I was up at four this morning. The sky was clear, the moon bright…my son wide awake and gearing up for a long day ahead when I arrived at his home. We loaded up the bike in the dark with its huge bag, filled with the things he will need for the next couple of days and his walking frame. The van arrived at six and I wished him luck… banned from either start line or finish as Nick set off for Clapham Common and the London to Brighton Cycle Ride. He was going it alone.
I heard nothing until around 5pm…by which time I gathered he was about ready to book into his hotel having completed the London to Brighton cycle ride, raising funds for Headway, a charity supporting brain injury victims and their families… a ride of some 54 miles (87km), which includes the challenging ascent of Ditchling Beacon, which climbs nearly 500ft in less than a mile…
Even though his ‘official photographer’ had been banned from attending, he did manage to get a few pictures, which he has sent over..including one, I believe, taken by someone who recognised him on Brighton seafront, after seeing Nick on the BBC when he rode the triathlon recently with such magnificent support from so many people; something that has a lot to do with his decsion to attempt this ride today. And succeed.
All I can say is that I am very proud of my son tonight.
Sue Vincent's Daily Echo 
He went on a long ride Sue, you have all good reasons to be proud 😀
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Considering the problems he faces day to day, this is indeed a long journey he has taken 🙂
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Congratulations Nick! And its so great to see that the support he has received has bolstered his confidence even more!
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You can sort of see that, can’t you ? 😀
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😊 Absolutely!
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🙂
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Brilliant news, Sue. Congratulations and well done to Nick.
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Good, isn’t it? 😀
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More than good!
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😀
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Bloody hell; I did that ride a few times in my thirties and it damn nearly did for me, especially the Beacon so to do it after what he’s been through and after only taking up cycling on his recumbent recently is speech-removing. Congrats all round.
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…and carrying a bag that weighs as much as a small county on the back too 🙂
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Madness! Stupendous!
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He’s good at both, apparently 🙂
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Yes! Congratulations, Nick!
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🙂
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Congratulations! Woohoo!
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Yep… my reaction too 😀
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Reblogged this on stevetanham and commented:
Nick’s heroic ride to Brighton
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Top job. I don’t envy the Ditchling bit right at the end it’s a massive bastard hill. 🙂 you must be really proud of him. Is that the Grand he’s in? The balcony iron work looks familiar! 🙂
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It is… he earned it after thatride 🙂
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I hope it was as fab as they say!
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The room service fish and chips, served on specially printed ‘newspaper’ with wine, and a gooey dessert I have the pictures:)… the concierge who was more than helpful… and the little Nick has told me so far sound as though it is indeed 🙂 And he’ll wake up to the sea from his balcony 🙂
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🙂 sounds good.
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Apparently, it was 🙂
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I would say you have every right to be proud of him. Very well done Nick, an amazing achievement indeed.
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Reblogged this on Stuart France and commented:
Congratulations Nick on another mind boggling achievement!
Va Va Vroom…
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Reblogged this on Barrow Blogs: and commented:
Nick off on his travels again. Well done that man!
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Reblogged this on Nutsrok and commented:
Reblog from Daily Echo
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Oh, that Nick! Re blogging!
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🙂 Thanks Linda 🙂
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Way to go!! Good on ya Nick 😄
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Thanks, Val 🙂
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Love the close-up, Sue. What a handsome guy. He certainly is taking off and finding his way. 🙂
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He really is, Diana 🙂
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Wow, he did it again! That is so awesome! Congratulations, Nick! So why was Mum banned? 😦
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Because he really wanted to go it alone … and he did 🙂 No safety net…. 🙂
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That makes sense. It is almost like his second childhood, having to grow up all over again, walking, talking, riding a bike. I find him so inspiring – strong lad! 🙂
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Yes, we’ve noticed that analogy, Eliza. I just hope the teenage revisitation is all about independence 😉
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Yes, let’s hope so! 😉
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🙂
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Congratulations Nick!!!!!!! I love the selfie!!!! 🙂
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Says it all, doesn’t it ? 🙂
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🙂 It does!
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Kudos to Nick!
