Welcome! New readers start here....

Rory Keegan is cycling from London-to-Paris at the end of August - many people have already generously agreed to sponsor his efforts. If you haven't already done so, perhaps you'd like to join in....

Rory says: 'I'm preparing to take part in the Royal British Legion's exciting London to Paris bike ride. My chum Mr Gnome, a keen cyclist, is my trainer and principal encourager.

Huff and puff
'We depart Greenwich, London, on Thursday 30 August - and arrive at the Arc de Triomphe on Sunday 2 September.

'The route covers 277 miles. Click here for details of the itinerary.

'The event is organized by RBL and is professionally marshalled and monitored - and Mr G and I will be part of a large group of cyclists of all abilities taking part in this enjoyable, energetic event.'

Mr Gnome says: 'I have been supervising Mr K's training programme. I'm convinced that my human protégé will complete the course.'

High hopes
Man and gnome are hoping to raise £1000 in aid of the excellent work of the Royal British Legion.

Rory says: ' Why RBL? Quite simply it's a way of saying "thank you" to the thousands of men and women whose courage and perseverance ensured the freedom and relative peace that we enjoy today.'

Shameless invitation
Would you like to sponsor Mr K's effforts?

You can do so in several ways:

• Secure online service: Donate via the Royal British Legions's website
  

• Make a pledge to Rory Keegan via an e-mail.

• Or simply contact Rory and Mr G by phone or the traditional postal method and they will be happy to send out sponsor forms and further info.

Gift Aid
Mr G adds: 'If you're a UK taxpayer, please don't forget to tick the Gift Aid box - it makes such a difference - at no extra cost to you!'

And finally
Mr K and Mr G are massively encouraged by the response so far.

Thanks to the generosity of friends and colleagues, they are just over one third of the way towards their target. Hurrah!

And merci beaucoup!

Keep checking the blog for updates on training and donation totals!



Training update: 4 August
Sunny 52-mile ride today from LS to Oxford, with Mr G offering encouragement all the way.

We made it to the many-spired city at teatime. Hurrah.

We paused for refreshment at the splendid Nosebag Cafe before returning to LS on the 17:36 train.

Please note that the to-die-for lemon cheesecake was prescribed by Mr G in full sports-nutritionist mode.

He was more than a little concerned about my blood-sugar levels.

Over to the duck side?

The ducktastic weather continues with daily drenchings and downpours. Consequently, Mr G was not surprised to receive a visit from celebrity chum Duck Vader.

Mr G's mood, fortunately, is weather-proof.

He says: 'Sponsorship continues splendidly! With personal pledges and online donations, the fund stands at about £400. Hurrah!

'I'll get Mr K on to his bike at some point this weekend - come mayhem or monsoon.'

Link-up
Tip-top news. Mr G's blog has been boosted by an enthuiastic article in the 'blogosphere'. A friend of Mr K has 'written up' the ride in his very popular blog Mustard Seed Shavings.

Mr G and Mr K are very grateful to super-cool, revered (and reverend) blogger Steve Tilley.

Hurrah!

Wow!

The total-ometer is showing a few pence under £310!

Amazing or what?

Many thanks to all who have donated via

Donate via the Royal British Legions's website

And thanks, as well, for donations promised via traditional methods.

Hurrah again!

Mr Gnome is unable to control the urge to celebrate. Light the blue touch paper and retire...

No mates? Gnome mates!

Mr Gnome and his chums moved swiftly today to deny rumours of discontent in the Leamington Spa gnome community.

Mr Gnome said: 'Since becoming "poster gnome" for Mr K's Pedal to Paris ride, I've been getting a wee bit of media attention.

'In recent days I've been distressed to hear that many think "my fifteen minutes of fame" has let loose a hullabaloo of hissy fits amongst "envious" fellow gnomes here in Leamington Spa.

'This is very definitely not the case!'

Spokesgnome Nigel continued: 'As you can see from the picture, we're right behind Mr G's efforts. Tantrums? Termperaments? Such things, I'm glad to say, are unknown in gnome circles.

'We do our best to be an inclusive, mutually supportive community. You want to fish? Go fish! You like to toot the trumpet? Go toot! Mr Gnome's into this cycling thing - and we think that's great. So please, no more rumours of discontent....'

So as a busy weekend concludes harmoniously, Mr K and Mr G remind blog readers that the 'donation line' is wide open.

Donate via the Royal British Legions's website

Hurrah! And thank you!

Allons enfants de la patrie...

It's Bastille Day and generous gnome fans have already contributed more than £300 to the Pedal-to-Paris account!

Magnifique!

Mr G and Mr K are celebrating by going to Stratford-upon-Avon, where bard news is always good news. We may indulge in a slice of quiche lorraine upon arrival.

Merci beaucoup!

Donate via the Royal British Legions's website

Mr Gnome is excited...

His blog is less than a week old, but it seems to be 'doing the business'.

Kind people are logging on, finding out about the Pedal to Paris project and sponsoring Mr K and Mr G.

Hurrah!

Rory says: 'The total amount already raised is just over £230. Terrific! Mr G and I are tremendously grateful - and encouraged.'

Mr G and Mr K will be contacting all donors personally to say 'Thank you'.

Meanwhile, please keep logging on for news and updates.

Donate via the Royal British Legions's website

Mr Gnome adds: 'Donating online? Many thanks! You're a UK taxpayer? Please look to the base of the screen page and check the GIFT AID box, and instantly increase the amount of your gift by claiming back its tax element! Hurrah!'

Picture: Nothing to do with the bike ride: Mr Gnome fancied appearing in a moody, 1950s-style black-and-white shot. Sort of Gnome Gnoir....

Mr Gnome pedals to Paris - accompanied by Mr Keegan

Mr Gnome poses beside the Royal British Legion's poppy motif - to announce his plan to participate in the 2007 Pedal to Paris bike ride.

Accompanied by ageing weekend cyclist Roderick (Rory) Keegan, he departs Greenwich, London, on Thursday 30 August - and arrives at the Arc de Triomphe on Sunday 2 September.

The route covers 277 miles. Click here for details of the itinerary.

The event is organized by RBL and is professionally marshalled and monitored - and Mr G and Mr K will be part of a large group of cyclists of all abilities taking part in this enjoyable, energetic event.

Mr Gnome says: 'I have been supervising Mr K's training programme. I'm convinced that my human protégé will complete the course.'

Gnome and man are hoping to raise £1000 in aid of the excellent work of the Royal British Legion.

Follow this link:

Donate via the Royal British Legions's website

to sponsor Mr G and Mr K via the Royal British Legion's secure online service.

Alternatively, get in touch with the riders via the e-mail link in the panel to the right - and they will be delighted to send you a sponsorship form.

Thank you!