From: Sharon Powis

A message from Olivia (6) who attends the Rainbow centre and has since the age of 1. When you feel that you must have been mad to do this, and it's not worth it, just remember the real difference you are making to children with cp. Olivia would not be walking and attending main stream school without the once a week funded session we have attended. Your family will be enormously proud of you forever.  Thanks and best wishes. Sharon (mum of Olivia)

From: J. & J. Snaith

Hi Chaps, We live in Spain and have just returned from England after visiting our family. We were delighted to hear about your venture to raise money for the Rainbow Centre, as our little grandson Matthew Cooper goes there. It is amazing what the centre has done to help Matthew and I am sure many other children. Everytime we visit England we call at the centre and see the wonderful work the team do. Many thanks for your help in raising funds which are greatly needed to keep this organisation going. Good Luck to you all and take care, Jean & John Snaith.

From: David Swanbrow

Heartiest congratulations on completing your mammoth ride. It was a very
worthwhile cause, and I am sure that you will know that you have achieved so very much for the Rainbow Centre and also for yourselves, as how ever hard it was at the time you have achieved something that I suspect very few others have done.

Well done.

Yours sincerely, David Swanbrow (Mayor of Fareham)

From: John Briffett

A job well done. By now the families of those who came to New York will have been united. It is great that they planned an extensive effort, put up with whatever they came across, continued to move toward their goal of doing what they set out to do and were able to raise, unselfishly, money for the Rainbow Centre. A terrific undertaking and fortunately a completion of their goal. Best wishes to Nick and the others for attempting and completing their goal. Best wishes, John & Betty

From: Martyn Webb


Well done fellahs, a good job well done. Hope you are enjoying your well earned rest and reunion with your families. Managed to secure £200 so far. See you when you get back Best wishes Martyn Webb (Love from Pat Nick)

From: STEPHEN GOLDING

Hello EVERYONE! I am Eniko one of the condutors working with the children at Rainbow.We were amaized to hear about your effort to raise money for our charity. We have just finished the first half term as you are finishing your ride.I hope you had just as much fun in the States as we had being withe kids in these past 7 weeks. Some of us already met with your wives,but I hope we will all have a chance to meet in the close future. Have a safe journey back and thank YOU again.

Eniko Kocsis

From: Eric Nixon

Hi,  Have spoken with Lion President of Port Chester & she tells me that she has met with you & is looking forward to tomorrow ( 24th )

Hope you have a lovely day & a well earned few days rest with your families before you return to UK. Looking forward to a meeting with you then.

PAT NIXON  Lions Clubs International 105D

From: Edye Marvin

This message is for Paul and Simon:

I am the solo cyclist from Pacific Grove, California, who talked with you on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. I believe that was on Monday October 11. Congratulations on your accomplishment. That is quite a feat and all for a good cause. It must have been a great experience. I hope you found some things to your liking in this large country of ours. Keep cycling.

Charlie Marvin

From: DDB Physiotherapy

Hi Guys, Well you have made it, very well done.  Im sure you will have a bit of a celebration and have a drink on us. Al can pay out and get it back from us when he gets back. We are soooooo  proud. x
Mum H

From: John Hibbert

Our son Thomas attends the Rainbow Centre regularly and has done so for the last two years. There's no doubt that he's changed a lot during that time.

All this is largely a result of all the hard work done by the staff there. They, in turn, would be unable to do anything at all without the hard work of your own fundraising efforts.

Many, many thanks for your support.

Keep on peddling,

John and Anne Hibbert

From: Andy Gudgeon

Lads, Our daughter Lucy attends the Rainbow Centre and it has completely transformed her life. The Centre and all the staff deserve all the help and support they can get. In this day and age, it is so good to see the basic trait of human kindness and a willingness to help those less fortunate than ourselves is still very much alive. Thank you so much for all the blood, sweat and tears that I am sure you will be going through. Kay and Andy Gudgeon

From: Nicki

Dear Barney, have been reading about your efforts and think you and the guys are amazing, doing what you are doing and for the best of reasons. You'll be glad to know Southsea nick is the same as ever and as we enter the good ole english winter the rain and wind is going full force, so am sure you are in the better place! Keep up the hard work and enjoy every moment. Am amazed by your energies and committment. Take care, Nicki CID KS

From: Chris Boyce

Hi Simon What a fantastic adventure, can I come when you do the return journey? You don't mind if I use a motorbike do you? Good luck, and I'm sending a cheque to your worthy cause.
Best Wishes Chris Boyce

