Starting Over

As luck would have it I kind of fell into the next task due to this recession thing.
- I'd had a little project on the backburner for a while evolving around a website, a logo, a brand & some ideas & the industry that i've worked in for the past 20 years.
Anyhow, during the Xmas break/New Year holiday I really had a good think and a breather and ensured that it would be one of my new years resolutions to start up this company & GO FOR IT!
.....& then I went back to work, and got caught up in the hussle & bussle of everyday working for a large worldwide company.
Move onto March 24th '09 and would you Adam & Eve it - I'm up for redundancy & my branch is set to close!. A branch I'd spent the past 20 years at (on & off).
Seizing this opportunity, & potential void in the marketplace it was all systems go - The project went LIVE!.
A similar minded individual to myself (yes, there is one out there!) also up for redundancy had the same idea, & so with our unique dynamic & mutual inspiration a company was born!
Click Here to take a peak at our website.
Click Here to see the task on the site.

I'm a company director. How Bizarre. But not like one of those that you'd see Here on Google.
Other things:-
Big bike ride - http://www.cycleisland.co.uk/ been training properly for months.
& so I've seen a sight not uncovered for over 12 years. - The '13' stone number on the scales.
That's 2 stone lost in 2 years. 1 to go.

Lifted

The Great Recession stopped play (so at last I have an excuse!). Before 40 will therefore become "Before 50", and therefore there remains less pressure to cram 30 tasks into the remaining 18 months. There will be a new expiry date of 13th July 2020 posted on the site soon!
It would be inappropriate to carry out some of the tasks during this horrible crappy climate, but rest assured the affordable ones will get done soonest.
So, the plan is to freshen up the site a bit. Maybe a new logo? - I'm still getting 50+ hits a day, the site is Google friendly & high on rankings and searches. Lot's of people email me with nice comments (& bad ones!).
Also 'Vlogging' seems tobe the new 'Blogging', but it's not my style, so this Blog survives to see another day.
In the meantime, I think this clip needs a few more hits. Then maybe it'll get seen on Channel 4's "Rude Tube" or something. The one I posted on You Tube where I shave my head has had over 13,000 hits (Mainly thanks to the website?), so here goes:-


I'm Back!

Have I Told You Lately?

So here we are at Half-Way point of the Before40 project. Just eight (and a half) tasks complete out of forty. Not good progress is it. Just 20 % of the way there & should really be 50 %.
- So i got to thinking about this, & looking at some options my current thinking is:

1. Turn Before40.co.uk into maybe something more honest like 'before40 (+1)' & if all tasks still not completed by 2011 then maybe extend it again into 'Before40 (+2)'? - If you match the time taken to complete the eight tasks so far, it is more likely to be 'Before50'!! in the year 2020.!!
2. Change the tasks. This would be a slightly more controversial choice as the whole point in a "to Do" list was for me to complete the 40 things that I'd always wanted to do! - Some, however are proving just to difficult to plan & organise. For instance, will the England football team ever qualify for a Tournament? + Laurence Stone is improving impossible to track down.
However some tasks that i have achieved i would've never believed I'd have completed! - i.e. the London to Brighton & "Meet Francis Dunnery tasks". Now, After completing L2B twice(!) I have applied for the 2009 London Marathon via the The Children's Trust. I no longer desire to stay awake 24hrs. Not sure I even want to go to Glastonbury now.
3. Abandon, or put the site on hold?

So is the Mid-Life Crisis at an end? - YOU DECIDE!

Other Stuff:-

- In Feb I changed jobs after 17 years in the same company. I went back as a Manager to the place where i completed my engineering apprenticeship in 1990. I started back full of happiness & with a good feeling but after 1 month I started to get doubts. After two months I hated it. But leaving my previous employer made me (& them) appreciate each other more & has enabled me to gain a promotion back there that may never have existed otherwise! So now i just think of it as a 'Lost Weekend' or a Four Month holiday!

- I want a Nintendo Wii

- It Bites have a new album out! - First new release in 18 Years. MEGA!

- Sky+ is quite good innit

- Training for the marathon to begin in August. I now own a pair of Nike's for the first time in my life. That means i am taking it seriously!

- I intend to start a campaign to ensure that the BBC use Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain" as the theme tune to their Formula 1 coverage that starts back again on the beeb in 2009. Remember when they tried to change the "Match of the Day" theme tune?

