Sponsored walk

[Ian]

Long post - but not as long as the walk!

 

With the new year almost upon us it's that time when people do foolish things, both on New Year's eve due to an excess of alcohol and also in the vague hope of making and keeping some resolutions.

 

If you're intention this year is to avoid falling into these traps how about making one concession to stupidness and sign up for this year's sponsored walk to the final away game of the season? Previous year's efforts to Walton, Berkhamsted and Metropolitan Police have seen thousands of pounds raised for a combination of the football club, Supporters Trust and the Slough League of Friends charity.

 

At this stage I expect people to be falling into one of two categories. There'll be those of you who will be fumbling for the fixture lists thinking, "that seems like a good idea" and there'll be others more au fait with the end of season run in who'll be looking up the number for Social Services to have me taken away in a van by men in white coats. Yes, this season's final away game is Worthing!!!

 

When I mentioned this earlier in the season two complete lunatics actually agreed to take part with me (although I won't name them in case they've woosed out) in what is a 58 mile walk to be spread over three days, either stopping overnight on Thursday/Friday or getting a lift home to resume the following morning from the same spot.

 

Now obviously this takes a little more commitment than the 20 mile efforts of previous years, not least of all as it's spread over three days. Then there's the physical element as I know the last thing I've wanted to do after the last walks is to do it again the next day and then the next one after that too.

 

So, taking into consideration your resolutions to get fit, give money to charity and support the football club, who thinks they might be interested? I'm asking this far in advance for several reasons. Firstly, I will try and get very cheap/sponsored accommodation overnight on the Thursday/Friday if I know how many people are coming. Secondly, it gives people a chance to actually do a modicum of training in preparation. Finally, it gives me at least four months to persuade/bully/shame/con people into joining us!

 

Give it some thought and if you think you can commit to what will be a great achievement let me know on ian@sloughtownfc.net <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/top.gif" alt="" />

[Radders]

Ian you can happily name me as one of those two idiots and I am still well up for it. Bring on the walk!!!!! Would prefer the stop over suggestion rather than travel home every night as that seems to detract somewhat from the achievement. I know we will still walk as far but it just seems wrong to keep going there and back again. If we could get overnight accommodation that would be great.

[BFR]

As silly as it may sound, especially when considering the pain I was in for days after the walk to the plods last year, I'm interested in giving this a crack. Despite the distance, I think the ability to walk over several days will be easier for me than doing a huge chunk in one go against the clock i.e. getting to the match before kick off. If the bulk of the trek can be done over the Thursday and Friday, it could leave a relative stroll into Worthing on the Saturday.

 

I'll discuss this further with you at the next match Ian. It certainly sounds like a good target to build towards in terms of losing a few pounds in the new year

[Barry Scott]

count me in

[charlie]

damn it! i'd love to join in but my exams are on then... b******s

[Ian]

Quote:

damn it! i'd love to join in but my exams are on then... b******s

Huh, a likely story! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

[Ian]

I agree, Radders, I think there's a definite advantage to stopping over in terms of the overall challenge. It just means people have to make the commitment to stay away and get time off work, college, school etc. That's one of the reasons I've posted this early as people will need to consider whether they want to give up two days holiday to take part.

 

I also agree with your comments BFR. Previous walks have had to be planned to be completed by approximately 2.00 PM in order to make the game. Doing it over three days means we can start at 9.00 and finish at whatever time we like giving us three or fours hours a day longer on the Thursday and Friday. It also means if we can cover 45 miles or so on days 1 & 2 we'll only have a short jaunt to Worthing on the Saturday. I can assure you there's no beginning to the preparation that's taken place for this one!

 

Come on people, two days off work to have a laugh and raise some money? Just think of the sense of achievement when we complete it and all that money we'll raise in the process. Have a think about it after getting trolleyed tonight - it'll seem like a good idea then!

[Tuffley Rebel]

I would definately walk to Worthing over three days.

How soon can we confirm it will go ahead, because I want to be sure before I book time off work.

It won't be easy but stopovers would give recovery time, and those that walked last year should have learnt a few lessons and might remember to pack some sun block this year.

Ian, have you found a route the avoids climbing the South Downs?

[Dominic]

Yep i will be there!

[Woody SUFC]

if ya go ahead with it i'll give ya £25 <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

[GarySTFC]

Tuffers, it's definitely going to happen. Ian has had it in his mind since the fixtures were released...

 

Whilst we're on the topic though, who's still not paid from last year as we've not done the presentation yet and it was seven months ago the walk was completed!!

[Ian]

Ha, another sucker, oops, I mean another intrepid volunteer willing to put himself out for the cause!

 

The 58 mile route was taken from RAC Autoroute and takes us through Woking, Guildford, down past Cranleigh and onto Billingshurst. From there it's a straight run over the downs (crossing the South Downs Way) to the coast. That's the straightest and therefore shortest route.

 

There's really no way of avoiding it as even if we were to head from Guildford over to Crawley you'll still cross the South Downs Way and add on significant mileage to get from Crawley to Worthing.

 

As for tips from previous years, I have several, but none at this stage I'll disclose for fear of discouraging people from taking part! I shall be booking the time off straight away (Thursday 28th & Friday 29th April) so I'll be doing it even if it's on my own.

 

Routes, accommodation and prices etc. all need to be planned and I'll start doing that once I know how many are definitely taking part.

[GarySTFC]

You do a lot of things on your own though Ian!! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

 

Would love to do it, but considering I struggled with 20 to Met Police, (not trying to put anyone off here) I'll give it a miss but will be donating generously to the cause.

[brighton_rebel]

Wow i'm impressed with you lot -

maybe we could organise something from my end, say from Brighton to Worthing which is about 10 miles along the seafront for people who don't want or can't do the whole three day thing.

We could try and arrive at same time, or all meet at worthing pier for an icecream a few hours before the game

 

brighton rebel

[Ian]

Quote:

You do a lot of things on your own though Ian!! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Harsh, but true. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Plenty of time to get a bit of training in and build up those leg muscles, Gary. Just put the dance mat on 'advanced' level and play it non stop, that's my plan!

[Ian]

Quote:

Whilst we're on the topic though, who's still not paid from last year as we've not done the presentation yet and it was seven months ago the walk was completed!!

I think that's because there's two people still walking, Gary! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[richierebel]

just a thought which could be considered, that distance seems very similar to the london to brighton bike ride. Have you thought of maybe doing a sponsored bike ride, which may take the element of staying overnight out of the equation, but then i guess you have the problem of getting the bikes back! anyway just an idea.

[Ian]

Not a bad idea, Richie. Those people who feel they can't walk the distance or cannot commit to overnight stops could take this option! Anyone fancy giving me a crossbar for the last ten miles?!

[Martin]

I will be going into work Tuesday looking to see if I can get the time off. Definately keen on doing the walk and would agree with Radders that it would be better with en route stop overs although that may make the whole thing logistically more difficult. Fingers crossed I can get the time off.

[Ian]

Stopping over does make it slightly more difficult in that we need to balance distance walked in the day with somewhere reasonable to stay once we've got there. Current thinking is Wexham Park to Guildford on day one (25 miles), Guildford to Billingshurst on day two (21 miles) and Billingshurst to Worthing on the Saturday (17 miles). No problem! Plenty of work to be done before anything's finalised but I'm encouragd by the initial positive response. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/top.gif" alt="" />