From: Richard

Hi Alan, Had long telephone conversation with your mom last nite (13/10/04). she filled us in on your progress.  We think it's fantastic what you and the other boys in blue are doing.  Hope you're not too saddle sore and the Gel Saddle cover we bought you for your 30th has been of use ( perhaps it's a good job Nick was pregnant before you left!!!!).  That finish line is nearly in sight now- keep going and look after yourself.  Look forward to catching up with you when you return Lots of love from Helen, Richard, Luke & Kyara  XXXXXXXX

From: John Briffett

Please say hi to Nick. Sorry we were out when he called this morning. It is great that they are 1-1/2 day ahead of schedule, it will give them a chance to perhaps look around in Washington DC. Tell him I have sent a check to Fareham. It was the least I could do to support their great effort across the country. I will email Linda & Greg and tell them of the news. Bloody well done. John & Betty Briffett

From: Ryan Crawford
Subject: Message for AL

Keep going big boy, we are thinking of you lots. You missed a good boat show party but we are keeping a couple of cool ones for you in the fridge.

See you soon
All your mates from Andark

From: John Lueck

Believe you were forewarned about banjo playing and fiddles fiddling....... sounds like it came close to the real thing in Christianberg, Virginia! What a marvelous adventure!! Color me green with envy! Had hopes of a second try to catch up with you ... this time out east but the motorcycle is still waiting for a rear tire. Wanted to thank one and all for allowing me (and others)  to join you via the web. Here's a tip of the hat to you!! John Lueck Brookfield, WI USA

From: Ged Donnelly

Hi lads, Think it's fantastic what you are doing. I organised a sponsored cyle ride from Stanmore ,Middlesex to Southampton where my nine year old son is being treated for bone cancer. Most of the riders (40) struggled to do the 100 miles so I cannot imagine what 4000 must be like!! We managed to raise just short of £25,000 for the Piam Brown ward and Royal Nat Orthopaedic hospital so I'm confident you will reach your target. I am in New York city from the 25th Oct til 30th Oct with my other son. Will you be around - would be great to buy you all a beer!! Ged Donnelly Locks Heath, Hants. www.therideforlife.co.uk

From: Linda Forster

Hi Guys,  Great to see you are having such great adventures on your trip across my former country.  When you get to Charlottesville, VA make sure you have some time to visit Thomas Jefferson's home at Monticello - it's worth a visit.  And the monuments and sites in DC are also worth a visit.  The inner harbour area in Baltimore has a fantastic aquarium - much bigger than Blue Reef here.  Just sad to see you're not visiting Michigan where I came from.  Keep up the good work and I hope those Americans reach deep in their pockets to support you and the Rainbow! Linda Forster

To Paul and the rest of the Boys in Blue
From Richard, Suzi and Lilia:

Hi Guys,

It's great getting the postcards and , of course, reading about your progress on the web site. Makes my Sunday cycle rides through Windsor Great Park seem like a peddle round the garden! We're really proud of you and can't wait to hear all the details - you can even show us your cycle rash! Hope the card games/chess etc come in handy on your days off. Read about your ‘heroic'exploits with regards to the fire on a campsite that occurred before you left– my Brother the Hero! What will you do next – conquer Terrorism and free the world from poverty! Dad can't stop talking about you to all his mates and sends his love. I spoke to Lorns recently and she is great but looking forward to your return and Ben seems to think he'll be able to beat you in an arm wrestle by the time you're back. Once again, really proud of you Bro and can't wait to see you again. Best regards to the team.

Rich

Hi Team!

Sorry we haven't e-mailed you before but we've been really busy sorting out the new building. Now we've moved in and settled we've more time to send you messages.
We've been checking your progress regularly and were delighed to talk to the people that you met from Fareham.
I expect you already know that we've set up a mini open day to which your families have been invited. It's due to take place this Saturday so that the people with jobs can hopefully make it. It's also a thank you to all the volunteers that helped us paint and refurbish the new centre.There was a small army of them!
Believe it or not we had leaks in the roof when it rained here too but thankfully they have now been fixed - the roof is in slightly better condition than Quay Street!
Jeff at The News has been doing a great job getting your progress published.
There are regular articles going in. We've had a trickle of donations coming in through this publicity (we've notified Uniworld of these) - I hope things are going well for you over there with donations. How are the US Lions clubs shaping up?
The children are very happy here and although there is less room than before, so are the staff.
We look forward to your return and hope we will see you as soon as you can spare the time to call in. I'm sure we can get Jeff and a photographer to cover that!
Stay safe
With best wishes
Helen and the Rainbow Staff, children and families

Hi Nick  

Martyn & Pat Webb send best wishes to you, and all the "Bobbies" on bikes. You are doing a grand job and we are very proud of you. Martyn is working had to make some funds for you,he was due to go into print this week and before doing so, he sent copy to Mrs Morgan to proof read just as well he did as he had put down that Nick had cycled 400 miles in one day !!! this should have read 104 miles! This was quickly amended just as well as "The Guinness Book of Records" would have been on the case. Take care you are all heroes !!!