I'll post here again soon. Promise

Tour De France

....(Or London TO Brighton to be exact)

After 6 months training on every Saturday Morning (bar 1 due to a serious hangover), and a grand total of over 900 miles cycled, 3 punctures, four inner tubes, 8lb weight loss, muscle/bottom toning, and a mass love handle reduction, i finally took part once again in the London To Brighton bike ride 2008.
As readers of the blog will know, 2007 was my first time at the event, and after that i said never again. But the truth is last year I was "Beaten by the Beacon"! - Yes I never recovered from the fact that I didn't cycle up Ditchling Beacon in one go, without stopping etc. I'd got about half way up before i almost passed out with exhaustion. (Please 'Google' DitchlingBeacon to see all about it - In summary it is hard enough to walk up, yet alone cycle. Harder still when you consdier it is located 46 miles from the start line of L2B, and only 6.5 miles of downhill/flat remain after it).
Back to the point, After much consideration I posted my "Priority" application back in December & was delighted? in March to receive a 06:00 start time for this years event.
Damn I trained hard for it this time. The highlight was completing a 100km ride around the IOW at the annual IOW Randonnee. which on the day totaled 81 miles as i'd cycled to the So'ton ferry & then home again after the ride was complete & the ferry had docked back at So'ton.

So all the preparation was done. I don't think infact i had been as fit in maybe 10 years.

To get over the mental, psychological side of cycling up Ditchling, I took the 'Clever' step of driving to the foot of the hill the day before L2B, I got the bike out of the car & then went for it.

- 9 Minutes later i was screaming with joy at the summit. I'd done it and celebrated by cycling down again in just over a minute! MAD!!!!!!!!!. Then i drove onto Brighton, parked up at the Marina & then cycled back into Brighton town Centre & caught the Train to London, Clapham.

I stayed in exactly the same place as last year, the Eurolodge, Clapham. Cheap, cheerful but right next to the start line. My Bike was kept in the courtyard & an early night was had ready for the 5:00AM start (Didn't really sleep as Clapham high street is incredibly noisey!).

-SUNDAY 17th JUNE-

I'd Got to the start line in good time and joined the first group, eager & ready to go. It is worth noting that the sort of people that start at this time know the score. They are serious cyclists, they know the streets will be empty & they are on a mission to get to the finish line ASAP!! That said there is still lots of banter & good fun to be had.

06:00hrs exactly & we're off! The weather was perfect & the pace was fast.

Through the whole London part i managed to get through every set of lights without stopping. Once I entered Surrey the roads became very empty & hardly a cyclist in sight - the fast ones had peddalled off into the distance, the slower ones left behind. No one really on the streets to wave us on at this time of the morning!

Turner's Hill is the first serious hill that comes along, but thanks to some great hill training throughout the Winter months it didn't pose me a problem at all.

- The ride did become quite lonely from here on. On the plus side I had the iPod on Shuffle and some great random 80's tunes were coming through the ear phones!

Two & A Half hours in, I still haven't stopped, my average speed was over 16 MPH and then there, lurking in the distance, was the grand sight of Ditchling Beacon.

Now it was 'Ditchling preparation time'. Get the energy snacks in, get the last bit of energy drink down whilst trying not to choke or crash. Catch my breath, slow the pace, only 1 mile to go before the foot of the hill. There is a deadly silence. We (total strangers!) all wish each over good luck. There are signs at the side of the road wishing us good luck. This is it. This is the moment. I have cycled 45 miles at an amazing pace without stopping & now I have slowed my pace to almost a crawl. I'm in the lowest gear at the lowest part of the hill. Only 1.5 miles to the top. No rush just make it up there without stopping.

I'm now Half way up. Some people are allready on foot, pushing their bikes, beaten, breathless & almost in tears. Not me. Me & my £300 bike from Halfords are as one, we're gonna do this.

Three quarters up. Nearly there, but it's tough. Tougher than last year. At this point I've allready made it much further than last year and now i'm struggling. The pace is slow & for the first time in ages i'm breathless. I'm high up a hill and i'm struggling. My body is seizing up. But come on, pull it together, it's not much further now surely?

I turn a corner, this hill has levelled off a bit. This is it, I'm almost there. I must be. It didn't seem this long yesterday?

I look up and i'm beaten. There is one last further incline. I'm drained. In cycling terms i've hit the "Bonk", "the wall". There is nothing left in me. It's either pass out or get off & push.

