Save the date - 24-26 May 2012

Here's the next C2C for BackUp challenge, get it in your diary.
More details to follow soon.

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/national-cycle-network/long-distance-rides/england/devon-coast-to-coast

Follow the C2C Route

Ability triumphs on the Coast to Coast (C2C) Cycle Ride

Inspiring achievement

So proud to have such amazing friends, new and old who made possible the Coast to Coast - The Hard Way Across. What an incredibly motivating experience.

Thanks to all the wonderfully generous supporters who have donated to help us towards our target.

A massive thank you to all the drivers, nurses, motivators, mechanics, bag carriers, food and drink stop helpers, traffic directors, photographers, pushers and pullers for displaying such an awe inspiring demonstration of genuine teamwork. You know who you are and you are all very very special people.

A big pat on the back to all the riders who dug deep to find extra Will Power to meet the challenge of riding into the strong prevailing wind Coast to Coast – the wrong way The Hard Way Across.

Delighted to see so many people ‘enjoying’ the C2C challenge. “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” T.S Eliot

As pain is weakness leaving the body I trust that everyone feels stronger for the experience and will continue to support Back-Up, transforming lives after spinal cord injury.

We are now so close to hitting our target please encourage everyone you know to sponsor us: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/C2C4BackUp

C2C Ride for Back-Up: 14th May

C2C Ride for Back-Up: 13th May (pm)

C2C Ride for Back-Up: 13th May (am)

C2C Ride for Back-Up: 12th May (pm)

C2C Ride for Back-Up: 12th May (am)

コースト・ツー・コースト

2011年5月12日に、私たち50人は自転車で冒険旅に挑みます。 

自ら設計した　コースト・ツー・コースト　となる　サイクリングルートは200キロに及び、私たちはニューカースルの近くでタインマウスから始めます。Penninesと湖水地方を通過したあと5月14日に最終目的地のホワイトヘブンに到着する予定です。

私たちの目的は Back-Upと呼ばれるチャリティーへの寄付金を工面することです。

Back Up  は 空想的な屋外スポーツ活動プログラム、メンタリング、および車椅子技能コースを通し脊髄の怪我を覆っている人たちの独立と自信の向上の支援をしています。

是非応援をよろしくお願いします。

サイクルイベントのブログを参照されたい方は、ここをクリックしてください:

www.getbackout.co.uk

寄付をされたい方は、ここをクリックしてください:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/C2C4BackUp

チャリティーのホームページを参照されたい方は、ここをクリックしてください:

http://www.backuptrust.org.uk/

The Back-Up Trust - Matt's Story

Norco bikes have arrived from Fisher Outdoor Leisure

Two still in the box Norco hybrid bikes have been delivered to C2C HQ this morning.

A huge thanks for Steve Cromwell at Fisher Outdoor Leisure for donating these magnificent bikes.

To read a review on this bike click here:
http://static.bikeradar.com/Road/gear/category/bikes/urban/product/indie-2-10-44486/

For more information on the Norco Scene SS click here:
http://norco.com/archives/2010/?id=scene-ss

Both these bikes are for sale raising funds for Coast to Coast Cycle Ride - Supporting Back-Up. Open to offers!

Thanks again to:

Back-Up Ski Trip 2011 Video - Winter Park

This ski course at the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park, Colorado is just one of the numerous courses on offer from Back Up. Its a great example of a Back Up course and the reason we're fundraising with the Coast to Coast Cycle Ride.

Back Up has been running residential courses for 25 years, offering people the opportunity to get “back up and out there” following a spinal cord injury. All the courses aim to increase confidence, motivation and independence in a supportive environment. Back Up courses are for people of all ages, backgrounds and all levels of injury.

If you want to make changes in your life, whether by meeting new people, learning new skills, adopting a different lifestyle, or developing a more positive outlook about the future, then Back-Up has a course to suit you.

