I, in a moment of madness, have signed up to complete the full Trans-Pennine Bike challenge on June 25th-27th in support of Brainwave and NW Air Ambulance Service charities.

I need to raise £250 so any sponsorship from fellow posters would be greatly appreciated.

Oooh, might have a look at doing this.

I'd ask for the link, but I'm sure several folk will jump down my throat saying "why can't I find it myself?". Then again, this forum isn't the Sin Bin.

I'll do the old google thing.

Who are you doing it with or are you doing it on your own ?

I'm doing this with work. Not sure if its just us or part of a larger challenge.

Got my training pack today..

I must be mad

who do you work for ? only asking as I was asked if I wanted to do the same route with the Lads from the bus depot but not heard anything since ,215 is a big ask in 3 days ,I do 18 a day as training up to now but 70 a day for amateurs is a lot I would have said it was a 4 day ride not 3 imo !

What's your current training route, Padders? Looking myself to get out on the bike and do a bit of outdoor training. Always enjoyed my cycling.

I imagine doing it in the 3 days is the challenge. Not just doing it lesuirely. We need to travel at 13 mph which is a big ask IMO but I am relishing it, even with my boobed knee.

Morson International in Manchester. Would imagine it is part of a larger challenge rather than just us being involved.

The training regime is as follows

Week1 - 2 rides - 30 minutes each - log avg speed.
Week2 - 2 rides - 45 minutes each - increase speed by 1mph
Week3 - 3 x 10 mile rides, including non flat surface
Week4 - 3 x 12-14 mile rides undulating
Week5 - 3 x 16 miles rides one on a hilly route
Week6 - 2 x 15 mile rides, and 1 ride of 2 hours
Week7 - 2 x 18 mile rides, and 1 ride of 25 miles
Week8 - 4 rides, 2 hours then 1 hour and then 2x2 hours back to back
Week9 - same as 7
Week10 -same as 8
Week11 - 2 x 1 hour rides (b2b), 2x 2 1/2 hour rides (b2b)
Week12 - 3 x 15 mile rides, 1 ride of 3 hours non stop
Week13 - 2 x 10 mile rides, 1 x 2 hour ride and 1 x 3 hour ride back to back
Week14 - 4 rides b2b, min 15 miles. 1 ride of 4 hours or 40 miles.
Week15 - 4 rides back to back, min 1 hour
Week16 - Ride 3 times. 1 hour / 45 mins / 30 mins - Rest for 2 days..

And yes, I'm bricking it. The adrenaline gets pumping just reading it to be honest. I'm looking forward to getting very fit, very quick, again.

Never done anything like this before though!

PS - Any bike reccomendations (£500-600)?

Have you decided if you want a tour bike or a mountain bike?
You can use both on the trans-pennine trail and they both have their advantages but if your aiming for 70 miles a day I would go for a tour bike.
Personally I love Dawes e.g. [urlhttp://www.dawescycles.com/p-222-vantage.aspx[/url this bad boy.
Essential to get SPD pedals though for a long journey and get some chunky tyres for it.
The bike shop behind the south stand (Cyclehouse [urlhttp://www.cyclehouse.net/[/url) is brilliant for more mountain bike stuff and accessories like panniers. And Chain Reaction Cycles website [urlhttp://www.chainreactioncycles.com/[/url is good for anything else!

could you not just use some of the money for the bike to your 250 quid needed, or give double that if you've got it going spare?

I am giving more than the £250 out of my own pocket regardless.
I will need a bike if I intend to complete the course, and intend to use it for other events again in future and for personal use too so there is little point me buying a £100 supermarket bike which probably wont make the distance of this challenge, or would mean I have to pay to replace it after the event.

I don't particularly understand the question to be honest. If you were thinking I am coming on here to plead poverty your wrong. It's a chance for people to donate through sponsorship, nothing more. If people dont want to, then they wont.