On the floor again ………until Jody helps out

Jody who owns both Widnes Local and Runcorn Local promised me some work at yesterday’s meeting and true to her word she arrived at 11am with four boxes of the excellent magazines for me to deliver around Crofton about four miles away. She paid me in advance and that absolutely saved my day as I did not have enough money for the hotel and as she was with me they asked me to settle the account. Talk about perfect timing, Jody you saved my day!

So, I spent most of the day delivering magazines but I did get to see Spain against Paraguay and the highlights of Argentina against Germany. Villa was as impressive as usual and the game’s only goal ensured that Spain will now play Germany who must feel confident after their 4-0 drubbing of the Argentine team.

Alan Higham the BNI Director for Durham and Cumbria has kindly invited me to his home on Sunday so I have survived the weekend. Let’s hope all the debtors pay me on Monday!

Great start to the day – comfortable bed, clean sheets, hot water at the Daresbury Park Hotel in Cheshire. Thanks to Marissa Hankinson and BNI Viking for organising it. It is 20 years since I was last at this hotel when it was called the Lord Daresbury and whilst I have happy memories of an awards ceremony here, I would not have recognised the old hotel. It is now a prestigious hotel, conference and leisure complex that I would highly recommend to you all. Enjoy!

Sadly I could not cuddle my pillow for too long and I was soon 20 yards down the corridor to their meeting. It was one of the very best I have been to and also one of the biggest. That is not always the case but with this chapter big IS better. Congratulations. Marissa as chapter director had also organised that the chapter photographer Andrew Collier took some photos. I was so well treated (lovely chocolate cake, Emma!) that I have made BNI Viking sponsor of the day. I was also delighted that Jody from Widnes Local had some magazine distribution for me. That should hopefully pay for a bed for tonight. Thanks all.

A friend wrote about me on an internet forum and asked me to comment on HOW I am rather than WHERE I am. I realised that I had not really covered that over the past few weeks so perhaps these words will give you an idea of how I am progressing.

I said,

“Physical – it is MUCH MUCH MUCH tougher than I ever imagined. Cycling 25 miles is NOT cycling one mile (which I guess we can all do) 25 times. Cycling 50 miles is DEFINITELY NOT cycling 25 miles (which I guess many can do) twice only. Cycling anything over 60 miles on a regular basis is NOT for the faint-hearted. Bjørn is immensely fitter than I am (and was even more so at the beginning of our respective journeys). IF and it is a big IF, I could be assured of a good clean bed, a shower and good food at the end of every day, life would be easier and the physical challenge much less.

Mental – it is MUCH MUCH MUCH tougher than I ever imagined. As Bjørn says “Cycling is not the tough bit”. He warned me I would have high “highs”and low “lows”. He was 100%correct. It is the constant hassle of trying to liaise about 300 gigs over 100 days, sort out 120 bed nights and ensuring that the blogs, FB, twitter, Ecademy, emails are up to date. It is finding wifi hotspots. (Long live McDonalds and Starbucks. Viva Great Western and Ramada Hotels) It is trying to find landline numbers so that friends can call you and so they aren’t being ripped off on international calls to UK mobiles. It is trying to keep one day’s worth of clean, dry clothes. It is keeping calm when the directions you were given by a well-meaning stranger takes you 5 miles out of your way …… and its pouring down. (*) It is constantly packing and unpacking and constantly being aware of security issues every time you run in to a shop for a water or chocolate or having to sleep with your total worldly possessions in a backpackers hostel. It is the constant fear of having your bike or panniers stolen and the incessant near misses from drivers on their mobiles or who misjudge completely distances on roundabouts

Emotional – it is MUCH MUCH MUCH tougher than I ever imagined. As some will know, two weeks into the journey, I lost absolutely everything I own in a fire in Spain. I am sitting here looking at literally every single thing I possess …. and this is carried on my bike every day. When I first heard of the fire, I could not believe it. I sat in Starbucks and then McDonalds just numb for maybe three hours. I really had no desire to go on. FORTUNATELY, I had a BIG day the following day and I would not want to let Jim down as he had made such an effort to set up appointments with his MP, a a radio station, Luton Town FC and a meal with some BNI members. If he had not organised those ……. I remember his wife kindly made me a sandwich and as a vegetarian I was horrified to find it was meat sausage ….. but I ate it. It did not seem to matter whether I ate it or not. The 3rd time in perhaps 20 years I had eaten meat ….. so what? Even now and pretty much every day, I remember things that went up in flames and have to be added to the insurance report. It’s a constant reminder that life has been good to me over 53 years and despite being a minimalist, one does acquire so much over that number of years.

