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 This section will grow with time. Below you can read about training progress, other Fireflies events and news live from the ride. Consult the archive on the right to view archived messages. |
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| A cautionary tale! So there I was, happily in a world unto myself, starting my bank holiday Monday with a long ride through the downs. The sun was out, the birds chattering, a gentle breeze, no traffic and I, enjoying the fruits of my training, was keeping quite a pace. All told, a very civilised affair. Heading south along a fresh swathe of jet-black dual carriageway I passed a lone cyclist waiting for something or someone. Passing, I asked him if he needed any help? "No I'm fine thanks... Actually! Do you know the time?" I turned back to answer and as I rotated forward again I was struck by an odd feeling that something was amiss, next came a crunching grinding sound and in that split second I realised that the chain had jumped the pedal set and rapped itself around the bottom bracket jamming itself between the frame, completely freezing the pedals. If I'd been looking forward at this point I probably would have been fine, but I wasn't. My balance evaporated, the bike danced, the front wheel dug into the skid ditch, twisted and as the bike spat me off and up at somewhere around 20 mph I unwittingly performed a "superman", quite a good one by all accounts, one arm outstretched and everything! Now, at this point, if this was a film script time would freeze my mid air extravaganza, mouth agape, my last conscious thought being "Oh Shit! This is going to hurt" written all over my face! Next, in a "Hudsucker Proxy" moment, we would jump back in time to my hallway earlier that morning when, realising that I had forgotten to adjust my jumping chain set, I decided that I couldn't be bothered to do it now "I'm sure it won't be a problem". More importantly though, we would witness my last moments in the house debating whether or not to wear the helmet, which I find claustrophobic, especially if its hot. Cutting back to my new status as a projectile, time is started again, I hit the razor sharp tarmac head first, only managing to get a little finger out to protect the fall, which the uncaring road surface duly chastised by removing a couple of fleshy chunks. After the bone crushing sound of my head impacting, came the top and back of my shoulder followed swiftly with the hip as I slammed, slid and then rolled. Coming to a stop sitting on my ass in a lotus position facing the grassy bank. My first thought looking at my crossed feet was "I was right! It does F**king hurt!" And how! One of those moments when you just have to sit and wait patiently for the worst of the pain to come. In my dazed state I hadn't even realised that my steed was residing halfway across the 1st lane, which the other cyclist kindly rescued. So the big question is "did I wear the helmet? Yes! Is the answer, I'm absolutely convinced that I wouldn't be writing this cautionary tale if I hadn't. I hit my head so hard that it destroyed the helmet, which did its job admirably as I have not a scratch above the neck. Unfortunately, some of my birthday suit now resembles a landing strip for sand paper, plus damaged muscle, bruises, and two days off work licking my wounds feeling like every muscle in my body had tried to commit "Hari Kiri" and botched it. I have a new found respect for said annoying head gear, needless to say I bought another helmet this morning and my Moral is obvious Please, Please, PLEASE! Don't underestimate for one moment protective gear. It WILL save your vitals and more. I love my new bonce protector! Posted by Barry Wallis on . |
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 Your donations are important to us. There are different ways to make one. You can either fill out a form and send it out with a cheque, or you can make a donation to Leuka online. Read more first Download the donators form Make an online donation |
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 This year we are hoping to raise a minimum of £100,000 and whilst we recognise individaaul donations as given above integral to this cause, we also consider corporate sponsorships as key to achieving this goal. Unprecedented interest in the Fireflies offers sponsors an exciting platform for promotions and branding. See who is currently sponsoring us and find out how you can become a sponsor. |
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 The Fireflies' arrival into Cannes has generated great support from the advertising industry and culminates with a hero's welcome at the Palais des Festivals. |
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