Thanks to Sophie Morgan for the video:

Which course is right for you?
All our courses provide the perfect introduction to managing away from home, and boosting your confidence. Many of the courses offer the chance to develop your wheelchair skills in a challenging environment. The type of course you are interested in will depend on what you are hoping to achieve. Our programme includes water skiing, scuba diving, skiing, and multi-activity. But there is plenty on offer for the less sporty amongst us too. Our City Challenge course in Edinburgh combines cultural and social activities with the chance to improve your wheelchair skills and use public transport in one of the most beautiful but inaccessible cities in the UK, while Back Up to Work is for you if you are considering your employment options. Look out too for the new Wheelchair Skills Plus course coming in 2011, designed to help you develop skills to be more independent and confident in day to day life. Our popular drama course will be returning in 2012.

Give us a call
....to chat through the options – we can support you to work out which course might suit you best. Course places are limited, so we do give priority to people who haven’t been on a course before, or who have the most potential to benefit.  If you are applying for another course with us, please give us a call to discuss what you are hoping to achieve.

• 100% of respondents from 2010 courses would recommend Back Up to a friend
• 100% of course participants achieved their personal aims in 2010

We do ask participants to make a financial contribution towards the cost of their course space if possible. Please give us a call to chat about this: we never turn anyone away from a course due to lack of funds.

Download an application form here (spinal cord injured participants).

Click here if you are interested in volunteering on a Back Up course.

For further information email the team or give them a call on 020 8875 1805

Congratulations to Bret - an eventful completion of the London Marathon

C2C Cyclist Bret Crossley finished the London Marathon yesterday: 

"I completed the London Marathon yesterday but it was very eventful! Firstly I nearly missed the start as had problem with my chair. Then straight after the start the chair started bearing left all the time which I had to put up with throughout and was a total bind. The other problem I'd had before the start was also not completely sorted and was slowing the chair down.

Had to stop at halfway as I was burning up in my black top so took it off and did the rest topless and have a very red back as a result! Then got a puncture 5 miles from home which slowed me up dramatically and made the chair veer to the left even more. The wheel then came loose and I watched as the axle bolt slowly unwinded as I progressed. The wheel started rubbing on the chair and the resistance from it grew. With 3 miles to go I was going at about 3 miles an hour. There was a long gradual climb along the embankment which seems to take forever to get up and was torturous. With just over a mile to go the chair stopped and wouldn't budge, the wheel close to coming off. I needed an allen key to tighten it back up. 

As I waited a member of the crowd gave me a cereal bar which was gratefully received! Nobody had one but then a helper used a normal key and it was tightened up and I was off again, except I wasn't really. It turned out the wheel bearings had seized due to the wheel wobbling about so much. The chair would move but it felt like I was dragging some heavy bags of coal behind me. 

Still I wasn't gonna quit, even if it had taken me all day to get to the finish, I'd got that far. I could only work in short bursts getting me at best 50 yards at a time as I was completely exhausted. But the crowds were absolutely brilliant and I got so much encouragement from other runners I did get to the finish, eventually! It was by a very long way the most gruelling physical punishment I've ever had to go through but I've got my finisher's medal and some great memories that will last me a lifetime! 

(There, take that pissing wheelchair, Bret wins!!) :D"

Help Bret reach his London Marathon fundraising target for Aspire - supporting people with spinal cord injury.

http://www.justgiving.com/Bret-Crossley-2011

Thanks to Iain Mcmillan at The Health Insurance Group

Huge thanks to Iain Mcmillan for a very generous £500 donation to C2C rider Mark Masiak.

The Health Insurance Group is an independent Private Medical Insurance intermediary and is owned by the AXA UK group of insurance businesses.

The Health Insurance Group (THIG) has a wealth of experience in Private Medical Insurance (PMI), with over 30,000 clients in the UK and over £75m annual premium under management. Because of this we are well placed to look after our client’s health insurance requirements.

http://www.healthinsurancegroup.co.uk

0800 389 7723

Thanks to Giles Barringham - Donation of a Fully Computerised Sewing Machine to raise funds for Back-Up

Thanks to Giles Barringham and Silver Viscount for his donation a Silver Viscount 1050 Fully Computerised Sewing machine.