I'm off now on foot & pushing my bike the final 50 yards to the top. Angry & sad. For the second year running i'm beaten by the Beacon. I console myself in the fact that I did manage to cycle it the day before without stopping, but that was different, i'd had fresh legs.

No time to dwell on it. Back on the bike & now it's all down hill to the finsh. I manage an amazing 46 MPH going down the final hill into Brighton, THE ultimate buzz. Damn dangerous but great.

Then I join in with a group of Pro's and we sprint the last two miles into Brighton, through the town centre and onto the finish line.

It's now 09:19hrs & i've crossed the finish line. Total time of 3hrs and 19 minutes. There are crowds allready cheering us through & it feels great!

I've burned something like 150g of fat, 1800 calories and actually feel not too bad. There is free water to be drunk, and then a mile or so onto the Marina & find the car parked up from the day before (Thankfully no parking ticket!).

Yet to have breakfast, I find myself an hour later in a McDonalds off the A27 eating an egg McMuffin, and then it's home to enjoy what remains of a very different kind of Father's Day!

This year i made no demands on people for sponsorship. I have created an online sponsorship page, and if on reading this you feel inclinded to want to do a kind of 'post' sponsor type thing and give to a good cause (BHF), then here is the link to my online sponsorship page :-http://www.justgiving.com/pbrewer

Next post coming soon, and some good ideas about the damn tasks i've yet to complete!

My Heart Will Go On

It's that time again.....

Click Here to see !

Current things happening:-
Sky+
Training Hard in prep for L2B
My Broadband is back on (5 weeks on 56k is not good)
Exhausted with new job (but it's acually OK)
Played on a Wii for the first time (Good innit)

Current things not happening:-
tasks on www.before40.co.uk

Oops

Road To Nowhere

So here we go again, the early 'pre' application was succesful & training for the BHF London To Brighton Bike Ride 2008 has begun in earnest. Event date - Sunday 15th June 2008.

I was in two minds whether or not to go for it again after last year, but i just gotta "Beat The Beacon" & so will be focused not only on getting to the finish line, but also climbing the Mother of all hills, Ditchling beacon without stopping to get off & walk (It's very, very steep).

You may also note the ridiculously early start time this year. Those in the know however would say "Well Done" - No issues with traffic & bunching up at junctions etc. me thinks.

Talking of all things 'Bike', here's me from a 1982 local press cutting (I'm the one in the middle with the dodgy blonde hair)

The guy doing the "Bunny Hop" is none other than Andy Ruffell - BMX Freestyle champion of the 80's era, & in a later life, founder of the MoBo Awards no less.

See more about him here AndyRuffell.com

So just when am i going to complete another task......................?

Motorcycle Emptiness

As is the norm at the moment, not much happening at Before40 towers in terms of tasks completed. No rush, I've still got 874 days to go = 1 task a month.
The new house decorating is progressing somewhat slowly, and has become my current distraction. Every room has it's own unique challenge. The living room is virtually done. Spotlights have been installed (12 in total; that gives you a rough idea just how god damn big the living room is!), just a fireplace to go in & a bit of sanding & polishing on the parquet flooring.
Whilst that is going on, the wallpaper is off on the hallway (Well the downstairs part anyhow). That in itself has allready presented problems. Underneath the anaglypta wallpaper is lining paper. Under that is a layer of paint that is flaking off, & all needs to be scraped off bit by bit. 6 months work to finish the hallway decor is my early guesstimation.

Want to know the Best 80's T.V. programme?
&, definately the best T.V. theme tune? (IMO):-

Nailbiting stuff:-

+
Let's celebrate! - Mercury is no longer in Retrograde! (Ended Feb 18th) - Bet you all feel better now? Maybe I'll be cursed now? - I broke the rule of this that says "Do Not sign Any Contracts". Oops. I also sarted a new project during retrograde. Double Oops!
Also,
Loving this blog by the super talented Jem (From the band Frost) http://www.thenewcube.blogspot.com/ - Why can't all bands do this sort of thing?
Finally, a Quick hello to my friends over at www.before30.co.uk Go check 'em out.
I have now counted at least 40 x "Forty Before 40" lists/blogs on the net. Seems like Google loves me the best still though! - Type in "Forty Things to Do" or "Forty Before 40" or "The Big 40" or "40" & you'll find me there, right there waiting for you at the top of the listings. Go on, Come & find me!