I am also coming to terms with being let down constantly and continually. The two major sponsors evaporated when push came to shove and I am owed almost 900 GBP from smaller sponsors who have all been generously and genuinely thanked on my blogs etc ….but then do not cough up. What does that mean? My budget does not stretch. I have set myself a target to live on 20 GBP per day ALL IN. If the sponsors do not pay I cannot feed and water myself nor pay for accommodation. The promised accommodation did not appear this week so I am completely out of funds. After I put yet another 10 on my PAYG phone this afternoon, I found I had 2 GBP for food this evening. (The phone sponsor also evaporated in Milton Keynes!) My fault, I should have put 5 GBP on my mobile and left myself with 7 pounds for a pizza or whatever. I learn to accept responsibility. Fortunately the petrol station had Snickers on special offer so 1,89 got me 5 Snickers. Tomorrow I have a BNI breakfast and that will see me through. If the sponsors paid I would have enough almost for the end of the tour and certainly enough to live far more comfortably than the refugees. I have been quite lucky with accommodation recently but two weeks ago the refugee budget ran out again and I had to sleep in the back of a ro-ro container. Fortunately, it was only for one night and not for the months or years that refugees have to endure dreadful conditions.

I am coming to terms with people promising shirts, and boasting about invitations, appointments which do not materialise. It is all part of the journey and the challenge. Next!

So, I now realise that the challenge is not only physical but that it is mental and emotional. Realistically, I am sure I could do far more physically if I did not have the emotional and mental hassle to deal with 24/7.

So, tough? Yes. Absolutely.
Am I coping? Yes. Absolutely.
Why am I coping? I am supported by a lot of people who HAVE kept their promises and who I know are behind me. Dean “Warrior Coach” Grimshawe, Aron Stevenson, Andy Trice, Penny Power, Pernille, Ingela, Carolyn Williams, many in BNI ( I have visited 15 chapters now. RESPECT) BRX and Ed Nash, great support on the LinkedIn BNI group lead by John Coupland etc etc.

Why am I continuing? Personal pride and a commitment to support Bjørn (“Blood Brothers”) and the world’s 45 million refugees. Moreover, every day is different and I have met so many fabulous people who I try to praise on my blogs etc. Every day there is some form of highlight – a great welcome at a club, a great BNI meeting, an invitation to speak at a BRX or a rotary club, a class of children thirsty for knowledge, a bed/shower/wifi connection. Great comments on blogs, FB, twitter etc. ALL of these and more, “get me through the night” as the song goes.

Huge thanks to ALL who have supported in whatever way, great or small and I look forward to meeting many more of you before the trip finishes. With Blackpool, Burnley, Accrington and Blackburn covered this week I have now visited 34 clubs so I am now nearly half way there. By the time I get to Leeds United I will have done more than 50% of the clubs. I will be on my way “home” and looking forward to the Ecademy cricket day on 5th September in Southend On Sea where I hope to be nothing more taxing than count daisies and reflect on the previous 92 clubs and 34 BNI regions. I also hope to meet many of you there.

Hugz, un abrazo, kram, klem ….

(*Here is a plea – if you are asked directions and are not sure, PLEASE say so. I think that realistically nearly half the directions I am given are flawed or plain wrong!)

Time to say goodbye to St James Hotel after a very nice stay.

Excellent BNI meeting at Tower with some very interesting people and some good contacts for yours truly.

To name a few:

Dona Williams
Andrew Wareing
Tracy Park
Ian Smallbrook
Rachel Riches
James Allison
Janice Ryle
Rick Bell

Then off on the bike again. Tonight I have been booked in at De Vere Lord Daresbury Hotel. I am looking forward to this as it is some 20 years since I was last there. This reminded me of my happy days with the Sharples Group in Bredbury, Stockport.

Another early start and I was at my first ever BRX meeting. I have been in regular contact with Ed Nash for several weeks and I was delighted at last to catch up with him.

BRX is similar at BNI in its aims and objectives and I was delighted to meet an enthusiastic group of business owners in the prestigious Imperial Hotel on the North Promenade in Blackpool. I was shown great hospitality and I got an incredible five contacts at football clubs from no less than four members. A very worthwhile crack of dawn alarm call for me! Thanks all.

Special thanks to Ed for the introduction and to Fiona Reid from Ascroft Whiteside for going the extra mile and generously scouring her contact list.

