Well another month down and I was wondering what I was going to write about to keep you guys updated.  I have been so focused on each training ride that I didn't quite realise just how much I have been up to throughout June.  

So here it goes... 

June was kicked off with some late-night filming for a television ad' down in London.  

First thing on the agenda was some profile shots and some green screen action, so far so good.  Up next I had to ride my bike across a 12 foot long, 6 foot high piece of Perspex so that a camera could get a shot from underneath the bike as I rode it- Oh, have I mentioned it was really narrow and wet?! Having survived that though I then had to chase a truck mounted with one hell of a camera on the back!  
All in all however, it was a great experience and I can't wait to see the advert when it's finished.  I will keep you posted. 

After joining in some of the local Jubilee celebrations with my family I was off to Spain for  two weeks for some mid-altitude training, and luckily it wasn't the weather I was going for.   

I ended the training camp in Spain with a  21Km time trial and road race in Segovia.  The road race left me a little frustrated following a mechanical, which meant the remaining 60Km was very lonely, but I can't deny it was good for experience.  In the time trial however I finished 7th, just 40 seconds off 2nd place...which I felt was not bad for a first international road appearance.  

Back in the UK you may think I would have got a rest in but it was not meant to be as I had a few interviews and photo shoots lined up, including those for Men's Fitness and Live Magazine (Daily Mail), so do keep an eye out. 

On Saturday 23 June I was part of the Olympic Torch Relay through Prestwich.  

It was a fantastic day and a real honour to be selected to carry the torch (even if it did mean running!).  As my daughter said, "I'm really looking forward to London now" but in truth I know that there is still a lot of training to put in.  So I headed down to Brands Hatch, which is where the London 2012 Paralympics road racing events will be hosted.  Whilst I was there I did a few laps of the course to see if there was a possibility of being entered into the events that will take place there come London.  I found it lumpy but I reckon I have an outside chance, so watch this space. 

On Tuesday 26 June 2012 the British Paracycling Association announced the Team GB paracycling squad for the London 2012 Paralympic Games.  I'm very pleased to say that I have been selected and will be competing! You can read more about the squad on the British Cycling website, HERE.   

So, as I said there is still more to be done before the London 2012 Paralympic Games and I'm going to give it my all. 

But right now, I need to go and pack (again) as I'm off to Newport for a two week track camp. 

Hola!! Yes, Im out in Spain on a training camp with the GB Para-Cycling Team. 

But  thought I would take a bit of time out to share this article with those that may have missed it. 

"Test of ability...
For the men and women hoping to compete for Great Britain in the Paralympic Games, the traumatic
events that might have destroyed their lives have instead propelled them to extraordinary feats of resilience and determination. Gareth A Davies meets six athletes who continue to push their own physical boundaries." 

Click on the PDF Download File (below) to read the full article

APRIL

Some of you may have noticed from my tweets that I have started to think about my prosthetics and how they could possibly be improved to aid my performance on the bike.  I have said on many occasions that without the high-spec prosthetic provision I have it would be almost impossible for me to compete at such an elite level.  I’m very grateful to Pace Rehabilitation for helping me with my continued search to find the right system for my needs.  With a few ideas and a new generation of prosthetics I am currently trying out things are initially looking good.  Whether or not this proves to be a success only time will tell but, with the help of Pace, we can continue to experiment and hopefully come up with something a bit special.

In the mean time, Tameside Circuits also started in April and what a steep learning curve they have provided.  From being lapped twice in my first week to now finishing in the bunch it feels like I am actually racing, rather than just surviving!  And, in the name of fitness I shall strive to press on and keep progressing.

In between my unrelenting training sessions I also managed to catch up with Watt Bike at the National Track Cycling Centre, Manchester.  Some of the credit for my achievements to date has to go to Watt Bike.  From the initial stages of my rehabilitation at Headley Court (Defence Medical Rehabilitation Unit) following my injury to the initial selection process for the GB cycling team and use in the gym, Watt Bike you could say has been a bit of a permanent fixture.  You can find out more about the day and see more pictures (yes, I’m afraid I am in Lycra again) on their website.  

The end of April and this saw Sarah Storey invite me to ride in the Manchester and District Ladies Time Trial with her, where we won the combined prize. Nice way to end the month and certainly starting to enjoy road racing. 

MAY

Rolling into May and my first engagement was to attend Naidex National, an event which offers inspiration for independent living, at the NEC to support AKW Ltd.  It was an honour to open the event alongside Simon Weston.  

May seemed to be the month for official openings as I also had the privilege of opening a unique cycling track at Chadsgrove School and Specialist Sports College.  It really is a fantastic asset to the school and one that hopefully will inspire more young people to take up a sport. 

From one cycling track to another I was headed for a race simulation week on the boards.  Although I have enjoyed experimenting on the road it is, of course, the track where I am most comfortable.  With two 3km pursuits followed by a team sprint I feel that the first early season signs are good and I am keen to build on the training I have put in so far. 

I’m not the only one in the Butterworth household that has been putting in some training recently.  My wife signed up to do the Great Manchester 10K run on 20 May 2012 to raise money for the Royal Air Force Association (RAFA), a charity that has been there to support me with my dream of competing in the London 2012 Paralympic Games from the start.  So for once I was the spectator.   Running really does not appeal to me, so hats off to all those who completed it either as a personal challenge or those who raised money for well deserving charities.      

I can’t forget filming in Newport for an advert which will be put out by Channel 4 ahead of the Paralympics.  Jody Cundy, coach Chris Furber and I were all treated like VIP’s, with a 70 strong crew it promises to be epic so keep a look out for us! 

But really, it isn’t all about Media commitments and community events, although they are increasingly becoming a large part of the job.  With 21 May 2012 marking 100 days to go until the start of the Paralympic Games in London I really do need to continue my focus on my training, so guys I’m off for a pedal but until my next blog here you can catch a short clip of me training on the track with alongside other GB riders.   

First stop was the UCI Para-Cycling World Track Championships held in Los Angeles, 9-12 February 2012 where I was to defend my World Title in the Men’s C5 1Km Time Trial.  This was no easy task as just minutes before my effort China’s Xingyang Liu broke the record I had set the year before in Montichiari.  I knew I was going to have to fight to keep my title and this was going to be the hardest Kilo I had ever done but I went on to retain my World title and reclaim my World Record with a time of 1:07:212 and secure a gold medal in my favourite event.    

On the way back from Los Angeles I had a quick stop in London, alongside teammate Sarah Storey for a photo shoot with the Guardian (this should appear in May).  From here I went onto have a short family holiday which provided opportunity to have a brief rest from training and a chance for me to take stock after competition.  

Returning to the UK and it was full steam ahead with putting a plan together and getting back into training.  In between my bike rides and gym sessions I was able to fit in a few prior engagements.  First there was a photo shoot for the National Portrait Gallery, the results of which are expected to be unveiled between July and September.  Following that I had another quick trip down to London for a talk at a conference with the Royal Society of Medicine focusing on Military Rehabilitation, being an injured ex-RAF serviceman this was a fantastic opportunity for me.  Then on 10 March my Wife and I attended a Charity Ball along with my GB teammates Barney and Sarah Storey, raising money for Boot Out Breast Cancer.

Mid-March saw the GB Paralympic Cycling Team head out to Majorca for a 9 day endurance camp; this was a combination of longer road rides, gym work, and more intense hill climb efforts, marking the start of the final stages of preparation for the London 2012 Paralympic Games.    

So here it is guys! My blog, finally!