Magnificent motorsport memorabilia........

When one journey comes to an end another begins. This amazing journey from one cold February morning earlier this year thinking 'I'm going to learn how to ride an off-road bike and ride it somewhere interesting ', to now has been quite incredible.

To date we've raised almost £8,000 and the final furlong, as it were, is auctioning the quite fabulous and unique piece of motorsport memorabilia and history. The shirt bit.ly/nKiLRu been signed by; Valentino Rossi, nine Grand Prix World Championships and multiple MotoGP World Championship title holder, Jorge Lorenzo, 2006 & 2007 250cc World Champion, 2010 Moto GP World Champion, James Toseland, 2004 & 2007 World Superbike Champion - he retired last month due to a wrist injury,

Cal Crutchlow, British Supersport champion and British Superbike race winner, and the 2009 Supersport World Champion, Danny Webb, 125cc World Championship multiple title holder, Leon Haslam, British Superbikes, World superbikes, Ian Hutchinson, TT racer, Jonathan Rea, World Superbike racer, Keith Amor, TT legend, David Johnson, British Superbikes , James Whitham,TT Superbike champion, British Superbike Champion Supercup and the ACU TT British Superbike Champion, John McGuinness, TT legend, Neil Hodgson, British Superbike and World Superbike Champion & Ian Lougher, 9 victories in the North West 200, 10 wins at the Isle of Man TT Races and 42 wins at the Southern 100 Races and all the signatures were gathered by Steve Parrish. What an awesome collection.

Some say a journey is best measured by the new friends and people one meets.

Many have been asking what the next challenge will be, there were a number of answers to that a fortnight ago!

A seasoned off-roader who competes regularly and is awesome on a bike, called me last week. He's done the trip. He said 'Congratulations and well done! What were you thinking (I don't think I was), that was a truly epic challenge for such a beginner. Good on you for coming back in one piece'. I'm still surprising myself now thinking back to some of the terrain I covered on a dirtbike! Wouldn't have missed it for the world and the guys were all fantastic and very supportive and encouraging but crikey I didn't know what I didn't know ......... But I do now......!

Thank you, Merci and Grazie to so many people;

Donna Gray for getting me on the bike, in the right kit and starting off my very tentative learning experience, Martin Wittering, mechanic extraordinaire along with buckets of constant moral support and encouragement, Gary Faillettaz for his consistent unfailing encouragement, tuition and so, so very much patience and picking my bike up more times than should be allowed, team-mate fantastico, Steve Parrish for the fabulous signed shirt, books and WSB passes, Michelle Hunter for hosting the auction at the wonderful Queen Adelaide, John Kettley - without whom for sure this journey would never have really begun! Jim Gale for the brilliant graphics and plastics, Tamsin Jones for training, moral support and hugely boosting my confidence, Liz Rhodes at BBC Radio Cambridgeshire for constant encouragement, Nigel Wheatley and Michele Maddocks of Enduroland, Ed Blum, film director, Charley Boorman for tweeting, FB 'ing ( in fact getting me on FB), signing a book for the auction, Ross Noble for an auction prize and for making me laugh and keeping me human in Wales, Billy Ward for making these aforementioned things happen and for suggesting more training, not to mention making me smile on numerous occasions when I really needed to, Tim McEwan, auctioneer of the mostest, Ian Glover of Bloodhound SSC, Nigel Harrison, Jayne Perks, Jeremy Goring of the Goring Hotel, Sue & Andy Banham of Taylard House, Chris Evans (thanks as well as singlehandedly almost completely putting me off bikes forever!) and Cyril Despres, Graham Banks of GB Racing for so much, Sally Saunders of Esse (support and keeping me vaguely feminine), Jacquie and Matt of The Wendy House, Janine Wood of SLP, Tessa Roberts of Ocean One, Christian Malissard of Eagle Perf, Angela Dawson of Dawson VA Services, Dave Newman of SupremeBeing, Irene Routh-Jones for moral support, lovely friend Rachael for getting me packed and lovely texts when I was in the Pyrenees, dear friends Paul and Ailsa for airport runs, Caroline Faillettaz for huge support, my parents for looking after the girls, my fabulous friend Wendy for so much moral support and my gorgeous sister Elly who was particularly brilliant when I was finding it harder than hard, Mr T for so much and so much more and my beautiful girls. And of course to so many generous family and friends who gave donations, kind words and huge support, thank you, thank you, thank you, merci, merci, merci, grazie, grazie, grazie.

