Take Off Your Running Shoes

Finding time to write in a fundraising blog, post-fundraising event, is almost as difficult as getting back into the brutal gym routine, post-painful-fundraising event. A month late, but im here.

The Peru ride was spectacular, nowhere near the challenge I was hoping, or expecting. We had an incredible time however, and as the evidence shows, a lot of fun along the way. Israel was probably more to my heart, being the holy land, amongst other things - getting to ride across the Negev and feel in tune, in touch, with home was really very special - and the ride was physically and mentally tougher. I also felt closer to the cause of Breast Cancer. I haven't lost anyone personally to it, fairly recently I did lose one of my aunts to Bowel Cancer, also, it seems to be the cancer age, as Dina Rabinovitch put it.

Dina lost the fight to Breast Cancer very recently. She was an orthodox Jew, a successful journalist, and, above all, devoted mother of four and stepmother of four more. Her blog Take Off Your Running Shoes, was a great fundraising excercise to raise £100,000 for cancer research, by not running a marathon.

[P]artly because I am pretty washed out by the run of non-stop cancer treatment I’ve been taking since June 2004.

Her formula was pretty simple, she said that if everybody who reads her blog contributes one pound a week for one year, then she would reach the target really quickly. Well, unfortunately Dina has passed away, but the money keeps coming in, currently its up to £80,068.00. Check out her links below:

-- http://www.dinablog.com/
-- http://www.justgiving.com/dinaspage



Cuss

--By way of Just Giving's blog

Well, im back...

The ride went incredibly well and ive a ton to say about it, but have been side-tracked with the huge amount of work to climb over first. I plan on posting a little ride summary mid-week.

Instrument of pleasure or torture, the bicycle leaves racing cyclists with memories either exalted or painful but, once they have dismounted, each one of them retains an indistinguishable affection for the two wheels.

Robert Chapatte, a pro rider - 5 Tours De France, three abandons - later a journalist.

No so fishy-fish nutrition

Chris Carmichael and Jim Rutberg have a really great and interesting post on correctly preparing and cooking fish at Train Right. It focuses on how easy it is to cook simple fish dishes:

...[F]or both the high quality protein and heart-healthy fat that comes with it. But most people I know aren’t too familiar with preparing it and wrongly assume that it requires some special touch.

Cod is great for those who like a milder, less “fishy”–tasting fish, yet it sill packs the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid punch of other cold-water fish like salmon, tuna, and halibut. The recipe below goes well with shredded cabbage or lettuce and warm corn tortillas or served over a bed of brown rice. Leftovers can be used in tacos, salads, or in a sandwich.

Mmm fish.

I've been following an endurance fitness meal plan of Chris Carmichael's to help get my body what it needs and burn more than im eating, in preparation for my Israeli Rider and Peru challenge's. He's the guy that trained Lance Armstrong (the 7-time tour de france winner (if you didn't know)) pre and post-cancer and certainly know's what he's talking about when it comes to training. Currently im eating around 2,800 calories a day and buring somewhere between 800-850 at the gym or on the bike. All i seem to be doing these days is eat, sleep and train, oh and a little working ('blogging') in between ;) hehe.

That's all for now, time for more food ;)


Mx

Bikes, bikes and, more bikes...

Cannondale is killing me with concept bikes and new singlespeed leftyfork's. This concept is just awesome...


Then there's Colnago's bike which has been built to celebrate 60 years of Ferrari, with every inch of the bike being colour-coded and ferrari-ed to its eyeballs. Yikes.

Shofar so good

(Picture courtesy of asimplejew.blogspot.com)

L'Shanah Tovah to all my Heebs out there... Here's a little story from Revach L'Neshama for you:

Rav Tzvi Meir tells a story that goes something like this. A person meets his friend after Rosh Hashana and asks him "Nu, so how did your Rosh Hashana go?" He replies "It was beautiful. The baal tefila didn't leave a dry eye in the shul. The meals were full of divrei torah and zemiros. The afternoons we learned straight without dozing or schmoozing for a minute. The kids behaved like angels" "Wow! Gevaldig. Sounds like it was perfect" his friend replies. "Well almost perfect. The kid next to me in Shul couldn't stop making noise during Musaf and the father the "Groisse Tzaddik" was so busy shukling away that he didn't do anything besides keep shuckling. I had to shissss the kid half of Mussaf. Besides that it was perfect.