	Enter your search terms Submit search form
	Web www.before40.co.uk

I Predict A Riot

Well, if only i had a task as one of the 40 "Change my Job"!. After 17 and a bit long years i finally got out of the rut & got myself a new job. A big decision to make, but to move on & move forward definately the right one.
I'd been dreaming about handing my notice in for many months, and how i'd do it etc., but in the end once i'd received confirmation it was just a quick drive upto HO with a letter, a hastily arranged meeting with my boss, a quick explanation of why & where i'm off to & then drive back home. (Definately won't miss that horrible drive on the M3 & M25 motorway that's for sure.!)
I'd got an agreement/arangement that i would not announce the resignation until Tuesday 12th, as it would be best to announce it to all my reports (17 in all!) in one go.
So there is a prepared statement just waiting to be read.
The new job is back at the place where i started in 1986. Some say you should never go back, but 21 years on & now i go back as the big boss!
..........Just need to sort out this ridiculous 3 month notice period. I mean, just how do you keep focused in a job when your mind (& career) is somewhere else?

The Way I Are

......More apologies for not updating the site recently. I could list here many reasons why i've not been able to complete some more tasks recently, but that would make boring reading.

The main reason however would be the energy that moving into this place has taken out of me. It has all been worth it though as the peace & quiet here is something else!
I am currently writing from the new abode, again with illness (Man Flu). That means time of work, & a chance to update this!
2007 has definately been one for illness & aches:-

• Frozen shoulder
• Man Flu (x 2)
• Wrist injury
• Back Pain
• Migraine (4 weeks!)
• Sprained Ankle

On refelction it looks like i have spent half of the year in some sort of discomfort. What a waste!

So 2008 will have to be better!. The main cause of injurues = 5-a-side football, so that means i've obviously passed my peak & need to retire from the beautiful game! On the plus side, i've never been fitter than i am now, & my weight/diet is under stricter control than ever before!

I've had many emails from 'fans'? of the site, & it's been an inspiring pleasure reading these; I always try & respond where possible, so please keep the comments coming (Good & Bad).

The site also got a mention on a popular blog in Italy. Grazia.blog.it I tried to translate the site using the google translate service, but it made no sense to me. If anyone knows of the site, or can translate Italian into 'proper' English or indeed know of the blogger, please drop me a line!

I am getting loads of spam mail, not sure if that means i'm popular (likely), or i have been a little lazy in my filtering of such trash (unlikely)?

That reminds me:-

Saw a guy promoting his book on TV recently. It's all about his annoyance of spam emails & how he got revenge by "Spamming the Spammers" - Brilliant!. So if anyone is after a good Xmas gift idea for me this year here it is:-

Available at all good bookstores. & Amazon.com i'm told.

The 'Secret Website' Task continues to baffle all. If the truth be known, it hasn't quite worked out as expected, so plans are afoot to replace this back to a completely different task that was part of the original '40'. As alway's if you want to know where the website is email me (no Spam eh!) & i'll send you the link.

Updates on previous blog posts:-

Remember how I waffled on abouth the Wispa bar coming back to our shelves? (Wispa Blog) Well, they finally came out in October but it took me ages to finally source one locally. In November i got to taste one again having found them in a local newsagent. Brilliant. Had about ten of them since, but now i'm bored.

I had a "Top 10 Crisps" (Crisp Blog) blog where i told you all of my top 10 crisps of all time. Well i'm sad to say that No.10 in the list, the Pom Bear crisps have cheated us. Slightly.

There are less crisps in the packets now. Approx 30% less. My kids are quite upset by this. So am I.

In August's blog i mentioned Justin's site one red drawing pin & his ambition to trade up from a red drawing pin to something much more useful.
Well it seems he hasn't progressed very well. Not well at all. Done nothing. But it transpires the idea isn't that unique. Searching round the web, it seems there are quite a few similar themed sites. Looks like we're all out of unique idea's these days!

Talking of which - John Boileau, the main inspiration of the Before40 website has vanished! - He hasn't updated his thoroughly enjoyable beforethirty website for what seems a lifetime. Let's hope he's well & that we get an update soon. Email me if you know his whereabouts?

It's been a pleasure. Be safe this Xmas & see you in 2008 somewhere!

Purple Haze

With everything in my world at 100 MPH at the moment (House Move, Car change, Work projects, School Holidays etc.) it's very easy to forget what's been achieved over the past year since this whole Before 40 thing began. So let's take some time out & have a quick refresh......

