Precipitation trepidation

This is now bidding to turn into a suspense movie as we daily eye the weather forecasts and turn pale at reports of snow, floods and evacuations along our trail in North Wales. Our first campsite has closed its waterlogged grounds, and we even begin to think of prospecting for B&B. We can't go by train because of the rail strike, but we are all determined to make it and are much enthused by the tributes and donations pouring in to Nick's Memorial.

Behind every great man....

This is a shout out to the laydees. Thank you to the silent majority supporting the intrepid husbands, partners and dads. The partners of the cyclists have all contributed enormously to this event, by taking the slack at home with young babies and children, giving up weekends/evenings/holidays, and rubbing sore bums (thats the good bit). This event couldn't happen without them and as the run up to Friday begins, and the desperate realisation dawns that it is either the spare pair of socks or the puncture repair kit, the families deserve a special thought. So remember that while the menfolk plug away cycling hard, their compadres will be doing the same keeping the home fires burning.....

To all of you who have generously contributed your hard earned wonga to a vital and underfunded cause - thank you from us at home too.

Go crew Nick!

We're getting there - aren't we?

The trusty, rusty van returned from Wales last night, having been fully serviced in anticipation of the requirement to offer a reliable service to the biking crew. Then something in the clutch mechanism collapsed, loudly, this morning in Didsbury, leaving me re-directing the rat-run traffic trying to dash round the Marie-Louise Gardens. So back to the garage for repairs. Just as well that didn't happen in the Wicklow Mountains, I guess; things could always be worse.

Progress Report on the Bike Ride

The bike ride begins on 2nd April, and there have probably been tears already as members of the team have been making training runs in wet and windy weather conditions. Except for Ste in Florida, where riding a bike must seem a lot easier. The good news is that fund raising on the Just Giving page has already exceeded the £5000 target, and is likely to go over £6000, with some sponsorships added. Ben suggests that we leave the target at £5000 and see how much more than 100% they can give. Even the Disney Corporation are playing a part, since they are flying Ste in for the event first class: and his bike. Meanwhile it is rumoured that local cycle shops have run out of padded shorts. We'll keep you posted and the plan once we start is to give a daily blog as we make our way through Cheshire and Wales, across the sea to Ireland, and finally to Cork. Incidentally, we will be met there by Nick's old doctoral supervisor and director of Cork's Centre for Research in Atmospheric Chemistry, Professor John Sodeau. At the moment our minds are preoccupied with cycling gear, camp sites, sleeping bags, tents and how to cook the porridge.

The Nick Minogue Memorial Challenge Bike Ride

To begin, here is what Ben Minogue wrote as the heading to the Just Giving page (http://www.justgiving.com/Nick-Minogue) to explain the thinking behind the Nick Minogue Memorial Challenge Manchester-Cork Bicycle Ride:
The 15th March 2010 marked the first anniversary of Nicks death. As family, friends and colleagues we all miss Nick terribly and it has been a difficult year coming to terms with the tragedy of losing him.
For all of us who knew him he was an inspiration, he was passionate and always gave 100% in everything did. Whether he was writing his PhD, painting, playing football or supporting his friends and family he was wholly committed. For many reasons we will never forget him and over the past year we have all ‘remembered’ in our own way.
To honour the memory of his life, achievements and struggles, there will be a Memorial Bike Ride from Didsbury in Manchester, where Nick grew up, to University College Cork (UCC) in Ireland where he completed his PhD related to ozone depletion and global warming, and helped set up the University’s Centre for Research into Atmospheric Chemistry.
Asif, Ben, Col, Dan, Jonathon, Nick B, Rob and Ste will cycle from Manchester, across North Wales to Holyhead, jump on a ferry to Dublin and head through the Wicklow mountains south to Cork. Martin and Alan will drive the support van providing first aid, food and a haven for struggling riders. We will be camping at each stop, after cycling up to 80 miles per day, to complete the 400 mile trip. There will be tears and tantrums, punctures and saddle sores and all we ask in return is a donation to a cause closely related to Nick and his life.
Starting on Good Friday we will ride for 6 days and promise to give 100% effort, just as Nick would have done. Please dig deep to give to a great cause