Meet XLCharityRider Lee Wray

So far we've met three of the XLCharityRiders… but lest we forget there are two more that make up this team of intrepid adventurers. Number four is the 35 year old Lee Wray. Weighing in at 14 stone 9lbs and standing tall at 5ft 9 inches, Wray is one of the lighter XL's but is still eager to take part. For him, embarking on such a physical challenge is a long time ambition. Having sadly lost his father to Cancer, Lee has realised that life is for living and being fit and healthy is of vital importance. Being able to take part in the C2C challenge for such a worthy local organisation as NORSACA is great motivation for him and being a positive role model for his two boys Thomas and Benjamin stands as the icing on the cake. Although it's been two years since Lee was last on a bike I'm sure he'll do well… having two young children means you're not afraid of a challenge, and if he can keep up with them the C2C challenge should be a no problem!!

Training is well and truly underway for the XLCharityRiders; with Dave promising to attend a pilates class this Tuesday and Richard giving his 'rollers' a good battering in front of the television. But lest we forget there are three more XLCharityRiders that make up this team of intrepid fundraisers. So this week I am looking to the third of of the XL's… Sean Bailey. Sean is 53 years old, married with two grown up daughters and two grandkids. He can wiggle his ears and has a Japanese brother. Sean's motivation for the bike ride isn't the pursuit of the feel good factor of doing something for charity (although he does admit that's a bonus) rather, it's the fact that he's been bullied into it by Dave. A thing I can believe, since Dave can nag so hard, he can give your bottom a headache!!! Having said this, Sean admits that Dave's nagging started a ripple effect as he consequently decided to coerce his ex-army friend; the elusive Chunky Doyle into volunteering for the ride. If I was a gambling gal, I'd be willing to bet that Sean will do well at this, since he's owned a TREK 73 for a couple of years and frequently rides it to work and back, which he estimates is about 10 miles each way. Sean is also used to pain as he is a long suffering Forest Fan… so any bum twinges should be a breeze!!! I'm just wondering if a bit of ear wiggling might help with his aerodynamics. You never know!!!

Meet Richard Daniels... the definitive XLCharityRider

After witnessing various meals of badness eaten by XLCharityRider David Harding; I was interested to see how the others were faring in their training programme…. particularly as it has been snowy and V V VILE out there. So it was with high hopes that I looked to Richard Daniels. Having started his training programme the week preceding the vicious weather conditions, I was pleased to see that he had adorned his winter woollies and kept up the momentum nevertheless. In fact in anticipation of the cold weather conditions he'd even been and bought some 'rollers' so that he could sit on his bike when the weather got REALLY bad and at least get some practice miles in comfort of his own home. At 19 stone, Richard classes himself as the definitive XLCharityRider and is clearly determined to keep going whatever obstacles are thrown at him. Combining regular training with a low calorie diet (Dave pay attention!!!) Richard aims to crack the ten mile mark by the end of February. A point I shall be questioning him on come Leap Year Day!! However I have no doubt he'll achieve his goal. If the thought of me harassing him for results isn't enough to motivate him then the sponsorship offers he's already obtained for NORSACA should do the trick. Although Richard does appear to be dedicated to his training, with it taking up the vast majority of his time, he confesses he may occasionally become distracted by the occasional Forest game. Maybe he could cycle from his house to the matches!!! Just a thought Richard!!!!

Hello!

Welcome to the XLCharityriders blog.

The XLCharityriders are a group of 5 men training for a coast to coast bike ride in aid of raising money for local charity Norsaca. Supporting them all the way is me, local freelance writer Trinderella, who will quiz and question them within an inch of their lives. There will be no secrets, nowhere to hide and FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION.

The Story so far…

In late 2011 a 48 years old middle aged man named Dave visited the doctors for a check-up. Whilst there, a young nurse asked him to step on the scales, which Dave (uncharacteristically for him) complied with. As the numbers rolled up to show a 106kg reading, the nurse gave a judgemental grimace, leaving Dave to ask a question which showed his age: "What's that in paper money?"

The nurse whipped out a pointer and on a rather scary BMI chart showed Dave that at 5ft 10inches tall and 106kg (or 16 stone 9 lbs) he was categorised as obese.  Dave was astonished (to put it politely) and immediately started to think of ways to rectify the matter.

Not quite grasping the concept of getting healthy, Dave talked the matter over a beer with the guys who are now the rest of the XLCharityriders:

Sean Bailey

Mark Beldham

Richard Daniels

Lee Wray

… and someone whom Dave only knows as Chunky, but who he assures me is one of his bessies!

As the beer flowed, a number of options were discussed.  It was finally agreed to do the coast to coast bike ride in just 3 days, during the month of September. 

A few days later, I ran into Dave for a cheeky brew and a biscuit (the health kick still isn't really going well) and as we supped the aforementioned brew, Dave told me of his plans and showed me his belly. TRUE STORY! I offered to take him to my spin class, an offer which he didn’t seemed too enthralled with. To quote him, "I'd rather shove my head down the toilet!"

I took that as a no.

Knowing Dave likes a challenge, I asked a question which I knew would put him under the pressure.  "Are you doing it for a charity?"

It was a question that he hadn't really considered, and one which he felt deserved another debate with the XLs over a beer. The conclusion of this debate resulted in them deciding to raise money for NORSACA for use at Sutherland House. This is a local charitable organisation, who provide specialist education and support for children with autism under the title of Sutherland Children and Young People's Services. The reasoning behind this choice was that Dave had worked with them and my good friend worked there. Also, because it was a local organisation, any monies raised would have a great impact. 

In order to raise the profile of this endeavour (and to put the XLs under pressure) I have offered to keep an online blog of their progress. Over the next few months I will be publishing unedited profiles of the XLs which will detail their ages, weights and physical states. If they cheat, fail to keep up with the training, or get found in a local curry house, they WILL be exposed.

Keep your eyes open over the next few days for the profiles of the rest of the XLs!!!

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