To this Rav Tzvi Meir says, "Fool! That was your whole test of Rosh Hashana. Maybe your whole year depended on your reaction to the kid. The rest of Yom Tov was not your Nisayon!" This Rosh Hashana don't decide for yourself what Rosh Hashana is all about. Submit yourself to what the King of all Kings decides is your particular avodah.Gut Yom Tov!

I wish all of you a beautiful new year full of gezunt, parnossa, and nachas!

Mx

It's Not About the Bike

I've been reading, the Lance Armstrong book 'It's Not About the Bike', or I should really say consuming it as its been impossible to put down.

I have wanted to read this for some time now, not for what might be the obvious reason of Lance being a world-class cyclist, and for those who know me, know im pretty keen on cycling. Mainly though its been due to the fact that its such an inspiring story of a man who always had to fight to get what he wants and a lot of the time, comes out winning. Whether thats growing up with no father or being diagnosed with testicular cancer which in turn leads to having brain surgery, following which going on to compete in the Tour De France and win it, 7 consecutive times.

Definitely recommend this if you're looking for a great read, but also an uplifting and beautifully told story too.

That's all for now, i've got to get out on the bike ;)


Mx

mooooo - how very exciting

My Moo Cards arrived today! Not much to say really, except what it says on the packaging:) how very exciting.

How we talk about learning disability

-- From Mencap's homepage (http://www.mencap.org.uk/)

At Mencap, we know that many members of the public do not really understand what we do or what having a learning disability means for someone. We want to change this which is why we are looking for your ideas about some better ways of talking about learning disability.

We have asked Populus, a market research company, to run a survey for us and we would like you to take part. To keep costs down we are doing the survey online.

-- http://www.populusinteractive.com/populus/qserv?sec=ANON_MCWebsite

In the papers...

Just noticed that The Jewish Chronicle (a national British Jewish newspaper - wiki) have posted an online version of a small write-up they did about my 'Israeli Rider' event at the end of September. Unfortunately they didn't add any sponsorship links, as thats against their policy, doh! Hopefully it add's some sort of increased awareness though, no press is bad press as the saying goes, except the press that doesn't have links!!! ;)

Here's the excerpt for your amazement:

Covent Garden

An art director from Covent Garden is hoping to raise £5,000 for a new breast cancer centre by taking part in a sponsored bike ride in Israel next month. Marcus Bird, 25, will be among 400 cyclists covering the 362 miles from Metullah in the north to Eilat in the south to raise money for the new facility based at Tel Aviv’s Rabin Medical Centre. Mr Bird is believed to be the only Briton among a 15-strong team from the American Friends of Rabin Medical Centre.

Cool. Kinda just ends, haha, but there you go, my first real write-up. To add to the amazement however, i've been told i'll be in the Haftarah sheet (wiki) at my Shul in Marble Arch (West London Synagogue). Ill post something when I see it :)

Go to the archived web page
-- http://www.thejc.com/Home.aspx?ParentId=m11s20s21&Aid=54805&AtypeId=1&secid=21&prev=true

What your support can achieve:

Here are some important facts:

- 1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability.

- 200 babies are born with a learning disability every week.

- 9 out of 10 people with a learning disability get bullied.

- There are more than 29,000 people with a severe or profound learning disability who live at home with carers aged over 70.

Please donate any amount you can and help.

- £25 - could help us to make the first visit to a family who have a newly-born child with a learning disability and desperately need advice and support.

- £50 - could pay for two young people with a learning disability to take part in our Gateway Award programme for a year (this is similar to the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme).

- £140 - would enable us to respond to ten calls on our freephone learning disability helpline this provides vital information and support to people with a learning disability and their families.

- £250 - could pay for 16 children who cannot speak to attend a special workshop where they can learn the Makaton sign language.

