Cycling around the pitch at the Warrington Wolves Game

I was really nervous as I waited to cycle around the pitch during the Warrington/Wigan game at the Haliwell Jones Stadium. I had taken my cycle down to the stadium earlier that day and the groundsman locked it in his storeroom. It felt really funny not having my bike, perhaps I’m having an unhealthy reliance on what is fact a piece of machinery. I’ve given it a name ‘gusher’. An unusual name I know but I like it. Ships have names; some people even name their cars so why shouldn't I ‘christen’ my bike? Why gusher?...sounds like knasher out of the Beano, He was an interesting character, always getting into trouble but surviving, which is what I intend to do.....back to the game....I watched the first half of the match, and very good it was. At half time I collected my bike and began to walk on the grass surrounding the pitch. I had Dawn and Ryan helping me. They were dressed in T-Shirts and were there to walk around the stadium along side me handing out leaflets. Dawn kept up but we lost Ryan somewhere in the crowd, the ladies love him..I was worried that I might have to pay a ransom to get him back but he eventually turned up. The guy with the mic read a scrip, which was nearly right, but what the heck....It was a really good experience. However I came over all shy...yes....shy and couldn't face looking into the crowd, who were clapping in appreciation, which was very nice. Apparently my niece, Lucy O’Brien was shouting me from the stands, but I couldn't hear her….sorry Lucy. James Evan took some footage on his camera, which I’ve uploaded. Sky would not let me film the event as they have the rights to do so……I know but that’s the rules. I appreciate Warrington Wolves giving me the opportunity to promote my ride.
I was out cycling on Saturday and as usual was cycling merrily away without a care in the world. I often get shouts from people in cars as I cycle along but they tend not to be that intelligent. It’s usually a wow, boo or maybe a grrrrr, but this particular passenger slowly wound down his window as he approached and softly said ‘anal bleaching. I nearly fell off my bike laughing…..thanks mate you made my day. Not that I’m going to do it but it was original and funny....I don't mind comments if they make me laugh. I had to explain to a friend what it was. The best way to explain it was to ask them to imagine what would happen if they sat in a bowl of Detol……not advised.
The days are really passing by. I’ve decided to not take a tent or sleeping bag with me….don’t worry I’m still getting them but I’m buying them in the states. I’ve been on line and there are a few good camping shops in San Francisco. It will save me taking the extra weight on the plane. I arrive there on the Friday so I will be able to do some shopping on the Saturday before I leave on the Sunday. I know it’s cutting it fine but that's what I'm usually like anyway.
I keep getting really bad butterflies as I think about the ride...lets call it nervous excitement but many people will recognise it as sh*ting myself.
I am going to put up my intended route on the website tomorrow. I say intended because I don't really know as yet what it is. I will cycle East and see what happens....that's what I love a foolproof strategy.
I've been on the Google Map page and looked at the places I will be traveling through....interesting. There are some really desolate places, but I'm not too worried about that, it's usually my association with people that gets me into trouble....I could tell you some stories. I should let you know something that I should have mentioned before...I'm not a great lover of the dark....and it's going to be very dark. Perhaps it's a childhood thing, the bogeyman and all that. When I was a child there used to be a cupboard at the top of our stairs which I hated walking past, but only during the night. Eerie sounds beckoned me as I stared at the handle waiting for it to turn but never did. I now realise that the sound was the old cistern groaning away as my mum aired her 'all in ones'. I've got a very fertile imagination and total darkness brings out the worst in me....plus I'm a bit of a mard-arse.