 

Bret Crossley joins the Coast to Coast Cycle to thank Back-Up for their support

In September 2006 my life was turned upside-down when I had a serious motorcycle racing accident that I was lucky to survive. My injuries were numerous, the worst of which was a spinal cord injury that has rendered me wheelchair dependant for life. My recovery period was lengthy and complicated and after 10 months in hospital I was back out into a now very different world. I was at a loss and to what to do with myself.

Whilst in hospital I'd been introduced to Back-Up who came to provide wheelchair skills training sessions which were very useful. After my discharge I was contacted by them offering me place on one of their courses designed to inspire, increase confidence and independance. Unfortunately I felt unable to do so as I was still recovering from a badly broken lower leg. In July 2009 however I was able to take part one of their multi-activity courses in Keswick, which included kayaking, sailing, absailing and team games.

I'll stop short of saying it was life changing but it made me realise there was so much I was still capable of doing. Instead of thinking about what I couldn't do anymore I started concentrating on what I could do and might be able to do if I tried! I started wheelchair racing, hand-cycling and wheelchair basketball.

In March 2010 I also went sit-skiing with Back-Up in Colorado which was fantastic!

As Back-Up had done so much for me I wanted to give them something back so I took on the Great North Run last September raising money for them which was a great success.

As well as taking part in the London Marathon on April 17th I'm really looking forward to the challenge of the Coast-to-Coast cycle and hoping to raise more money for Back-Up in the process. I hope you can help by sponsoring us as your donation makes such a massive difference.

Fantastic donation for the C2C from Costco Wholesale

Huge thanks to the team at Costco Wholesale for their donation of a JVC HD Everio Camcorder:

Click the image to see product details.

Back Up Ski Course - Winter Park, Colorado

I've just returned from taking part as a self funded volunteer on a Back-Up ski course in Winter Park, Colorado.

Being part of the ski course at the US's National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD) was an awe-inspiring priviledge. I was part of a team supporting 10 people living with spinal cord injury (SCI) to 'get back out' there following injury. Each year, thousands of children and adults with disabilities take to the ski slopes at NSCD learn more about sports - and themselves.

The course was one of many run by Back Up aimed at motivating and enabling people with SCI to feel more positive about their future and achieve personal goals.












 
Please help us in our fundraising target, aiming to raise £10,000 to help Back-Up run such courses again for others:
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/C2C4BackUp

Back Up Ski Course - Winter Park 2011

Tomorrow I'm off, as a self funding volunteer, on a Back Up Winter Ski Course to the National Centre for the Disabled (NSCD) in Winter Park, Colorado.

As a buddy I'll be helping to supporting 10 people living with spinal cord injury (SCI) to 'get back out' there following injury.

This video was made by the team on the 2008 Back Up Course to Winter Park.

This course is one of many run by Back Up aimed at motivating and enabling people with SCI to feel more positive about their future and achieve personal goals.

Caroline in Winter Park

 

Back Up receives no Government funding and relies on the generosity of its supporters as a vital source of income. Without your generous support, we would find it increasingly difficult to provide vital services such as wheelchair skills, rehabilitative activity courses, mentoring and signposting to people affected by spinal cord injury throughout the United Kingdom.

Back Up rely on income from major events, corporate support, trusts and foundations, community fundraising and individual giving.

• £25 donation enables one spinal cord injured participant to attend a wheelchair skills course in a spinal unit, which improves his or her confidence and independence.

• £60 will contribute towards enabling one mentee to meet up with their mentor to do an activity together, such as bowling, which will help the mentee gain confidence in the future.

• £120 will cover the costs for one participant to undergo a day of activities on the multi-activity taster weekend.

 Can you help?