Pat & Martyn Webb Gosport Hampshire 

Subject: Hi Simon
Well done on getting so far and on schedule!

I am very impressed with all the hard work for a great cause and will be sending a cheque this week.

Keep going! I know that Denise and Ethan are excited to see you in NYC.

Nigel Norman

Subject: Message for Simon
Hi Dad

I'm really missing you. Where are you so far and do you feel fit?
I am staying with Alicai & Sandy. We are watching the football and going to the Mop Fair in Marlborough this afternoon.
I have been having a lot of fun and looking forward to seeing you in New York.

Love from Ethan

Simon, Nick, Paul and Alan

Just a quick message from me and Jo (parents of Matthew Cooper – our little lad on sticks on the Rainbow home page) to say thanks for what you are doing to support Rainbow – great effort and money that the Centre really needs. You cannot believe the difference that Rainbow has made and continues to make to Matthew's life (and ours also). Keep at it.

Thanks

Brett Cooper

For Al and the boys.

Well done all, received your diary it only took 15mins to print off and an hour to read, had a few giggles at some of your antics.  Miss you and look forward to the updates both on the webb and home.  Go careful and TRY to get home in one peice.  Mum & Dad Hockley

Well done Simon and all of the team. Good luck, keep going. You are very much missed here. I'm enjoying looking after the boys for you. See you soon and have fun in New York. xxxx

I've been watching your progress on the Rainbow website and you seem to be doing well on your schedule and dodging bears, scorpians, rattlesnakes and motorists.  Needless to say, I think it's good that you are avoiding Florida!!  I've arranged to park your RV in Port Chester on one of their park grounds.  The town is excited  and all set for the official arrival on Oct 24th.  Good luck, I will see you on the 24th.

Hi Simon
Its good to hear about your progress - sounds like a fantastic experience so far.
Just want to wish you continued good luck and speedy peddling. Have a great time.
All our love, we can't wait to see you in NY.
Love Amanda, Paul Mum and Dad.

Hello!  We are the bikers you met on the ferry from San Francisco to Vallejo and are hoping you are having a great ride.  We are riding our bikes to Virginia, and are in Ridgeway, CO right now.  Hope you have better weather than we just did as we came down a mountain this morning in the rain!  www.wildernessinquiry.org - Jenni and Amy

Will be in touch with any further info

Thanks for sharing a meal with the Griffith's in Pueblo West! We
thoroughly enjoyed the company and will keep track of your progress.
Cherish the view of the Rocky Mountains while they're still in your
sight! the terrain get's painfully flat from here on out. (;>)

Enjoy your adventure and best wishes.
your friends in Pueblo,
Hud, Barb, Bailey & Van

I've been watching your progress on the Rainbow website and you seem to be doing well on your schedule and dodging bears, scorpians, rattlesnakes and motorists.  Needless to say, I think it's good that you are avoiding Florida!!  I've arranged to park your RV in Port Chester on one of their park grounds.  The town is excited  and all set for the official arrival on Oct 24th.  Good luck, I will see you on the 24th.

From: John & Betty Briffett, Newport Beach, Calif.

Been following the riders and finally enjoyed an update recently. I guess the news section offers the most of what they are doing. Have kept in touch with Nick's wife, Linda and son Greg. The family and Nick's parents in Shirehampton are old friends of ours and we are happy that they have made progress, even going over uncharted roads. Was hoping my son, who lives in Lake Tahoe, could have met them, but he was on his way to Yellowstone Nat'l Park. Give our best to Nick and the others. We are looking forward to sending a check to the Centre. Congratulations to all for making such an effort.  Sincerely, John & Betty Briffett, Newport Beach, Calif.

From: Ronald L Wallace

You boys sure have your work cut out for ya. When you're in the midwest
(St. Louis, MO area) maybe I'll see you. If you email me before hand,
maybe I can get you an interview on a local radio station. Ron

From: John Lueck

Thought the boys might be interested in speedy cycling! Hope this doesn't remind them of work!! Also, they appear to be following portions of the Old Santa Fe Trail. Much much history along this route. Chevington, Colorado is near the site of an Indian massacre... believe it is called the SandCreek Massacre or some such. I've driven parts of this and they have their work cut out for them. No rain. Wind at the back. And a couple of cold ones at rides end.

John

Minnesota Trooper Writes 205 MPH Ticket


WABASHA, Minn. (Sept. 21) - With a State Patrol airplane overhead, a motorcyclist hit the throttle and possibly set the informal record for the fastest speeding ticket in Minnesota history: 205 mph.

