Drugs aren't just for Olympic athletes - a serious message

I thought I would share with you all about the dangers and temptations of taking drugs to improve performance, at any level of sport. Something that, shamefully, I have been tempted and partaken in in recent weeks.

I am not asking for forgiveness, just for a little understanding of the pressures everyone is under to be able to complete this ride and the lengths I have gone to to try and make this happen.

I would also like to remind everyone that I am clean now and have not taken any substances for over a week.

Can I also say, my co-riders have not been aware of what I have been up to and I would like to apologise to them all.

It all began over a month ago and I had been feeling very tired on what I considered to be short rides. I just couldn't get going or seem to develop any stamina for the rides.

I wondered what I could do to help me with my symptoms which had become almost cold / flu like and then before a ride it all got too much... and I took a Lemsip....

I know I shouldn't have done it, I know I am only cheating myself and do feel really bad about it now but at the time i was buzzing, it made the ride very slightly easier and I even had the energy to skip through a puddle. I was out of control..

The come down that night was bad, but all I could think about was the buzz.. I couldn't wait for the next ride which was only a few days away..

And so it happened again, I took another, new stronger Lemsip, this time it was Lemsip Max Menthol, I knew insde I was getting further out of control but I didn't really care.. The riding became slightly easier again.. It couldnt be the better fitness from previous, it had to be the drugs.. I could see the look on Rich, Jim, Sport and Carls faces as I rode, they could see how strong I was in the saddle.. I was unstoppable.. I was uncontrollable.... I wanted another and another Lemsip (no less than 4 hours apart and no more than 4 in one day)

Then we finished the ride and went for a pint....

thats when the guilt started nawing away. Here I was with my really good mates talking about how were a team helping and supporting each other and here I was lying to them.. Well thats when I realised I had to stop.. My cold had gone away..

remember.. dont do Drugs... Unless you have a cold and fancy a lemsip..

PS - it was reported in last weeks Liverpool Echo that fish were found dead on the banks of the Mersey with syringes sticking out of them..

They were Drug Haddocks!!!