As for the next challenge..........Andalucia and Africa in my sights and perhaps a rally. Watch this space.......

The expression goes.......

......that if one waits until one is ready for something, the readiness never comes. So, with that in mind, bring it on! I'm ready enough. 12 days to go, the bike's ready, mousses fitted, roadbook 'thingy' fitted, went on a wee shopping spree this afternoon for jerry cans, metal putty (cold chemical weld I'm told - not that I have any idea what to do with it!!) and enough zip ties to go around the world twice.

The bikes are being trucked to France in the next day or two, so when a window of opportunity appeared today for a practice I took it! It was also at the precise moment that the heavens opened on Cambridesghire - real Welsh rain it was!

My little Honda is on top form, Martin at TorqueRacing has worked his magic, the forks are 'lovely' (technical term), a lowering link on the back and a couple of bar risers. Perfick! Martin's the man.

The CRF 250 isn't as torquey as the 400, still need to work on my throttle control on set off, wheel span just the once - oop!

Had a fabulous outing, one of those 'big smile in the helmet' jobs. It was very slippery and I just love big puddles, they're as irresistible as dark chocolate! Played 'chicken' with a few young pheasants or maybe it was 'pheasant'! Had a major wobbly skid and just averted a spill - tee hee! I was absolutely soaked to the skin when I returned - not one item was dry. Jet -washed the bike, it was very satisfyingly grubby!

Very excitingly, we've raised a current total of £6207 for GOSH and KidsCo, the target is near! Thanks very, very much to everyone who has so generously donated, it means such a lot and personally has been such an incentive when the going's got tough (and that's been quite a lot of times!!) and to our wonderful sponsors; GBRacing, TorqueRacing, The Wendy House, Esse, Ocean One, SLP, ZeroNine, SupremeBeing, Eagle Performance, Dawson VAServices and my No. 1 trainer Donna Gray.

I'm wearing a rather lovely shirt tonight (bear with?!) which has been signed by Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, James Toseland amongst other notable legends of MotoGP, TT, WSB & BSB - hoping some expertise will rub off!! Kindly donated by Steve Parrish and it's going up for auction soon - watch this space.....

£5500 for GOSH and KidsCo.....

What a fabulous evening raising a further £1300 for GOSH and KidsCo.

Thank you so much to everyone who came and those who bid in the auction.

Thanks to Tim McEwan, our fantastic auctioneer - a natural!

Michelle Hunter for hosting the auction at The Queen Adelaide.

Steve Parrish, Charley Boorman, Bloodhound SSC, The Goring Hotel, Taylard House, Chris Evans, Cyril Despres, SupremeBeing,

Ed Blum, Billy Ward and Graham Banks for generously donating such fabulous auction lots.

Caroline Failletaz for collecting the cash! Elly Hanna for capturing the event on film!

Martin Wittering, Donna Gray and Gary Failletaz for endless support and encouragement and picking up my bike and sometimes me on numerous occasions!

And of course the girls and Mr T.

Halfway there and botox for bikes?!

The GasGas isn't a new motorbike however now it has new plastics and graphics with logos of the companies and people that have generously sponsored and helped us so far, it looks not only fantastic but years younger! Hmm - like a bit of that myself! Botox for bikes!!?
A few firsts yesterday, we went to the Royston & District Motorcycle Club Show in Meldreth

I rode there and Gary kindly escorted me on his bike (bit of angst - situation normal - had set in). The two bikes were logo'd up and we were putting them on the TorqueRacing stand. I got overtaken by a classic Triumph on the way - teehee. When we arrived I was quite humbled, don't think I've ever seen quite so many bikes and I was certainly aware of my limited bike experience - didn't embarrass myself though or Gary (to my knowledge!!). There was everything there; hogs, roadsters, sports bikes, scooters, cruisers, a stunning Ducati desmosedici and of course enduros! Thank you to Mark Coningsby for the interview and letting everyone know what we're up to!

We are now halfway through this journey and have 2 1/2 months to go, I purposely haven't counted up potential training days for reasons of remaining calm.