Cycling/Fitness - Last September, i upgraded my 'daily' 2 mile ride to work & back to include a Sunday morning ride around my local village, approx 5 miles. I was so proud of my achievement! Each Sunday i would then cycle a little further. Then i brought a 'proper' bike. By Xmas i did my first 25 mile ride - Then completed the amazing & emotional London To Brighton Bike Ride under my target time 0f 4 hrs. 10 months on, I ride 75+ miles every week, and can manage a 100km sprint in under 4 hrs. The spare tyre round my waist has gone, belly is reducing, Bum is super toned & I've lost over 18lbs in weight & no longer use an inhaler. Generally, i feel a lot better & sharper mentally & quality of sleep has improved. Above all this I realise that cycling really is great for self esteem and motivation, it rewards the effort put in too. I have found an exercise i really enjoy.

Poo - The Colonic Hydrotherapy has help me discover that in fact i eat quite healthy after all & most of the time my Veggie poo is good poo. Even if it does stink a bit.

Eyes - As feared, i need to get glasses or lenses. Six months on from my test i still haven't sorted this. Will my sight get worse if i don't get this sorted?, or now I'm aware of the situation will i be able to strengthen my eyes & train them around the problem? We Will 'See'.

Hair - I have less of it now. Barbers are a thing of the past. Annual saving = £100 (35 pints of lager) as i simply shave it myself once a month. It feels quite liberating, I have one less routine to adhere to & I spend less time in front of the mirror = more time to watch TV/sleep/facebook etc. Most people have got used to it & the jokes have ceased.

Charity - Got a real sense of pride & achievement out of raising loadsa cash for charity on some of the tasks. Gonna make this a new feature of my life from now on, helping out others & raising cash for others more needy that me.

So - even if the task list ended now 3 years early, I feel that I've achieved so much mentally, physically & emotionally that it has all been worthwhile. That said, i don't plan to give it up & so watch this space for some more completed tasks coming soon!

Peace and love to everyone, no matter the colour of your nose!

99 Red Balloons

Come across an interesting website recently; simple, but one of those great internet type ideas.

- It may not be original, But looks like a bit of fun.

So i've added my two penny's worth, so let's see how it goes from here. (& remember where you heard it first!).

www.onereddrawingpin.com

Other news from Before 40 towers:-

• Bust my ankle playing footy. Looks like the Bristol to London ride will be a no go, but there is another 100mile ride coming up in Sot'on in September! - www.tourpourlamer.com


• Before 40 towers has been sold, & looking to relocate (After 14 years!) to a bigger place nearby (Let the stress begin!).


• Planning the next task for September - Winchester Pub Crawl.


• Weight loss task going very well.

Happy Holidays!

Do The Bartman

I have been turned into a Simpson!

Before

After

Have a go too:-

http://simpsonizeme.com/#

Careless 'Wispa'

Remember these:-
Well, Cadbury's stopped making them a few years ago (Shame on you) & replaced them with the far inferior Dairy Milk Bubble :-Well, there has been many online campaigns to "bring back the Wispa" such as these one's here:-

http://bring-back-wispa-bars.blog.co.uk/

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/bringbackthewispa/

&, I am happy to reveal that Cadbury's have bowed to public pressure!!:-

http://www.cadbury.co.uk/EN/CTB2003/information/press_releases/products/wispa/

Roll on Oct. 2007!!