- £570 - could pay for the 16-week course we run for volunteers to train them to provide advice and support to families who have children with a learning disability.

Your donation to Mencap will make a real and lasting difference.

A learning disability affects the way someone learns, communicates or does some everyday things. That learning disability can continue all through their life.

Link: justgiving.com/Cuss-In-Peru

Link: mencap.org.uk

"...everything is destroyed,"

I'm sure all of you have heard about the chaos and devastation in Peru. The first news I saw was on BBC News in the morning and it seemed quite insignificant, but as more information keeps coming through it really sounds dreadful.

The dead are scattered by the dozens on the streets. We don't have lights, water, communications. Most houses have fallen. Churches, stores, hotels -- everything is destroyed, Pisco Mayor Juan Mendoza told Lima radio station CPN, according to the AP.

These terrible events make me really focus on the fragility of life. My cycle across part of Peru might not seem as significant in comparison, but I hope it makes everyone look inside themselves and help in some way. Whether its somehow helping the people in Peru who have been affected directly, or something, anything else to help another person in need.

Please, take a moment to let it resonate and then do what you can to help. Save the little badge at the top of the page and upload it to your own blog or website, and help make a difference.


Just copy the badge code and paste it into your myspace/facebook/blog or own website:

<a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Cuss-In-Peru"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJfDeZAMTG08lQhPi6iGr5YC4j1TijM-SebUKEAHFsS2y3MFuxAkY2RtzGny02g2FutozrBaLBTswcNwMOyPPKQTi7TiEGCHmd02XmhCES_lQaQkYHj7sr2kgfxr3XzLE1J2rahcRScj0/s400/helping_badge.jpg" /></a>

Read more on the Peru quake here.

"He chews gum with his mouth open. I leave my legs lying around on the floor."

I've been so involved in training and trying to get people interested donating even a little of their money that ive, in a way, almost lost sight of what im doing all of this for. Thats a little unfair on myself maybe, as ive always had the ultimate goal in mind while i try to focus on each task one step at a time. Though, after reading this old article about an Iraq vet running as a candidate for Congress ive definitely had a bit of a wake up.

So, expect to see some more stories relating to the Rabin Medical Center, who im raising money for, also on Mencap, who im also raising money for. I hope some of these stories inspire you to get up and help someone, as I read earlier today its better to give a penny a day for 100 days than a dollar (or a pound) every hundred days. Why not start this minute, because every time your hand does an action of giving, it becomes more and more a giving hand...


Cuss

--Washington Post article courtesy of Christine Harbridge's blog

8 week countdown!

Just passing the 8 weeks mark... It always gets a little more nervewrecking from here on in. Time seems to fly by and im more conscious of training and injuries and of course, sponsorship. The last big ride I did was hard, but the sponsorship always seems to be the hard part to it. On that note, if you fancy helping out even a little bit, have a peek over here --
http://www.firstgiving.com/Cuss-In-Israel

Self promotion is hard, for me at least. I find it very difficult to be inmodest and rally everyone I know together and say 'go on then, give us a fiver...', which most Mancunians would probably not have difficulty with. Im having to bite the bullet a little more though, as they say, and push some friends and contacts a little more at least just to spread the word of my charity events.

On the cycling front, ive found a rather fetching (not so much) saddle. After crushing my last one in Cuba following a pretty nasty roll down a ditch, it might be necessary to take a spare. Patriotism is the word of the day apparently...

Stepping the training up another notch

One of the trainers at my gym convinced me to take his spin class (Tour De Covent Garden) last night. Its meant to be one of the hardest in the area (im gonna say London as a whole, haha), and after 45minutes out of the seat I can tell you its pretty intense.

This morning I took the bike out for 15 miles to meet my friend Kevin, who's over from Malibu to mix a new Iron Maiden album. He was the original motivation behind my charity cycles. Looks like next week we're gonna head out to my parents place in the Cotswolds and see if we can push some big miles. Either that or do the 120-mile London to Canterbury ride that was stage 1 of Tour De France.



