Thursday, January 29, 2009

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!see a grown man cry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tonight I visited Cholmondeley (chumley) children’s home. I took a night off training. Justine took me over and I met with Mike Field (Eric hunter was there too). Mike sat us down and began to explain in a nut shell, the care given and a little about the kids in general. There are about 20 kids that come and go from time to time (respite care) and about 7 kids that are there, that will NEVER go back home again. There are many different stories and I couldn’t help but feel for every kid there. One way or another each kid has a story that makes the Cholmondeley story even more tremendous. I won’t use names, but Mike gave us some examples of the kid’s stories, from single moms with 6 kids that simple need some time off, to the tear jerking story that gave me goose bumps.... imagine this (but it's bloody real) a 6 year old blonde hair, blue eyed girl. 6 (yes six) years old. Taken into care, she had cigarette burns all over her arms, legs and body. Possibly abused in many different ways. Mike said he would introduce us to her. He left the room and led in this gorgeous little girl. Shy at first, he said to her to remember our names and to show us around the children’s “HOME”. Mike was crouching down beside her, I almost burst into tears. This little girl, shy and adorable had been totally and utterly used and abused, in ways that you cannot simply imagine. I felt tears welling up in my eyes and I had goose bumps on my arms.

This is not a story, it's not a TV programme, not an article in the paper. It’s REAL. She was right there in front of me, breathing, real and I just felt like saying “F$%K that’s just so unfair”. So if you ask yourself, why is Scotty doing this, or can I afford it, or how would my money help, even if your just thinking, “I get around to it”... then just imagine her standing in front of you now! A real little girl, blond hair, blue eyes. Abused with burns on her body. What would you give to help her? There are hundreds of stories like this. The 3 cups of coffee you give up for this, (30 if you can) will literally change lives.

Mike showed us the “clothing room”. A room filled with donated kids clothes. Most kids who arrive only have the clothes on their backs. When the kids leave they leave with clothes from that room. They may even leave with a tooth brush (many kids have no idea how to brush their own teeth!!!!!!!!!!). The one thing missing there is shoes. The kids need shoes! So in the next few weeks we will be embarking on the biggest 3-12year old shoe donation NZ has ever seen. We will be asking “everyone” that has kids, or friends with kids to give up ANY unwanted shoes and to drop these off at a few locations around ChCh, or we will even go pick them up.
Yesterday, I was doing a ride for the kids at Cholmondeley, now I'm doing for the kids I MET a Cholmondeley! So I am riding a thousand K’s! Big deal, you would ride 2000kms if you had the chance to visit this home.

Mike, you and the staff are amazing. How you do it, I have no idea. Possibly an almost thankless job at times... but mate, do me the favour of thanking EVERYONE there for me. In the short time I was there I was deeply touched. No one I know, who took the time to visit you and the kids there, would feel any different than I do.

Kids, I promise I’ll do everything I can to make this work for you!

www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/scottybrown
DONATE NOW! Please! And if you’re not touched, then I challenge you to come with me in 2 weeks, to see mike and the kid’s. That’s an official invite!



:)

Sunday, January 25, 2009

.........STINKY POSSUM!

Have you noticed (on the second climb from the bottom of dyers) that half way up there is a dead, dried out possum and it STINKS! I got a bit smarter today and remembered to hold my breath... someone move it! Ha Ha

Another bloody gorgeous summers day here in Christchurch! Went out today and did short bays, then across the summit, then did the bays again, 83kms of pretty slow, sore legged hills! Yuk. Despite being passed a few times, given the 323k yesterday, I think I did pretty good! Getting a pretty hefty tan line!

Have a great training week and make sure you tell all your friends about the donation site!

www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/scottybrown

.......LONG BAYS .....4 TIMES?

Well it was a pretty good week of training. My training week starts on a Sunday, so from my ride to Blenheim till Saturday I did short bays a few times, halswell-sumner, summit road. Had a terrible ride Saturday morning across the summit, so was a bit worried about my big Sunday ride.