Run To The Hills

Took part in the London To Brighton Bike ride last Sunday (June 17th 2007).
After 8 months & 750 miles of training, & with a final practice run of 49 miles the Saturday before it was all systems GO! The training plan was completed to perfection.
Stayed in Clapham the night before after travelling up on the train. The EuroHotel Clapham served it's purpose - Cheap (£40 B&B), good location + I was allowed to keep my bike in the room.
Woke up at 06:00hrs, fuelled up & got to the start half an hour before my due start time of 07:00hrs. Thousands allready there & waiting. I got away "Officially" at 06:50hrs & felt rather chuffed at sneaking through whilst many were still waiting around from their planned earlier 06:00 hrs / 06:30 hrs starts. The weather was perfect. Cloudy & cool.
London was all stop/start due to the roads/roundabouts/junctions. Once out of London the ride become more & more enjoyable & the views more & more scenic. I seemed to manage & maintain a respectable pace, & looked on track to beat my goal of completing it (54 miles) in under 4 hours.
Took my first break at the top of Turner's Hill. Just a couple of minutes to sort the ipod (damn earphones!), snack & refuel. Then onwards & onwards. Overtook what seemed like hundreds of people (Check: It's a ride not a race!), the hills were great fun going down (43mph the fastest - got flashed by a speed camera in the process) & not too steep going up. Except for one.
I didn't "Beat the Beacon" :-( Ditchling Beacon must be about 1 mile long & is reached at the 47 mile point. I managed to get halfway up & then had a choice: Pass out, or get off & walk. Went for the walk & was absolutely gutted. Even more so when all the Mountain bikes i had overtaken along the way seemed to have no problem getting up with their super-low gearing (Note to self: Get better gearing next time!). But hey i wasn't alone. I would estimate about 2 in 10 actually made it up cycling without stopping. Must train harder next time!
The final descent into Brighton was the best. Super fast, & the excitment knowing that if i had to, i could walk the final few miles. No such worries in the end, just a few stop starts due to the busy demands of Brighton Traffic & then one last turn into the home straight. The sun started to shine & I got very emotional as the crowds lining the finish cheered & clapped. Holding back the tears i crossed the line in a very impressive 3hrs 41 mins (even if i say so myself - the "average" person completes the course in 7 hours - getting away early certainly avoids the congestion).
Recevied my medal, downed loads of water, got changed, had a smoothie & then cycled to Hove for my lift home!
A great Fathers day was topped off by a visit to the Chichester Pizza Hut. & stuffed myself silly to regain all those burned calories (1062) & fat (138g).
Managed to drag myself into work the next day, not too sore but just a bit physically drained.
1 week off the bike to recharge & then it's time to up the training regime ready for the Bristol to London ride on Sunday 26th August. 100 Miles.

Two Pints of Lager & A Packet of Crisps please

Crisps - The best food invention ever bar none. I love crisps. I am a crispoholic. A typical Crispoholic eats upto 6 packs (1 multipack) in one sitting. My record is 12 packs in one day (& you wonder why i need to lose some weight?!)
In homage to my crisp fascination i have compiled here a list of my top 10 crisps of all time. Nothing more to say except please feel free to comment on your favourite crisp snack. No apologies for the amount of "Cheesy" type flavours! (Maybe a Cheeseoholics top 10 cheese list soon?)

-------------------------------------------------

1. - Marmite Crisps - Walkers got it spot on when they relaunched this popular crisp. After many years of doom & gloom, crispoholics everywhere rejoyced when supermarkets started re-stocking this ulitmate crisp flavour snack. Marmite - "You'll ever love it or hate it" as the advert says. I love it and for me this is THE ultimate bags of crisps. If only they would stock them in Waitrose or Somerfield too!

2. - Cheese & Onion Ringo's - A Childhood favourite, this "Low Calorie!" snack also disappeared from shelves for a while, but was welcomed back in the late 90's. Great shape & texture & a real oniony taste. A real plus was that Ringo's then & now always cost less than a normal pack of crisps. How great is that! The low calorie factor also meant you could eat twice as many! Unfortuately, Golden Wonder never launched the multipack version second time around. Shame.

3. - Cheese & Onion Disco's - Yet another childhood favourite that seemed to disappear from the shelves from the late 80's to late 90's. A real crisp crunch was the added bonus of the Disco crisp sensation, along with the perfect cheese & onion taste. I seem to recall some real tacky adverts that were used to promote these crisps in the early 80's. (Must look out for those on YouTube).

4. - B.B.Q. Beef Hula Hoops - A strange choice for a vegetarian you might think, but thanks to MSG & flavourings there is not one ounce of beef in these hoops. My earliest memory of these crisps was aged 9, & with a fasciantion with all things hula hoop so great i wrote a letter to KP expressing my complete & utter happiness in this new flavoured Hula Hoop. The result? - KP wrote back enclosing loads & loads of vouchers for free bags of the same! - Heaven!