So after the spinning last night, I went straight into another class (Kangoo Kick), you know, why not... Another challenging workout with these strange Kangoo Jumps boots. Wow, now thats a weird experience... haha. Quite embarrassing in a room full of girls who are literally kicking my ass while we're bouncing around on these strange boots to an old-skool rave kinda movement (now that brought back childhood memories!) and doing a mixture of kicks, punches and head spinning. (Head spinning due to my incredible balance on these things ;) hehe).

So, I decided to follow that with yet another class, haha... Yea, I know. 3 back to back classes at 45 minutes each was a great way to mix up my usual routine. The gym is certainly growing on me and everyone likes to drop words of encouragement or training tips while winding down in the sauna, for 30minutes :)


Im looking into all the different kinds of protein shakes, following one of my sauna therapy sessions. If anyone has experience with them, would love to hear some advice. My brother used to be big on the MaxiMuscle ones, but that made him a little crazy and he would forget his entire workout :/ haha, so I think i'll avoid that. Although he was taking creatine for a while too, and ive got the feeling it was that that did it...

Maybe next week ill have the khutspe to try out one of the more intense (MORE intense?) sessions with swords... Or, maybe not. MUAY THAI is enough for now I think :)

Peace Ya'll.

Let's just see what the pro's are riding,...

Think there's a slight difference here, if nothing else its in the cost, haha...

Giant TCR Advanced Zero
£3,999.00
www.giant-bicycles.com


Finishing kit is the Easton EC70 composite stem, bars and seatpost. Easton is arguably a leader in developing carbon components, and was one of the first companies to employ nanotechnology. Their Enhanced Resin System technology uses carbon nanotubes impregnated into the resin mix. The end result is an improved strength-to-weight ratio. Dang.

Today i've been getting really excited for the Israel ride...

I've been hugely concerned at the amount of miles involved and the training really has been pretty brutal, but I spoke with Dr. Plaut in New York today at the American Friends of Rabin Medical Center and just received an email outlining some more details of the ride, and now im just getting excited at seeing so much more of the beautiful landscapes in Israel.

This weekend i'll be training with my brother in Manchester. He has a pretty harsh run through the Northern fields set up for me, so we'll see how that goes and it'll give us some more time to discuss yet more fundraisers that we've been planning!

My good friends Laura Hulme has been putting some designs together for my t-shirts and other random bits that I want to give away with the larger donations, ill post some of her artwork when she's happy with it! Its looking great though, Im loving it so far:)

Thats all for today, ill leave you with something to think about from R. Simmons at Aish:

Big goals, small goals. If you want to make a difference, it's possible.

That's why the Torah juxtaposes the command to "love your neighbor," next to the prohibition "not to stand idly by while another is in need." (Leviticus 19:16-18)

Don't cruise through life as if it's some obstacle course: watch out, here's a human being, manipulate him, push him, score a point, one-upmanship. That's not the way. You have to share the burden.

The Talmud asks, "Why was Adam created alone? So that every person should say, 'the entire world was created just for me.'"

This is a recognition that everything -- including the needs of every other human being -- was created for you. We are all caretakers of this world, responsible to deal with the problems. Everything on earth, problems as well as beauty, offers an opportunity for you to connect and to grow. Every person you encounter is there because you need it at that time. If someone needs help, it's part of your challenge, a message for you.

Look around at absolutely everything and ask, "What is this saying to me? Why was this sent as part of my path to perfection?"

Feel the victims of society. Feel the victims of crime. Feel the victims of terrorism. Feel the victims of old age. Feel the victims of discrimination. Feel the suffering of people you will never meet -- about the plight of strangers halfway around the world.

How do you become real with the suffering of others? To understand the problems encountered by a blind person, for example, try blindfolding yourself for a day. Or go to the hospital and visit patients who have lost limbs. Share the burden.

Facebook

Sponsorship is dragging along, but ive been sending out links to all I know and adding all those random applications on Facebook to step it up!!! haha. Seems to be working a little though, I have two groups on there and two apps.

You can add the application at: http://apps.facebook.com/justgiving

You'll need to have a Facebook account and to log-in to get this working.