A few weeks back I was talking to Scotty Wilder. Scott is bit of a tough man when it comes to rides and he was telling me that he had ridden the long bays 4 times. This was about 8 weeks ago, about the same time I started training. I just thought he was insane, long bays 4 times. Now, most of us have ridden the long bays. It's an iconic ride and the long bays race is a legendary event on the cycling calendar. I said to him, last week “I'm going to do long bays 5 times”. He pretty much said it couldn’t be done! Don’t tell me it can’t be done pal!
I headed off at 5:30am. I had EVERY intention to ride until it was done. Along the way (before it got really hot) I had an amazing amount of people ride past and chat for a minute. Thanks to all of you for the kind words. This charity ride is making people feel like they can get behind something really special. At the end of the second lap I had lunch in Sumner with Yvette and hung out at COFFEE CULTURE. Ski was there of coarse filling my up with coffee for the next 3 laps. It was now noon and the heat was insane. The 3rd lap was really hard mentally. You’re riding along saying to yourself, why am I doing this again? I wanted to do this ride for JUST that reason. When you ride out of town, you have no choice but to get to the end. Riding close to home, you have to be mentally tough and tell yourself not to just turn off and go home! I was climbing ok and the legs weren’t hurting too much. The heat was insane. I felt like my insides were getting cooked. It was pretty lonely on the 3rd as there was no one out riding. I broke a spoke on my GOLD SHAMAL wheels. I waited on the side of the road for Aidan and Amanda to drop a wheel off to me! Thanks guys! Climbing up Evens Pass the 3rd time I felt really tired. Luckily the NE winds were helping my ride out to the Gebbies turn off. But on the 4th lap of my least favourite piece of road, it's fair to say I blew. I went up Gebbies pretty slow. The little hard hills around near Governers bay just took everything out of the pins. Riding up evens for the last time I simply said “that’s it” and decided to call it a day. I was totally broken, raw and sore and there was NOTHING left in the tank. Now, I could have kept going, I would have got to Gebbies again for sure, but I think I would have thrown my bike and given up cycling.

4 laps of long bays, 323km from door to door. That’s further than my ride to Blenheim last weekend. I can pretty much say that that is the hardest ride I have done. The hills just smash ya legs. I was so pissed off with myself. I wanted so bad to do 5 laps and get close to the 400k mark, but I guess the tank was so empty, I should be pleased.
Will go out tomorrow for a wee ride. It's fair to say the old butt is a bit sore, so the ride will depend on the butt, not the pins.

Have an amazing week. Thanks SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOo much for all the support.



Keep donating and telling everyone. Dont let anyone miss out on the excitement brewing!



:)

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Training ride to Blenheim anyone?




Yep, wanted a big training day... what better than a training ride to Blenheim! I decided that I was going to pack my pockets, take a credit card and ride to Blenheim, if all went well stay the night and ride back Monday.


I left at 5:58 Sunday morning. It was crisp and cool. Just before I got to Greta valley, I saw a lonely figure coming the other way... it was the grand daddy of long rides, Shane Aitken. After a chat and best wishes he went Sth, I went north. After stopping in cheviot for a coffee, I continued onto Kaikoura. It was raining most of the way through the Hunderlees, although the sun would show through and the roads heated up so that I was riding through hot steam! It was awesome! Was climbing pretty well through there actually! When I got to Kaikoura, I was a bit smashed, as the wind was not being kind. It was 2pm. I could see really nasty weather in front of me, but when you’re by yourself, no support cars, just you, and ya credit card... well you just keep going right? It's fair to say the next 6 hours were hell. The wind started to blow really hard just minutes after Kaikoura. It was NW so I was riding right into the guts of it, then the clouds were rolling in. It rained SO bloody hard just out of Kekerengu you have no idea. I was riding with my hands in front of my face because the rain was killing me, I had to stop under a tree and wait for it to pass, then it did and the sun was intense! The weather was insane. The next 4 hours were some of the most crap I have ever experienced. The wind was SO strong I was basically riding at 15Kph for 4 hours. It was breaking me. I was talking to myself, was yelling at the wind out loud (you do these things at about 250k!) The sound of the wind in my ears got so intense, just that noise alone was cracking me! When I finally got to Blenheim I had decided to stay at Yvette’s parents. Kay picked me up and took me through to Waikawa bay. She had blankets to keep me warm and was just a darling! Thanks Kay. Xxx Steve lent me his shorts and a tee shirt. I literally only had the clothes on my back. The ride took about 2-3 hours longer than I thought it would take. I'm so bruised, so raw. It's hard to sit down. Mentally while on the bike I had to push myself so hard. So many times I thought F#@* this! But I wanted to get to Blenheim! My goal was to ride back Monday to ChCh, but I drove back (in steves clothes-see pic) and did short bays today.


So 309.65KMS from my door to Blenheim! 14 hours 30 minutes. I arrived in Blenheim to a breath taking sunset. First 6 hours were great, the last were hell. I mean it... I was broken. I was ready to cry for the last 3 hours and the last 6 were just horrible! But it's so character building!