5. - McCoy's Cheddar & Onion - WARNING! - These crisps make you fat! - This packet of crisps has the highest calorie & fat content on this list, but who cares when they taste so good!. This is not helped by the fact that there always seems to be an offer on at the supermarket for these crisps! - either 'Buy One Get One Free' Multipack or '12 for the price of 6' multipack. So faced with that choice, you're always going to select these at your shopping trip "Crisp Choice" time. The ultimate cheese & onion crisp in my opinion.
6. - Walkers Max Paprika - First got into the Paprika thing via the launch of Paprika flavoured Pringles. I'd never eaten Paprika knowingly until that point. So the 'Safe Spice' taste of Paprika married with my fascination of all things 'ridged' makes this crisp the perfect answer when in need of a crisp spice sensation. Quite hard to find these on the shelves nowadays, but fortunately there are many other alternative Paprika options.

7. - Salt & Vinegar Twirls -Available at petrol stations everywhere, this twirly snack became a favouite of mine during my years in sales when i would refuel my 'rep car' on a weekly basis. Great value snack (Almost twice the quantity of crisps for same price as a standard bag), low calorie & a great vinegary taste.
Also available in this value range from Redwood are "Onion Rings" - omitted from this list due to strength of other brands crisps.

8. - Cheese & Onion Square Crisps - I guess the novelty factor of being 'Square' as opposed to standard potato shape made these crisps a success. In my mind the bag & it's content always seemed small, so for me one bag was never enough. Still, these are available in Multipacks, so not really a problem.
A great crunchy crisp, old favourite & more cheesy than oniony. The ready salted version of these were my mum's favouite crisp of all time.

9. - Cheesy Wotsits - A kids favourite, and no doubt a favourite for chesse lovers everywhere. It's the crisp we all grew up with, & is like an old reliable friend. Probably one of the most famous crisps alongside standard ready salted, cheese & onion & salt & Vinegar potato crisps. Again, very light on the stomach so more than one bag is never enough. Fun thing you can to do with Wotsits? - combine them with Hula Hoops! feeding the wotsit through the hole in the Hula Hoop - Crisp Heaven!
10 - Cheese Quavers - Always popular & always on special offer in supermarkets. A good value, nice reliable cheesey snack that never fails to satisfy cheese desires. Very low calorie, & light. For me that means that 3 packets of quavers equates to a normal crisp fix. Fun alternative to crunching is to let the quaver dissolve in your mouth. Walkers experimented with alternative flavours for a while but nothing ever exceeded the original & best.
And For the Children of the new generation?

Pom Bear Crisps - Great light & fluffy snack that i steal from my children all the tme. Ready Salted is probably the most healthy option, but look out for the rare Tomato Ketchup version also. They also come in a "Grab" bag size which is brilliant for parents! - There is also multipacks of all varities. One for the future!

Waiting for a train

Just over a month to go until the London to Brighton Bike Ride 2007, & as i seem to get regular requests on training, preparation, sponsorship, well wishes etc. for the big day i thought i'd try & answer most questions here via my blog.
So to summarise, i am rider 09995 out of 27,000. The big day is Sunday 17th June.
I have been 'Fortunate' in getting a 07:00 hrs start. I say fortunate as from reading reviews of previous years events if you start any later than 08:00 hrs, the time it takes to complete the course can double due to crowding & accidents. So if all goes to plan i should be able to get away 1 hour after the official start time.
Training
Training for the day has been going well. It all began back in October 2006 when i bought a new racing bike more suitable for the occasion. Now I have nothing against mountain bikes, but let's face it, they're designed for going down mountains; not 54 miles of tarmac on a hot summer's day. So my first tip would be - get a decent road bike! (Try ebay for a good second hand bargain).
What a difference it made. From struggling to manage 5 miles round the local town on my old Mountain bike i breeezed through 10 miles on my first attempt. This inspired me to go further each time until i found a great route totalling 25 miles that i have stuck to each weekend. I stick to this route for two reasons -
1. Safety (All left hand turns, quiet roads).
2. So that i can track & compare times to see improvement in fitness.
I have managed to get round this route in 1 hr 30, knocking 17 minutes off the time of my first attempt 5 months earlier. Great thing about the route is the amount of steep hills. Good practice for Ditchling Beacon, the nasty 1 mile steep hill just before the end of the ride.
As of May 2007, I have now extended this route to 30 miles, on my quest to get fitter & go faster!.
- See the route here on: Google Maps
I try also now to do two cycle training runs in a week, totaling 55 miles. Damn hard work but i am sensing a real benefit now to fitness & health levels & reduction of my beloved beer belly (lost a stone in weight since Christmas). On top of this i play five-a-side footy once a week just to top up the stamina levels.
So to summarise, tip two = practice at least twice a week, doubling your route at weekends when you are likely to have more time available. Also try to eat sensibly from now (less weight = more speed!), and cut down on the booze (it dehydrates you). All easier to write here than to actually carry out me thinks.
Preparation (i.e. non training)
So what other things do you need to remember?
Well, if you haven't actually applied to take part for the 2007 event, it's probably too late. (Check Here to check on the BHF website). You may be able to buy an entry on ebay?
Bike Service - Make sure your bike is in good health. Your local bike shop should be able to give it a good service under £20.00.
What to take? - Assuming it's going to be a warm hot day, remember sun block, Safety helmet, Shorts, fluids, energy bars, iPod, camera, phone & cash (just in case!). A spare inner-tube & pump is recommended, but i understand there are plenty of repair points around the course. If you havn't trained much, go to Asda or Halfords & buy a Gel saddle / saddle cover to stop your botty getting too sore!
How to get there? - tricky one this. If you live in London, you're sorted. Outside of London things are tricky. On the day, local trains will not allow cycles on board. The organisers lay on lorries to take you & your bike back to the start line at Clapham (if you drive to Brighton for you car to be there for you at the finish).
Me? - well, due to the early start i had a logistical nightmare to plan this one.
However, I have been fortunate enough to secure a room close to the start line at Clapham Common for £40.00 B&B (Not sure if i'll take the breaky in though). So my bike & i will take the train to Waterloo the day before, and as a bonus i won't need to wake any earlier than probably 06:00hrs.
My partner will then drive to Brighton on the day to meet some friends, & all being well pick me up at lunchtime & drive me home!.