On Saturday afternoon, State Patrol pilot Al Loney was flying near Wabasha, in southeastern Minnesota on the Wisconsin border, watching two motorcyclists racing along U.S. Highway 61.
When one of the riders shot forward, Loney was ready with his stopwatch. He clicked it once when the motorcycle reached a white marker on the road and again a quarter-mile later. The watch read 4.39 seconds, which Loney calculated to be 205 mph.
"I was in total disbelief," Loney told the St. Paul Pioneer Press for Tuesday's editions. "I had to double-check my watch because in 27 years I'd never seen anything move that fast."
Several law enforcement sources told the newspaper that, although no official records are kept, it was probably the fastest ticket ever written in the state.
After about three-quarters of a mile, the biker slowed to about 100 mph and let the other cycle catch up. By then Loney had radioed ahead to another state trooper, who pulled the two over soon afterward.
The State Patrol officer arrested the faster rider, 20-year-old Stillwater resident Samuel Armstrong Tilley, for reckless driving, driving without a motorcycle license - and driving 140 miles per hour over the posted speed limit of 65 mph.
A search of speeding tickets written by state troopers, who patrol most of the state's highways, between 1990 and February 2004 shows the next fastest ticket was for 150 mph in 1994 in Lake of the Woods County.
Tilley did not return calls from the newspaper to his home Monday. A working number for him could not immediately be found by The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Only a handful of exotic sports cars can reach 200 mph, but many high-performance motorcycles can top 175 mph. With minor modifications, they can hit 200 mph. Tilley was riding a Honda 1000, Loney said.
Kathy Swanson of the state Office of Traffic Safety said unless Tilley was wearing the kind of protective gear professional motorcycle racers wear, he was courting death at 200 mph.
"I'm not entirely sure what would happen if you crashed at 200 miles per hour," Swanson said. "But it wouldn't be pretty, that's for sure."

From: Lynne Brechin

Hi boys .............
Just want to say, keep up the good work. I'm with you all the way by map and thoughts. When you get a down day, think of a nice cold beer and seeing all your family in New York. You are doing a great job. Hope your bums aren't toooooooooooo sore, ha ha ha
Lynne Brechin, Paul's sister-in law Toledo Ohio USA.

From: John LUECK

Hello Paul.
I'm an avid cyclist. Been so for about 20 years now Most of the cycling I do is urban, however, I do get out in the hinterlands on occasion.  I think you'll have a wonderful journey. Have met many cyclist that have gone cross country, some solo and self contained, and every one had good things to say. Will be looking forward to reading about the "big adventure."

John

The team at www.document-genie.com would like to wish you all the best for the cycle ride.
XIS, Portsmouth

From: DANNY MARKS

Good luck on your forthcoming bike ride across America, 3800 miles is a long way.

Here are a few tips for travelling in America.

1 If you are riding out in the sticks and you hear Banjos playing  for god's sake pedal as fast as you can, don't worry about your mates as it's every man for himself.

2, If you get caught by a Bear, do not think that if you play dead the Bear will leave you alone. (They have all read the books and have got wise to this trick)

3, Under no circumstances greet a native Indian with the phrase 'HOW' whilst raising your right hand. They find this highly offensive and are more than likely to cut off all your hair and hang you by your nipples.

4, If by chance the Indians warm to you and invite you around their camp fire, do not participate in smoking their pipe of peace. This is a very strong type of exotic tobacco and smoking it may make you liable to 'funky dancing' later in the evening. This will leave you too tired to continue the bike ride the next day.

5, When travelling through a City do not stop for anything, not even traffic lights, Police Officers etc.If you do stop you are more than likely to find the wheels of your cycle missing when you try to pedal way.

6, Never carry a small package of talcum powder across America for a bloke called Mac who you met at the Airport. If caught with this package you might find you self staying in America a little longer than you planned.

I will sponsor you £10 for the ride but you will have to prove that you completed it before I pay out. This can be done by taking photos of you by prominent landmarks on route. A few suggestions would be, The Statue of Liberty, The Mississippi Delta, The Empire State Building, A herd of stampeding buffalo, The 'Hollywood' sign, Yourself playing poker in a San Francisco Casino, The inside of a Los Angles strip bar. Also a photo of you crossing the finish line with George Bush clapping you on would ensure payment.

Hope you have a good time.

Danny.

P.S.  Please can you bring me back some duty free. 1000 Benson and Hedges, 50 Large Havana Cigars, 3 litres of Whiskey and a set of those headphones you can get on planes. If you can't fit them in your saddle bags don't worry.
Danny Marks