is good. I'm going to get onto the council about doing some public campaigning and go and shake some collection tins at people.
If anyone has any ideas of how I can raise money or of someone or a company that would be able to help please don't hesitate to get in touch with me.
Back from Bastogne.
Well not quite, more like Salisbury Plain but it did look like Bastogne.
 I've been on a Lance Bombardier Leadership Course all week which was really good. It was mainly classroom based with a few command tasks but then we had an overnight exercise which was emotional, I reckon it was down to about -5 at least.
I got back to find that the 10 wristbands on eBay had been sold so that's 20 so far, I've just thrown another 10 on. If anyone would like one please visit my eBay page where you can buy them.
Unfortunately there hasn't been anymore offers from the letters I sent out asking for sponsorship, equipment or prizes over the past week, hopefully people have just been thinking really hard about what they can offer and will get back to me really soon.
Last little bit now, it seems like I'm going to have to miss the Liverpool Half Marathon due to a T.A. course that I'm on so if anyone wants a number for it I've got one going. I'm a bit gutted as I was looking forward to it but ah well, time to get on the bike now then.
More prizes
 Last night I received a letter from the staff at the Beatles Story exhibition in the Albert Dock, Liverpool, they have very kindly donated a family ticket (2x adults, 3x children(5-16)) as a prize for me to raffle off. This is a great start so far and a massive boost to get such a big attraction in the city to back what I'm doing and what Help for Heroes are doing.
The first 10 wristbands that I put on eBay have been sold already, at £5 each I had budgeted for the cost of eBay fees, Paypal fees, Jiffy bags & postage and was expecting abouth £3 left. I have managed to get the jiffy bags and postage through work so just have the fees to deduct which means about £4.50 is going into the pot.
I'm going to be away on a course for the next week so hopefully when I get back there will be a raft of goodies for me to tell you all about and loads more sponsorship and wristbands sold.
Bad News
When I was in the T.A. last night I found out that a course I'm on clashes with the Liverpool Half marathon, I'm going to have to have a word with the Sergeant running it to see if there's anything that I can do to get round it. Everything seems to be against me at the minute with this run, I'm on another course all next week so my training is going to be hampered quite heavily by that.
I just hope I can get something sorted out.
First of Many
Last night I came home to a very welcome surprise, VDO Computing had sent me a new cycle computer to help me track my training.
I would like to thank everyone at VDO Computing for their very kind gift and support for the Big Battlefield Bike Ride.
I had written to them to let them know about the BBBR and to see if they could help out in any way and they came straight back within a couple of days. They sent me a new C2 cycle computer.
:: current speed, :: trip counter, :: trip ride timer, :: average speed, :: maximum speed, :: manual stop watch, :: clock, :: total odometer, :: total odometer bike 1 & bike 2, :: comparison of current and average speed, :: 2 wheel sizes (bikes) selectable
Of all the companies that I have written to VDO are the first to get back to me with a positive response, I hope that many other companies will follow suit.
Please follow their link above to check out the excellent products they have available.
I also received an e.mail from Sam Grocott at Living Ventures, she has sent me a voucher for a meal for 2 at one of their Est Est Est venues which I will be either raffling or auctioning off to raise funds.
Visit their website and pop along to one of their restaurants for a great meal. They are also doing their own bit to support H4H, here is a extract from their site.
NewsHelp for HeroesEst Est Est are delighted to be a part of The Sun newspaper's campaign for Help for Heroes. Please read on for further details..... As a show of support to all armed forces Est Est Est will offer complimentary dining to any member of the armed forces who dines in our restaurants. On production of a valid Armed Forces ID the bearer will be entitled to a free starter, main and dessert when there is at least one full paying customer purchasing the equivalent amount of courses. Management reserves the right of admission. There is no cash alternative.
It's great that companies are really getting behind the forces.
Big drive for support
Over the past few weeks I've been putting in a massive drive to try and drum up support and sponsorship for the BBBR. I've sent letters and e.mails to all the local bike shops and all the UK bike manufactures and basically anyone who makes or deals with bike parts, clothes and equipment. Hopefully I'll hear back from some of them soon.
I've also been sending letters and e.mails to a lot of restaurants, shops and local attractions around Liverpool asking if they can offer me anything that I can either raffle or auction off to raise funds. I've also sent letters and e.mails to both of the football clubs in the hopes that they can help out in anyway at all.
The quickest money seems to be coming from the Help for Heroes wristbands that I've been sent, I'm selling them for £3 and have auctioned some on eBay at £5 to cover postage and charges, they are going pretty well.
www.ebay.co.uk/Help For Heroes Wristband Charity Sale
New Year, New Approach
Right 2008 is going to be my year to make changes and do things properly.