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😀 Thanks Teresa 🙂
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Very Well Done Nick and let mum watch next time 🙂 ..Us mum’s love to be there…Sue you should rightly be proud of your independant son he is on such a rol,l it’s a pleasure to hear about his exploits and successes …What are you to follow this with then Nick? Again well done 🙂
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That is the question… where next? 😀
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and the journey continues, with an upward climb! congrats –
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Goodness knows what next 🙂
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Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
NICK DOES IT AGAIN 😀
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He puts us able bodied people to shame. Well done Nick, such a guy, you must be so proud. 🙂
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He doea, Marjorie… and I am very proud of him 🙂
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Reblogged this on Anita & Jaye Dawes and commented:
So proud of Nick’s achievements, Sue. You must resemble the cheshire cat!
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It must have been hard for you to hold back, and have him do this alone. But, oh, that selfie. It truly reveals his determination…you can see it in his eyes. Well done, Mom.☺
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I simply await his return now to hear all about it… and wonder when that might actually be, as he and his bike are over a hundred miles away… 😉
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Congratulation on completing the bike ride, Nick. I’m so sorry I was not able to attend but I was whisked away on Friday evening to the Cotswolds as a surprise anniversary present. I hope we can meet up soon. I keep saying to your mum that I’ll bring Toby over to meet Ani sometime and it’s something we must put into action.
Keep up the great work you are doing. You are an inspiration to many people.
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I wasn’t there either, Hugh.. the pictures look as though he didn’t mind 😉
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I’ll have to buy him (and you) that ’99’ on another day. He is such a fantastic role model, Sue. I can see why you are so very proud of him, and I’m sure he is just as proud of you.
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Oh I don’t know about that last bit, Hugh… and he would never admit it if he was 😉 Mums and sons, you know… 😉
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I don’t know how I missed this one. Congratulations! Yes I am congratulating you Sue. You have instilled in your son a most wonderful gift, motivation, and love. Kudos to you both. :o)
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Thanks, Patricia 🙂
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WOW…you can’t stop him now! Congrats on going it alone, Nick! Pinned to beating the odds!!
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I wouldn’t want to try, Patrick… he is doing amazing things 🙂
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Congratulations to Nick – how wonderful!
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Thanks, Helen 🙂
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And so you should be! Well done Nick!
And I have some good news to share too… Carys walked on her own today! 10 steps across the kitchen. There, I shouldnt have mentioned it, Ive set myself off yowling again. But if anyone can understand how Im feeling right now, I know it will be you.
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WHAT??? That’s brilliant news, Ali!!! Oh how wonderful! 😀 😀 😀
(Stop hogging the tissues and pass one here 🙂 ) xxx
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Lol! Im onto my sleeve now! 😁
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Doesn’t surprise me in the slightest, Ali xxx
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Wonderful achievement. Congratulations Nick.
Congratulations to you too, Mum. I bet you pedaled every mile with him, in your heart.
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I admit to watching the clock… and the news… and the phone… 😉
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Congratulations for us too. I can imagine how difficult it was to stay out go of the way!
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Just a bit 🙂 But well worth it! Thank you!
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
That is fantastic Sue and so delighted that Nick has found his legs again with that bike.. No stopping him now. Wonderful
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Very well done to you Nick You are going from strength to strength (literally)! Not only is your mum (rightly) proud of you, a whole load of bloggers are too! 🙂
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Thanks, Judy 🙂
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Congrats Nick. You’re a superstar 👍🏻😎
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🙂
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Reblogged this on THE PEN AND THE PAGE and commented:
The star shine brightens the shores of Brighton
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🙂 He’s unstoppable now – Congratulations Nick!
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Tonight I think a feather could stop him… 🙂 He has done so well 🙂
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Fantastic news, so glad he did it. Was waiting for this post 😀 ❤ What next??????
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I was waiting for his call too 😀
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Nick, you are an inspiration! Even without your Mom there and the race more or less closed to outside eyes, you had hundreds of well-wishers with you every kilometer of the way. Congratulations!
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😀
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Impressive!
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🙂
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Congratulations, Nick! 🙂
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🙂
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This is so cool ~ congratulations to you both (to Nick and then of course to his proud Mama!). Awesome…
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And indeed you should be proud, both of you! 🙂
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I am, Debby… very!
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Reblogged this on graemecummingdotnet and commented:
This is getting to be a habit…
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Reblogged this on theowlladyblog.
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Reblogged this on writerchristophfischer and commented:
Another inspirational post about Nick and his un-beatable spirit. I know it’s got nothing to do with books but I had to share this.
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Congratulations, Nick! Well done!
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Thank you, Inese!
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Congratulations Nick and all the family! To many more successes to come!
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Thank you, Olga 🙂 Let’s see what he’s up to next 🙂
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