Check out the groups here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2566785425

And: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2380347041

3-days, 362 miles.

Alright, so ive committed myself fully now to the Israel ride for Breast Cancer research, which is a month before Peru. Im really hopping that everything goes smoothly as the Peru ride alone is tough enough. Im pretty concerned, but im training hard for both. I think ill post a sample of my week's routine on here, at least so I can keep to it a little tighter, but it basically consists of about 3 hours in the gym per day and 10miles morning cycle. With around 60 - 70 miles on the bike on Sunday's.

Just to clarify, I do work as well, haha. I have a full time job running a design studio in Covent Garden, so to keep my energy levels high I seem to be eating all the time too. If anyone has any good recipes out there to get my energy levels even higher, I would love to try them out!!!

Ok, back to work, or is it training? Here's the link for the new sponsorship site for the Israel ride - www.firstgiving.com/Cuss-In-Israel

Back from Israel, back into training...

Ok, I can't believe it was the end of May that I made my last post, but in my defence Ive been in Israel for 3weeks on a volunteer programme with tsahal (the IDF). The two weeks getting back into work and training have just been hectic, though im now into a heavy regiment every morning and evening, which I know you're so excited about...

More training!

Went out to the country this weekend and rode all over Gloucestershire. Love the Cotswolds, the weather was fantastic too and managed to sneak in a couple old man's ales between miles, so all smiles this end. Apart from the discomfort from, well, this end. After I trashed my saddle in Cuba I did pick up a new one which has been awesome, but after 40miles or so its inevitable that you'll ache. Getting on the next day is always fun, haha.

Kinda developed my British tan too. Everyone I bumped into today has asked if ive been travelling... Very funny, very strawberry blonde and pink too, haha :/

Lots to do this week, im out to Eretz (the holy land) on Saturday and I cannot wait! Got a long check list of places to hit, but ill only have about 6 days free out of 3 weeks, so we'll see how much I really manage to do. I think first on the list is the kotel, but its so hard to decide whats more important :)

Anyway, thats all for now, lots to get on with. Mx

I'm not doing so well with this daily updating business. Mind you, that just means a bigger random update right now.

Had a mini break in NY and got lots of snaps. Didn't work out once, apart from the drinking... But hurting myself a lot now to make up for it. My friend Kristin in over from San Francisco and wants to see the sights every day (like, 10miles of walking London) and Kevin is over from Malibu and enjoys the morning cycle (15-20miles before work), so between them im exhausted. But I love it, haha.

So Kristin is here for another week and the following week im in Israel, for 3 weeks! Weho! Party Time. Ill be doing a volunteer program called Sar El where they stick me on a Kibbutz or IDF base for a few weeks to take some pressure off reservists. Following that I have a cycle through Israel in September, from the north to south over 3 days covering 120miles a day. Sheesh... If that doesn't get me ready for Peru, I don't know what will...!


Mx

Ralph Wiggum is more my cup of tea

Just finished a shoot at a rather classy affair of a place in Mayfair. The new Ralph Lauren girl was there and I just cant see what the big deal is with this boy-girl look. Girls who are boys and all that. Still, works up as much sweat as being at the gym, so I feel a little closer to Peru ;)

Packing: Essentials

I'll get bored of this blogging before you know it...

Nice little blog here by Innocent, the smoothie guys. For my reference as much as yours :)



Cheers,


Cuss

Widgets ahoy!

Its go time.

So the fundraising page is set up and rolling in some support already: Cuss In Peru. Which is great news. My training has been stepped up and im about a month into a more specific regiment. Only thing is I haven't been out on my bike since November!?... Not that I didn't/don't want to, but my last sponsored ride across Cuba left me a little battered and seat-less, which i'm still yet to replace.

I saw a seat that was pretty groovy and nasi-like over at the Condor site but they've just changed their site and im too lazy to walk the 1.3 miles to the store ;)

On a good note, Kev Caveman Shirley is gonna be over in London for 5/6 weeks, so looks like some good 30+ mile rides lined up.

Thats all for now baby, peace and gut shabbos.


Cuss