On The Day
Drink lots of water (& eat sensibly the night before - Pasta is good apparently).
& above all cycle safely & really just enjoy it!
- I have set myself a target time of 4 hours. I am taking it seriously. Others, (rightly so) make it a fun day & take upto 9 hours! It's for Charity after all!!!!
Keep checking back here as i am going to post some links to other people's blogs with stories of previous years ride's.
If you would like to sponsor me, or check how my sponsorship total is progressing, click HERE

Other than that, i am looking to do the Action 100 mile London To Bristol bike ride in August!!!!

American Idiot

Someone sent me this great email re: Google maps:-

Go to google maps & click on the "Get Directions" Link.

Enter the directions 'From' NEW YORK & 'To' PARIS in the search box:-

Press "GET DIRECTIONS" & scroll done to LINE 24 of the "Directions".

The Result?

"Swim across the Atlantic Ocean" = 3,462 minutes

Try it? (the link silly, as swimming or driving across the Atlantic ocean is not recommended).

DISCLAIMER - No responsibility can be taken by Before40 if you are mad enough to attempt to swim the Atlantic ocean on the back of this blog, let alone in 3,462 minutes (57.7 hrs, 2.4 days). If you do manage it however, let me know & i will gve you a mention on this blog.

Unfinished Sympathy

7 weeks on from what i thought was a cold, & here i sit, still suffering from laryngitis. A sore throat that won't go away. The doctor has now prescribed penicillin, but still no better.
On the plus side, i am back in training for the London To Brighton Bike Ride after a six week break due to the illness, so i guess i'm on the mend.
Due to the illness i have delayed the back wax task & the colonic irrigation task, but will try & get these done by early May. Then it's time to 'up' the cycling to get fit for the "L2B 2007". The plan is to put in at least 50 miles each week, up from the current 25. (Think of the London To Brighton bike ride as the "London Marathon" for cyclists!!).
5-a-side footy has begun again as well on a Monday. I hope that the illness, cycling & footy combined will kick in the "Loose some weight" task.
Other things going on in "Before40" land:-
A reply from TGI Fridays re: my Disaster visit to their Fareham Resturant. (Will post it here soon).
Over 200 "Friends" now on the Before 40 MySpace site.
Mmmm

Fat Bottomed Girls

Great News! - My Entry for the 2007 London To Brighton Bike Ride is confirmed!
(Bit of an early start, but that should mean less traffic!).
- Click HERE to Sponsor Me!
On a more serious note, i am now into my forth week of Laryngitis which has therefore meant no exercise/cycle training for four weeks. Assuming a recovery is imminenet i would hope to resume training & up the ante for a midweek training ride of say 10-15 miles.
Other benefit of this nasty illness is weight loss! 7lbs so far.

Tell Me Why?

Sometimes, things should just be left alone.