Mat Greener : Rawhide

Mat Greener : Rawhide

JOGLE Interview

After a long break from interviews Mat Greener returns with a hard hitting interview

Q: So what are you doing now?
A: JOGLE

Q: Sounds like a little run & laughing while you do it – is that the case?
A: JOGLE is an acronym for John O'Groats Lands End. I am cycling between John O'Groats & Lands End over 9 days – 961 miles. I am riding in aid of Ty Hafan children's hospice. People who wish to sponsor me can go to http://www.justgiving.co.uk/matgreener

Q: You already have quite a few sponsors. There are various comments. It does seem to be that you have picked the easy route, going from North to South – so it will be all down hill.
A: Even if there were no hills, that theory would only work if the Earth was pyramid shape – but as it is spherical with many hills – then North to South has little relevance. Think about any mountain – it will always have a base further north than its summit – does that mean it is down hill?!

Q: Let me stop you there – I am not interested in your ranting. There seem to be a lot of comments about socks would care to explain those.
A: Well that is the trouble about the youth of today all they think about are socks. The reason is on the original email I sent out I mentioned I was only taking one pair of socks; I would use them as a flannel & towel & give them to one lucky sponsor on my return.

Q: So do you mind what people write on the website?
A: As long as they give money not at all

Q: So apart from socks what are you taking?
A: 63 paper clips – if the chain breaks can make a new chain Christmas Crackers – in case the trip takes longer than planned & have to have Christmas on the road 200 small plastic balls – might do some children's parties on the way 3 plastic dinosaurs – just to play with Rugby Ball – challenge the locals to a game 20 tins of Tuna – keep eating protein 63 pints of milk – need to drink a pint an hour Superman costume – if riding gets too hard can fly Phone Lights Lock Waterproof stuff 2 spare inner tubes Toothbrush & toothpaste – to share between 3 of us

Q: You are only child aren't you & I bet your family said you were funny – sorry to disappoint you but they were lying! So essentially you are getting a free relaxing holiday!
A: Yes – except for the free & the relaxing part. None of the sponsorship will go towards my trip every penny will go to the charity together with Gift Aid & matched funding up to the first £500. Hardly relaxing – up to 10 hours in the saddle every day.

Q: So why bother?
A: Testing my cycling endurance to an extreme & to raise money for a charity – where I think 9 days hard effort for me is nothing compared to what some people go through all their lives

Q: OK get off your soap box now. How have you been preparing?
A: Strangely enough cycling. One of the people I am cycling with is my cousin. The other weekend we cycled between our houses – 133 miles & I cycled from Cardiff to my house later in the week which was 125 miles.

Q: Yeah, Yeah, Yeah – I only wanted to know vaguely – you don't have to describe every mile you have cycled. How do you take your mind of the ride?
A: Well last Thursday I got knocked off my bike – which buckled my wheel & left me bruised – so I didn't cycle over the weekend. Thought my eyesight had gone blurred but found out I had lost a glasses lense.

Q: Well usually your anecdotes are just not funny – but that was positively disturbing. How many of you are doing it?
A: 3 of us

Q: So there only 2 people in the world who are prepared to spend 9 days with you?
A: You got it completely wrong – my cousin organised it & he has agreed to let me go with him. Although, in fact, he hasn't spent more than 9 days, in total with me, in the last 10 years. His friend has never met me.

Q: So is there any chance you will stay together all the way? Have you booked luxury accommodation all the way?
A: Apart from staying a night each in both the others houses we have not booked any accommodation – we will just see where we get then find a hotel

Q: OK on behalf of everyone in the world – hope you succeed & raise a lot of money for charity.