I've got a couple of targets to aim to so that's going to make it easier. I'm still doing the BBBR in May but I've also been roped into the Liverpool Half Marathon at the end of March. The idea is to train for the run up until March with a specific training plan but throw in a few walking days and rides then after the run kick hard into more cycling. This way I'll have a good all round fitness and just need to build up the all day stamina and strengthen the ass for the saddle. I've already been out running at 5am and dropped the car for getting to work. I can tell it's going to be hard work but It'll all pay off in the end.
I'm also kicking into gear to get the sponsorship in, I've had posters put up all round work and I'm going to see about getting some professional ones done. Today I posted a few letters out to local bikes hops again asking for stuff for the ride and sponsorship, also I've given some to local restaurants and shops in the hopes that I can get some free stuff to raffle or auction to raise that little bit more.
If anyone knows of anyone who they think would like to help or can offer something please point them in my direction.
Great boost in Sponsorship
I've just come back into work today and I've received a mail from one of the Virgin Media Community Fund panel, this fund is basically helping to fund charitable and community projects, which staff are actively involved with, across a wide range of arts, sports, heritage, charitable and other community activities and events.
Put simply, if you're raising money for a charity or community project, they'll match what you raise - penny for penny, up to £250.
Here's the letter that I was sent;
Ben Appleton
Virgin Media
Consumer
Atlantic Pavilion
21 December 2007
Dear Ben
I’m delighted to tell you that your application for a Virgin Media community fund award has been successful.
I’m a firm believer in supporting associates who are giving something back to their local community or charitable causes. I think it’s crucial to our longer-term success that we get closer to our local communities to build our reputation as a company.
So I’d like to thank you personally for what you have done to date in support of
Help for Heroes.
Payment of a maximum £250.00 (matched to what you raise) will be made upon receipt of a donation request from your charity or organisation once you have completed the Big Battlefield Bike Ride. You should also ensure you supply the address the cheque should be sent to. Please send this information directly to Lucy Otter in Bradford who can be contacted by email.
Thank you again, and my very best wishes for your ongoing endeavours.
Regards
Virginia Budd
On behalf of the Community Fund Panel
This is a great boost to my target, I just hope I can get the rest of it as easily.
I love it when a plan comes together
I went to the gym today and had my fitness review with Mark one of the personal trainers. We sat down and looked at what I wanted to gain and how I was going to go about it. We decided that for the 1st few weeks (I really mean over Christmas) I'm going to concentrate on getting my general fitness back up there while improving my stamina.
Plan 1 - Week 1
20 Minutes Interval training - Treadmill - *1min walk*~*1min run*~*30sec sprint*
*level 5*~*level 10*~*level 15*
12 Minutes Interval training - Cycle - *2 min steady*~*1min sprint*
*k/watt 130*~*k/watt 190*
30 Minutes Weight training - General all round
That's the plan so far, I'll update it in a couple of weeks to see if it's any better.
Bit of a bonus as well today, I got to work thinking I had a couple more days in the 5 days off only to find out that I'm off for 5 days now...great! I'm going to try to get out on a good ride at some point and see how far I can get without pushing myself too hard.
How unfit was I?
Over the past few months I knew that I'd been a bit lazy when it came to working out, the only exercise I did was what I needed to do with the T.A. or an occasional game of 5-a-side. After finding out that I'd got my place on the BBBR I thought that I'd better do something about it...I didn't. I then did the Santa Dash in Liverpool, this is a 5 km circuit round the city centre in a Santa suit. Essentially it's just a good old fashioned fun run, not on this wet Sunday morning though. I got up feeling pretty good and headed into town to meet the other lads from the T.A. when I got there I could only see two of them........the PTI's (Physical Training Instructors). I knew this wasn't going to be fun.
I think the first half of the course was a OK, I felt fine and had a good pace about me and I was keeping up with the PTI's sometimes pushing them. Then all of a sudden, I'm guessing around the 3 km point I started to feel it...the wall, I thought this can't be it I've run further for a shite and been OK. I struggled on, then during the last 500 m I knew I was dying. I just about made it to the finish line while the PTI's skipped and jumped for the cameras. It was at this point that I thought...350 miles, 5 days, 1 bike seat! I'm gonna need to sort this out.
I'm getting back into the swing of it, I've got my bike back on the road and I'm giving up the car, I've got an appointment in the gym tomorrow to get a fitness review and get a plan together to try and get fighting fit. I need a plan cos I'm crap at motivating myself to start with, once I'm on the tracks I'm good but it's just the first few steps I need help with. So it's just a case of watch this space. On my last PFT (Personal Fitness Test) I got 48 Sit Ups, 60 Push Ups and Level 9 on the Bleep Test (I think, I'll check on that). I'm going to do it once a month starting in January and post my results, lets see how much I improve.
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