And another!

Had you fooled! Short and sweet my armpit!

Just to let you know that I made it to Brighton and back on by bike and I expect to be out of hospital sometime in June......only joking. I rode really well and apart from a spot of the runs on the way back (good job I was sitting down) I did the 116 miles without too much discomfort. I even managed to win a few sprints to the top of hills!! Not bad for an old fat git.

But you don't want to know about that..........or do you? Perhaps you should consider joining the Big Foot Cycling Club (male and female) and come out with us sometime. For proof of my age and physical state you can see photos of the Brighton ride on their website. I am the handsome one, sitting in the ambulance.

NAPAC is doing well at the moment. Our wonderful new volunteers are getting stuck into calls and we love having them on board. Our old volunteers are also wonderful and it's absolutely marvellous when our long serving people are able to come alonside the new ones. It doesn't always work out like that but we try!

I have got lots going on in my head at the moment (suprisingly for me) in terms of where napac is going and I will share some of those thoughts another time but right now I want to remind you about our Fund Raising event in Dudley on Saturday 27th June. There are some fantastic items for auction (signed Liverpool and Villa matchballs, signed England shirt etc). It's at Club Dudley in Waterloo Road, Dudley (West Midlands) and starts at 7.30. It's ticket only so somewhere on our website the wonderful Helen will hopefully put full details.
Well, it's Friday afternoon and I am trying to think of an excuse to bunk off early. How about.....pub opening time? That's a good excuse. Again, only joking. I'm an athlete and besides, negotiating the Old Kent Road on the bike when sober is bad enough , how I'd manage it drunk, heavens knows. Funnily enough I've only ever been stopped for speeding twice. Once was in my car on the A56 near Manchester (the cops were brilliant. I apologised, told them the truth "I was running late officer" and they let me go) Good old British bobby. The other time was by the Royal Parks Constabulary in Richmond Park (apart 35 years ago!). Myself and 3 other riders were training there and we were exceeding the 30mph (eat your heart out Lance) speed limit. They weren't so friendly and warned us we were in danger of colliding with the deer (and those who know Richmond Park will know this) who stroll across the road. Venison steaks?? Now there's a thought.

Tonight I am having a secret meeting with Secret Mision, our rock band musician friends. There is a rumour that they are going to be doing a gig in the Bromley area. That's great news for me as they usually like to drag us all the way to the other side of London to watch them perform. When I know when they will be playing (and where) I'll let you know. Secret Mission really are different and well worth seeing................hey! I even have a Secret Mission tee shirt. Pete the 52 year old groupie!

Well I will sign off now and climb into the lycra. The Old Kent Road seems to be particularly busy on Friday evenings so I need to take care. I always say an extra prayer before making the journey because it was on that very road where I had my last crash. White van driver, on his mobile "didn't see me". Ran me off the road right next to Old Kent Road fire station then promptly drove right over my bike. Good job I had extracted my legs in time. And it was then that I discovered what a nice bunch of chaps our firemen can be. "We saw the whole thing mate, he nearly killed you". "He was on his mobile phone". "We''ll be your witnesses". Thanks chaps. It didn't do me any good. I wasn't badly hurt so the police said to forget it..........you win some???
Have an awesome weekend.
Love
Pete