People ask me often, “What do you think about”? Want me to tell you? Bob Scott told me “always say hello to horses”! That always sticks in my mind, so I always look for horses! Dumb! Yesterday I counted how many rental cars from my darling friend Nicki’s rental company (about NZ rentals/apex) went past. Nicki... there were 18! (...and one today up evens pass) I talk to myself about hurting and talk myself out of it. Yesterday a dog ran up a fence tine for about a Km so I was talking to it and trying to make it bark. Yesterday, I was trying to not think about how raw I was and how sore my knees were, so I would ride the white line and try not to look ahead and see how far I could go without looking up. Yesterday I thought about my mom too! Sometimes I dream about the finish of the ride and imagine how it will feel. I think about why the hay bales smell a certain way? I always find a ride over 150k makes my senses REALLY strong. I always think about mirrors of cars clipping me and knocking me off, it's really morbid huh? But I really do (that nasty head space of 250km). I definitely sing “OUT LOUD” and totally talk to myself “OUT LOUD”. I also wonder why when theres only me and 2 cars for miles, that they pass each other at the same time as they go past me. I spend hours wondering why this happens! Do you get what I mean? Yesterday I was also thinking about my mate Pavlos. Pavlos owns GOLDEN HOMES! He had texted me to say “hope your ok” and “I have some great news”. Pavlos has been working very hard with his loyal suppliers to get a package of prizes for the donators of the charity ride. Once we launch and tell you about this you will be blown away! It's times like this, that peoples true colours shine! Pavlos, you and the GOLDEN HOMES team are STARS! If you pull this off, the kids and I will be over the moon! So that was on my mind too!



Sorry this was a big one. It's been an insane couple of days. Short bays was great today and I felt really good. It's VERY exciting, as this was my first real test of how my body will hold up on the second day. It is bloody hard to believe though... that when I got to Blenheim yesterday, I would have to turn around and bike home... then turn around and bike back to Blenheim... that’s the distance of the EPIC ride. I must be bloody mad!

Keep the donations rolling in! Wynn Williams and co! You absolute ROCK STARS! Matt Jones, you made that happen.... $2500!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Words can’t express mate!


Lastly, it's you guys reading this, it's the texts, phone calls, donations, emails, the toots, the waves that keep me going. I have to do this. I mean I WANT to do this, but after yesterday, want just isn’t enough. So your support and encouragement is the driving force behind this. I wish I could thank everyone individually. But know I appreciate it. I need you behind me on this ride for the kids!

Tell all your friends, infect the world by email and texts and have everyone you know donate. That’s the key! Donate!
Love Scotty
:)

Thursday, January 15, 2009

www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/scottybrown

Thank you SO much everyone for the amazing emails, calls and donations. You have no idea how motivating it is for me. I'm in the deep end and there is NO turning back...

What an amazing bunch of friends and family I have! Keep spreading the word... for the kids! The official Charity web site has been launched. You can make a donation VERY easily and you can also "spread the gospal" by sending the link from the site. What is also awesome is you can see what your mates have donated and out do them.. LOVE THAT part! Please take the time to take a look at it. www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/scottybrown

Hope the weather holds up this weekend, so I have some awesome rides to tell you about.

My new GOLD CARRERA will make its debut this weekend. Super record, Phibra with GOLD paint, gold campy wheels... it is TOTAL bike BLING!

See you on the road this weekend,

Ciao, Scotty

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

MOMENTUM IS BUILDING! 1st donation...

This thing is now SO real. Wow, there is so much hype, so much enthusiasm for this charity ride! I am just over the moon to be honest! There is SO much going on, that I cannot simply write it all. Briefly, we have our fundraise website done and this will be launched tomorrow! We have most of the support sorted now and the email that went out last night to the GRAPE RIDERS has been overwhelming! Have had maybe 30 calls today from people that are just right behind this. Thankyou so much for the supportive calls, emails and texts, sincerely.



Today out of the blue an old mate and just absolute running legend Phil Costley popped in to the shop. He said that he had heard (Dean Ashby?) over a powerade (beer) that I was doing this bloody insane ride for Cholmondeley Children's home. He handed over a crisp $100 bill and said, "mate, you have always looked after me, so I'm right there with you". Phil, you NIKE sponsored absolute running GURU... you blew me away, and although I have had lots of people "dying" to hand over money, he actually did. Phil, you are officially the FIRST person to donate! SO... THANKS A MILLION, from me and from the kids. Phil, good luck in your next big event (BULLER) and take those NIKE shoes to a new record.



It's on baby! Bring it!