I had a very pleasant stroll along the promenade after the meeting and recognised that Blackpool like so many cities I have visited in England on this tour has improved beyond all recognition. There is huge investment being pumped into the town and its 2500 hotels and boarding houses are clearly now catering for the needs of the guests of the 21st century. No longer are you locked out all day, the bedrooms are clean and have all the facilities we have become used to on our travels. The (in)famous Blackpool landlady who was the butt of some many Les Dawson and Bernard Manning jokes has made way to owners who know that they have fierce competition and that they are now dealing with discerning clients.

A GREAT start to the day. I get an email from my friend Graham Perry to confirm that Lorna Mclelland, player liaison officer from Aston Villa’s training ground has sent an Olof Mellberg shirt. Olof, jag tackar så hemskt mycket. Det var snällt. (A little thank you in his native Swedish if he is reading this!) So thanks to Lorna, Graham and Olof for getting my day off well. (Graham also forwarded more photos from my visits to Villa and Birmingham City . Enjoy!

Talking about enjoyment, it was a tough day in the saddle. First the short trip to Accrington where I was well received by one of the smallest clubs on my journey and then on to another Premiership club just down the road at Blackburn Rovers. After the excellent hopitality I had received all over Lancashire (Preston, Bolton, Wigan, Bury and Burnley), I was delighted that their colleagues at Ewood Park also found time to welcome me and show me around the stadium. Yes, special thanks to Rob Gill from their press office who made a special trip all the way from Ribchester to host me. Much appreciated.

From there it was across to Blackpool and if you know the area you will know that there are yet more hills to cross. Never mind, because it was so late I managed to get a good deal at the St James Hotel on the promenade and only 200 yards from my early morning appointment at the Imperial Hotel. Sadly, my refugee budget will not allow me to stay at such establishments but the welcome I received at the St James matched anything I would have got at its neighbour.

Time for bed, said Zebedee!

Sir Jack Walker

Accrington Stanley

It’s Monday. It’s a new week and I have rested up well at my friend, Mike’s home over the weekend. I have been beaten at snooker, golf and tennis and enjoyed a 7am swim and an 8am breakfast. All good so far!

…..but it gets better! I spoke to Peter Oliver in Burnley’s Media department and he immediately invited me down to the legendary Turf Moor. As I arrived, Chris Gibson (photo) approached me with a cheery “You’ll never make it on that bike!” Chris introduced himself as the Catering Manager and told me of all the cycle rides he has been involved with at the club to raise money for the club and its community programme. Last year, for example, they cycled to all the 20 Premier League Clubs. As you can imagine we had lots in common. He kindly gave me a tour of the stadium and organised a shirt. THANKS.

He also introduced me to their “Clarets Learning Zone” and within minutes I was invited to give a talk to the children later in the day about my project.

So, I changed a few plans and returned to Turf Moor in the afternoon. I spoke at “Playing for Success” which is an out of school study support programme for 9-14 year olds. It focuses on raising standards in literacy, maths and ICT skills. It is based at the Turf Moor ground itself and Burnley FC must be praised for getting so heavily involved in the project. RESPECT.

I had a wonderful time with the children and they have promised to read this and to follow me every week. They were very keen to learn all about my journey, my favourite football club and even at their age they laughed when I said Gillingham. That’s not fair! They wanted to know why I had red arms (sunburn), whether I got tired or hungry (yes!) and whether I washed (no comment!) They also listened when I told them about refugees and how lucky we all are in England. They know where Spain is and have a better idea where Sweden is. They told me which grounds to go to next (Accrington Stanley and Blackburn) and hoped that I wore my helmet all the time. I promised I would start from tomorrow. Yes, it was a fun 30 minutes and I enjoyed being with you all, children. Listen to your nice teachers and you will learn a lot. Please write to me and let me know how you are all getting on. Bye Bye Steve The Cyclist.

The “Big One” ……… England v Germany.

Really not a lot I can say…..so I will say nothing. Your comments are welcome, of course!

I am usually tired, hungry, thirsty and my whole body aches. I have no idea where I am going to sleep most nights when I wake up every morning. Well, that is not exactly true. ON THIS JOURNEY, I am usually tired, hungry, thirsty and my whole body does ache.

On the other hand, in “real life” I am normally relaxed and free from pain. A cup of coffee and a pizza are normally within reach and I have a choice of homes in Spain and Sweden. I do not have the challenges of a refugee. Lucky me!

Nevertheless, I need to rest up for a few days and one of the highlights of the tour is meeting up with long-time friend and all round good guy, Mike from Burnley. We have not worked together for 10 years and yet we have always kept in touch. He has been to Spain and now I am back with him. An immaculate house, clean sheets, wifi, running hot water, a washing machine …… and……security. Bliss! So, again, I am away from the challenges that the refugees face but just for a few days I need this sanctuary. I also need somebody to talk to – somebody who is not umbilcially linked to the project and somebody who can help me come to terms with everything that is going on.