So big list of thanks to; Donna Gray, former champion, and my trainer (keeps me smiling), Martin Wittering of Torque Racing for keeping my bike 'fit', Jim Gale at Werx for the graphics and plastics, Enduroland for being on their site and their constant support and motivation on practice days, Michelle at The Queen Adelaide for hosting the auction (don't forget 30th July), Dave Newman at Supremebeing for the challenge Tshirts for the auction and making us 'cool' in the process, Martin at Schoolyard for printing the challenge T-shirts. Billy Ward, Graham Banks of GB Racing for sponsorship and donation of the British Superbike Passes for the auction, The Wendy House, Ocean One, Special Little People, Steve Parrish for MotoGP goodies for the auction, Eagle Performance, Dawson VA services, Sally, Serena & Steff at Esse Retail & Therapy for their endless encouragement especially on the 'what am I doing?' type days!! So many thanks to all those who have very generously donated.

And of course to Gary for tips, techniques and buckets of patience, Caroline (Gary's Mrs) for so much encouragement, Mr T for limitless supplies of support, putting up with me and gently assisting (occasionally shoving) me out of my comfort zone and for lots of cheerleading and support from my sis, Elly and the girls.

And I rode in the dark too - not far mind, but a first!

We're at c£3500 in fundraising so here's to the next stage.

Danger from your own bike when you're not even on it!!

An afternoon with Gary and how different the challenge looks! I.e. a bit more possible than last week.

Still haven't got my bike back, so undeterred I took out Mr T's 4 stroke 400 KTM and practiced on the field near the house. I noticed the weight difference, also the more consistent power delivery, linear, I'm informed, the the GasGas is more lumpy , to my mind anyway. Still managed a few kangaroo like manoeuvres! Either way it's very different to the GasGas. Then after an hour or so of that, went to a local clunch pit for some practice and tuition with Gary.

Lots of ascents and descents, where to put my weight, use of the throttle, clutch, brakes. The big difference with the 4 stroke being that the engine brakes which helps when going down hill. So, did lots of that!

Then Gary suggested something new. He put out a couple of rocks about 2 bike lengths apart to practice slow controlled riding around. He then demonstrated how to move on the bike in a figure of eight and it looked so easy! Then I had a go. I started off with some fairly (?!) tight loops to begin with. My left hand turns are okay but to the right leave much to be desired. Did lots and lots left and right - gosh I was pooped.

I then tried it on Gary's bike, a 2 stroke KTM 200 and not dissimilar to mine. That was easier, all down to the weight I think and manoeuvrability.

Next, a few laps on Gary's bike and the ascents and descents again with some little turns at the bottom. Got some 'air' at one point, both wheels in the air over the top of a hill - what fun I thought afterwards. At the time, I was thinking I've used too much throttle and I'm on Gary's bike - eek! Then more slow riding loops and figures of eight.

Caroline, Gary's lovely wife, had said a few weeks ago that Gary was a very good and very patient teacher. She is absolutely right. Even when, on one descent I stood up a bit late at the top of the hill and then grabbed the throttle, so went down the hill mighty fast and nearly ran Gary over in the process! And I was riding his bike! Goodness! That got my heart going. Gary very calmly asked what I had done? Mr T, the girls and my great friend Wends who were all watching at the time, thought it was hilarious, the facial expressions were good apparently and Mr T has never seen Gary move so quick! Don' t think Gary thought it hilarious - not at the time anyway!

Slept like a baby last night, I was exhausted and fortunately my baby slept too!

So, more of the same today and by the end of June, there is a somewhat steep climb in the pit, that I need to have conquered! Mr T asked which bike I preferred, hmm , bit like comparing apples and pears. Can I take a 2 stroke and a 4 stroke to France?

Thanks Gary!

Hard as nails in the new helmet!!?!

So, so delighted that SupremeBeing, the uber cool clothing brand, have generously agreed to provide the T shirts that are going to be signed by some equally uber cool people that I can't reveal........yet! All so exciting! Thanks Dave....so much!

As I mentioned to my mate Claire, when that particular email came through, along with a few others agreeing to sign said T shirts, I'd just come out of a cafe with my favourite coffee and so excited was I, I nearly dropped it!!