Ciao, Scotty



PS... surely NIKE will donate? (haha)

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Training log-VIP GRAPES

Today I wanted to ride another hard ride on the back of yesterday. So I did long bays, then across the summit to kiwi then did the short bays after that! Can't say I'm climbing that well! grrrr

Anyway, I'll be riding halswell sumner for the next 3 days before and after work.. so if youre out.. give us a wee wave! Hill reps Friday (cry)

Thanks for checking up and remember, PLEASE TELL YOUR FRIENDS about my up coming charity ride. You'd be really suprised the people that are just "out of the blue" contacing me or talking to friends etc about this! The way we are going to raise $100,000 for the kids is by EVERYONE getting behind it.

Will post donation information this week too.

Lastly, Grape Gonzo from the Grape Ride is RIGHT behind this effort. He has sent me an AMAZING email this week, letting me know that we will have our own tent and VIP area at the Grape ride. A place that everyone who gets behing me will have a place to hang out.... I ASSURE you, this will be a place you will want to be seen in! DURAN DURAN have said they cannot make it, but we are working on other 80's pop legends! LOL

Ciao, Scotty

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Punched for 6 hours by a heavy weight boxer!!

Decided last night to ride to the coast with Jonny! We left at 5:30am, got 35k down the old west coast road and poor old Jonny breaks a spoke (big bastard!) ............So keep going alone! What a crap ride I had! Decided to go to Arthurs Pass, thats a 155k ride. Man o man, got to the top of porters Pass riding about 5k an hour at top and I just never got "my legs"! It was just a 155k slog today. Got to Arthurs in just over 6 hours and Yvette collected me (trooper!) The only consolation was I saw Bob Scott riding the other way from the coast, stopped and chatted... at least I didnt ride 240k like him! Good on ya mate. Bit negative sorry... but man... feel like my legs were just punched for 6 hours by Mike Tyson! grrrrrr

Friday, January 9, 2009

little update

Thanks so much for dropping in! Well I just wanted to give you a training update and a donation update!

Training is going well, although this week is a rest week and the few rides I have been on have basically sucked. Legs are feeling DEAD! This could be because of the 900k week I did last week. While away on holiday I did some great rides, including the GRAPE RIDE coarse which is part of the 1000k charity ride in April. Then on the 29th I rode back from Waikawa. For those of you that dont know, Waikawa is just out of Picton at the top of the South Island.. it was 360kms. YES! 360km's. It took me 15hours-ish. I left at 5:30am on a crisp morning and got to Christchurch at 8pm that night. Fabulous weather. I got SO sun burnt! Had 2 or 3 VERY DARK moments of just mental hell, but riding round Kaikora with the seals barking, still blue sea, well... that was a highlight!

So yes, I am getting a little thinner. The plan is next week (12th) to do another 800-1000k week.

On the 24th December, I had a phone call from a woman who had heard of the charity ride through a friend! She said that it was a remarkable effort and that $100 simple wasn't enough to give for such an effort for the kids... she said her and her husband will give $1000! Although wanting to name anonymous, she said it was fine to tell of her generosity! This is the kind of feed back I am getting all the time. Steve Barry (and Michelle I'm sure) from Pro-Fitness is giving $1 per Km... another totally AMAZING gesture! Well Steve, I reckon you better get out a grand mate!

So remember this.... I was bloody numb after 360Km.... so an extra 600Kms is gunna hurt! Make it worth my while...... be part of this great adventure! Be part of this great cause.... feel amazing about yourself, that you have helped!

All the donation and gifting information will be available soon... I'll keep you posted!

Thanks for tuning in!

Scotty

First blog for charity

Thanks a million for clicking in and following what is going o be one heck of an adventure. I wanted a place for you to come and check the progress of my training, the lead up, the supporters and who’s involved with the mega ride I'm doing for Cholmondeley children’s home.

As you well know, Cholmondeley children’s home is totally underfunded and only with the generous support of companies and individuals donating to the home, is it possible that the kids are well looked after. There a hundreds and hundreds of charities that are all well worth supporting. In choosing this cause, I wanted to support something local that makes a difference to many people in our “backyard”. But most of all, something you and I can continue supporting, long after I have ridden the 1000th kilometre! . This is such a great charity, we ARE going to make a difference!


I’m so happy and sincerely appreciative that you have made the effort to come see what I'm up to. I will post my training, information, news and pic’s as often as possible, so please keep checking up on me and ensure you tell as many people about this as possible. You’re a really special person for getting behind this... not only me, but the kids, are going to be just OVER THE MOON.

See you again soon!
Ciao
Scotty