Thanks to Alton Towers Resort

What a great raffle prize for someone to win, escape to the fabulous Alton Towers resort!

Thanks to Andrew Heath and his team for donating an escape for FOUR to the fantabulous world of the Alton Towers Resort - there's so much going on, the fun never stops! The Theme Park is open for the main season between 26 March - 6 November 2011. You can also splash yourself silly in the wacky Waterpark, be pampered from head to toe in the Spa, and play a round of Extraordinary Golf. There's entertainment for the whole family with Sharkbait Reef by SEA LIFE and Cloud Cuckoo Land. And explore the unknown and experience the unexpected in search of what lies within… TH13TEEN.

Thanks to Motorbase Performance - A day out at British Touring Cars & Porsche Carrera Cup GB Race at Rockingham,18th September

Thanks to Zach Rigby for donating a day out for two at the Rockingham Circuit on 18th September at the British Touring Cars & Porsche Carrera Cup GB Race. Enjoy a day at Rockingham with Motorbased Performance & Airwaves Racing, the reigning Porsche Carrera Cup champions.

The luck winner will be given a pit tour, able to watch the race from the pit, meet the drivers and mechanics, be on the grid for the start and enjoy a sit down hospitality luncheon. This is a great chance to get up close and personal to motorsport.

The winners will also get to see the 2011 Motorbase Performance Team breaking new ground by running Ford Focuses in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship.
 

For more information on the 2010 Champions as the defend their title in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB click here:
http://www.motorbaseperformance.co.uk/

How Back-Up makes a difference for me, by C2C cyclist Dan Edwards

Hey Everyone,

My name is Dan and I'll be taking part in a 140 mile coast to coast cycle (C2C), for an amazing charity called Back-Up (BU), and they need our help! I am very passionate about this charity as they have helped, and still are helping me come to terms with my injury. 

In June 2009 my life was turned upside down after a motorbike accident which left me paralyzed from the ribs down, I was only 21 years old. After this I spent a long time on bed rest in hospital and as you can imagine, that gave me a lot of time to think. To think about what the future held for me and getting my head round my new life in a wheelchair.

While in hospital I was introduced to a mentor from BU by my family after they attended a relatives day. Since then BU have followed me, answered my questions and introduced me to the wider network of BU, where I've met some fantastic and inspiring people. BU have helped me personally by inviting me to confidence building workshops, multi activity courses, wheelchair skills sessions and just by being on the other end of the phone when I needed them, whether it be holiday advice or setting up my wheelchair etc.

Last year I went on a multi activity course in Keswick, Cumbria. It was by far the best week I've ever had! The people I met on the course were amazing and it is definitely a memory that will last a life time.... 

Following this I travelled to Egypt with Barry West (who works for BU) and a few others, I even completed my PADI Open Water scuba diving course. Something I never thought would be possible.

Thanks to BU I now know I can achieve anything despite my disability and believe the sky is no limit!!

Back-Up are not government funded and need our kind donations to continue changing the lives of spinally injured people like myself!

I'm looking forward to riding the Coast to Coast in May with my girlfriend Sarah Hunter along with friends James Dixon, Matt Boyce and Fran Hillier.

All donations are greatly appreciated - large or small, they all add up!! :-)

Dan

To donate online visit:
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/C2C4BackUp

News - Local News: Towcester and the villages in NN12 (NN12)

News - Local News: Towcester and the villages in NN12 (NN12)

C2C Places2Stay promote the C2C Cycle Ride for Back-Up

http://www.c2cplaces2stay.co.uk/

C2C Places2Stay is the ultimate guide for those undertaking the challenge of the Coast to Coast cycle route. It provides detailed information on accommodation, pubs, restaurants, shops and useful advice on how to make your C2C crossing easier to plan and enjoy.

Please mention C2C Places2Stay when using any of the businesses listed on the site.

They've even given us an ad on their homepage:

Rochale team makes the local press supporting Back-Up