More excitement, we also have x2 British Superbikes Premium Paddock Passes which have been kindly donated by GB Racing for the GOSH & KidsCo fundraising auction (date to be agreed tomorrow) in the summer. Thanks Graham...brilliant!

On Tuesday, I was a guest of Liz Rhodes of BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, one of our earliest supporters and encouragers of this fundraising challenge for GOSH & KidsCo at the afternoon' chatroom' which was great. Thanks Liz for your unwavering support! I also had the real pleasure of meeting Molly Blackburn, a co-ordinator for OpenOut a scheme which supports the victims and witnesses of hate crime in Cambridgeshire, a wonderfully enthusiastic, optimistic person with a fantastic joie de vivre and outlook on life.

So, back to the bikes. I read an article today about two strokes not being that environmentally friendly due to the burnt 'lube' oil that they produce and that they stink when you're behind them. No-one's ever behind me ....... yet!!

Many of you know that my knowledge mechanical is somewhat limited and so a lively discussion with Mr T ensued over supper. He commented that a lot of diesel ships are two strokes, bet they've got big pistons!!! Some ships, like the one Mr T used to be an officer on (before Mrs T!) produce 32,000 shaft horse power( oo er missus). That would make stalling a thing of the past, if of course, it fitted between the wheels. Of course, picking it up would need more than Mr Failletaz and several marshalls. Flippancy aside, why would you choose a two stroke to propel several lots of tonnage through the water if it wasn't vaguely efficient. Discuss?

Stalled several times this evening, I blame the excitable new spark plug - fortunately however I didn't stall in front of several friends I think I spotted outside the local pub and a lady with a gorgeous young English Setter.

Took my new helmet out for a spin this evening. Loved it ...so light... However, now my goggles don't fit?! Hmmphh.

'Hard as nails?' not me as a biker.....working on it though - teehee! I have Shellac nails provided by one of our supporters, Esse retail and spa. Great nails for bikers apparently - 4 days on - no chips yet?!!

The kids leading the way for kids at GOSH and KidsCo!

What a week! The kids here, Henry and Tabs on the 'little off-roaders' as you can see add a certain marvelous something in the style and ability stakes. Something I continue to work and strive towards!!

We are so pleased to announce that we have doubled the target for fundraising, just a month in and we're just shy of £3000 already! So, £10,000 for GOSH and KidsCo - here we come! This week we're absolutely delighted to have gained the support of GB Racing (www.gbracing.eu)- crash protection gear (hope I don't need too much of that), headed up by Graham Banks. GB Racing has generously donated and their lovely logo will being going on the bikes.

This week the interview with Liz Rhodes at BBC Radio Cambridgeshire was broadcast, Monday 21st March at 12.20 and is still on iPlayer http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00fgqq7 - if you fancy a listen! I think I just about came out unscathed and sounding as if I sort of knew what I was talking about with regards to Enduro (jury might be out on that one!)?

I was also privileged to meet and be at an audience with Major Rupert Kitching and Lieutenant Charlie Pearson of the British Army. They have both served in Afghanistan and their experiences were truly humbling - both the harrowing and the exceedingly inspiring stories. One of the key messages that came across loud and clear was the undoubtable teamwork and collaboration of amazing proportions and in the sorts of circumstances that many of us (fortunately and thankfully) can't even imagine. Thanks to them and all the armed forces for all that they do.

Whilst, somewhat unlike the talents and abilities of a task force, it did get me thinking about the extraordinary things that a group of people can achieve when they galvanise and get behind something.

So, to all our wonderful supporters; TorqueRacing (www.torqueracing.net), ZeroNineMX (www.zeroninemx.com), GBRacing(www.gbracing.eu), Ocean One (www.oceanone.co.uk), The Wendy House (www.thewendyhouse.org.uk), Esse Retail & Spa (www.esse.uk.com), Special Little People (www.speciallittlepeople.co.uk), Dawson VA Services (www.dawsonvaservices.co.uk), BBC Radio Cambridgeshire and all the fabulous and generous individual donations which added together now sum just shy of £3000. Thank you so much!

And thanks of course to the team; Donna Gray, Martin Wittering, Gary Failletaz, John Kettley and Robin.

It's now just a little matter of being able to ride as competently and expertly as Henry aged 8, and learn as much as Tabs, also aged 8, did in an hour or so!