Jimmy's Updates...

Hello all, hope you're all enjoying the summer - plenty of sunshine this year.  In fact I was in the sea last weekend, another one ticked off my list of things to get done. 

Floating Beer Cans.

It wasn't that difficult actually.  The first mistake was taking the chair on the beach, which proved to be absolute nails!  I just sunk into the sand, 20 metres onto the beach it was as if I'd done a full work out.  Anyway, that was the hard bit.  I then jumped out of the chair and sunbathed. 

When it came time to go for a swim my friend Debbie held my feet off the ground and I just made my way backwards down to the water on my hands and butt.  It was fairly quick and easy.  Apart from the odd beer can floating by the water was really quite pleasant to swim in.  Role on Spain .  Next time I'll leave the chair padlocked on the edge of the beach though, it's far easier on my bum.  I do have to be careful of tides and rip currents though as my stroke is not strong enough to get me out of trouble.  So that was last Saturday. 

Helpful Onlookers.

On Sunday myself and my mate Faisal took our handbikes to Richmond Park and met up with Tom, Piers, Olli and Kerry who were there doing some bike training for the London Triathlon.  It was a lovely hot day and we had a great training session.  Faisal's first time out on his new handbike and he did really well. 

I stayed on at the end to complete a final lap of the park and was getting very stuck in when I came screaming round a right hand bend slightly to fast.  Now I'd have thought a 3 wheeled low profile handbike was fairly stable - it seems not.  With no warning what so ever the back right wheel came off the road and the bike flipped putting me unceremoniously onto the road with the bike on top of me, coming to a swift halt using my left arm and shoulder as a brake. 

There were two major differences from the last occasion when I used my foot as a brake: 1) I can feel my arm - ouch! 2) there was a large crowd perfectly placed to watch my stupidity - even more ouch! 

Fortunately one of the more helpful onlookers approached and said that if I moved my legs he could untangle the bike from on top of me.  Obviously the hand aspect of the handbike was lost on him so I politely pointed out that I couldn't.  Seriously though, people are very helpful, if slightly amusing, in situations such as this.  I was unwrapped from the frame and wheels fairly quickly and effortlessly, I could have done it myself but I felt it polite to accept help in the circumstances, and I hopped back on my bike and shot off quick, pretending that it did not hurt.  As soon as I got round the corner I stopped  to gather myself together and another very kind chap stopped to offer me a drink and remark how well my war wounds would go down at the pub. 

Dripping Blood.

Four days later Faisal came to visit me at Headley Court and we went out for another cycle.  I should have seen it coming when he appeared impressed with my antics of the previous weekend, and then my comment that you weren't a proper handcyclist until you'd taken a spill obviously did not help. 

We were just getting into our stride when I heard a shriek from behind and then the scraping ands scratching of metal.  Never one to be out done there was Faisal with his bike on top of him and blood slowly dripping off his arm and hand into small pools on the road. 

Rhossili Coast Guard.

Well, all the fun I'd had cycling and swimming planted a nagging idea in my mind.  The sort I can't get rid of and just seems to grow and grow. 

It started as a thought that'd it be nice if I was allowed to do the bike phase of the London Triathlon so that I can lend morale support to my 18 mates and family that are doing it for the Trust Fund.  It then grew a little and the next thing I knew I was on the phone to the organisers, having secured a place as the third paraplegic taking part in this years race. Wow, I really am excited. 

It takes place on Sun 7 Aug and I'll be starting at 0730.  I'll be racing to raise money for the Rhossili Coast Guard who did such a wonderful job attending to Claire and I and who are all volunteers.  Please support me in this and support the great work of the guys that rescued me by sponsoring me on-line.  Much appreciated to you all and role on Aug 7.  Hope you'll be there to watch, it'll be a top day out.