The day started well with a great breakfast and then Mike suggested a game of golf. Now, there is more chance of me supporting Man City than turning into a golfer but I enjoyed the game and in fact had my best score in 30 years or more which pleased me. To be honest, I also had my worst score in 30 years as Mike comprehensively outplayed me. Never mind, a pleasant day on a course with great views over my beloved Pennines.

Then it was chance to catch up on my blog, follow Bjørn’s progress and deal with a pile of emails. Sadly, I fell asleep at the desk almost as soon as I started and then it was off to see the USA versus Ghana. One of the questions Bjørn and I often get asked is about how much football we watch on our tours. The answer is VERY little and I would definitely watch much more in Spain. So, it was good to walk to Mike’s club to watch a whole game uninterrupted. A deserved win for Ghana and the end of the line for the USA. A boost for African pride and long journey home for the New World players and fans ….. including Bill Clinton.

As we walked home, Mike and I did what millions and millions of football fans do every week. We speculated and opined about the next match. Gary Lineker, Kevin Keegan and Motty eat your hearts out… Mike and Steve have the real deal on England and Germany. On paper, this and this should happen and one of the teams will go through to the next round …..but football is not played on paper and what matters is what happens on the pitch at 3pm UK on Sunday.

A late night chat with a great friend, a cup of coffee and an early night. The end to a “perfect day” Sadly, a day very very far removed from the life of the refugees we are trying to assist.

One of the beauts about this journey is that every day is different. Today (Day 37) was destined to be a very different day. I woke up WITHIN the Bolton Wanderers Reebok Stadium and the “room with a view” was very different from scrap yards in Birmingham or hostels with no windows in London.

One date written in stone before the journey even started was to the Ecademy Blackstar Boardroom in Manchester. So, a double-back on my route to central Manchester to meet an energised group of Ecademists. I was able to tell my story in a boardroom setting rather than at the side of a pitch or in a hostel dormitory and was delighted with the positive response. I was asked where I was staying that night and a member offered to drive me there. Much as my aching limbs would have loved to take Ann up on that kind offer, I knew my conscience and the integrity of the tour rested on me schlepping myself to the top of the mountain that is Burnley. The meeting was hosted and chaired by William Buist and Andy Preston who were kind enough to invite me to a lively three hour brainstorming session. It was a great day and for all those in business I would definitely recommend you check Ecademy. Enjoy.

It was also the opportunity to meet up with Ecademist and friend Aron Stevenson who presented me with a “Leasing Options” shirt. Thanks to Aron and remember we would love a shirt from YOUR company, club, youth association, school or wherever. Will you be represented in South Africa on July 11?

I was sorry to have to leave the Bellingham Hotel after a very happy short stay. Victoria (photo below on steps) gets my vote as the best hotel manager I have met on the tour to date. Friendly, professional and with a genuine interest in all her guests. Definitely recommend the Bellingham to anybody in the Wigan area. I can understand why BNI Achievers are still happy there after many years of holding their meetings there.

Then it was a short cycle ride to Bolton and the magnificent new Reebok Stadium. Superb, incredible hospitality by Bolton Wanderers Football Club. Some clubs really “get” what Bjørn and I do ….. and others don’t. Bolton Wanderers really did! I was firstly greeted by Mark Alderton their Communications Director and then interviewed by him and presented to Lofty the Lion the official club mascot. Talk inevitably turned to the Bolton legends and I chipped in with Frank Worthington who is famous for “that goal”. My friend Ann Brown brought him to Spain recently and you can see a video of Frank here. Frank is as much a character off the field as he was on it. Listen to why he did not sign for Liverpool!!

After that I enjoyed a full two hours tour of the impressive Reebok stadium with official guide Dave Vickers (below). Now, I think I know “something” about football and I think I know a few people who know “something” about particular clubs. Well, we pale into insignificance to Dave. His knowledge of all things Bolton Wanderers is encyclopedic. He gets the facts over in a fascinating and easily-understood manner and on top of that he is quite simply a thoroughly nice guy. What he does he does with PASSION. He quite clearly loves his role at the club and his enthusiasm for The Wanderers and the Beautiful Game transmits to all who hear him. It was a great afternoon and a true pleasure to meet Dave. Sadly, I had to leave but I leave with very fond memories of BWFC and Dave. Mark and Dave were true ambassadors for the club and I know that I will take more than a passing interest in their results from now onwards. A huge thanks to Jennie Kozlowski for organising the day especially as she was on holiday in Cyprus! A true pro who I was sorry to have missed.