Posted: August 27th, 2010 by Bob
The Mixd team spent an afternoon going back to our evolutionary roots at Go Ape’s Dalby Forest operation. Hanging around in trees, beating our chests, singing ‘The Funky Gibbon’ and scratching our… noses.
As part of the Mixd mantra ‘play well together, work hard together’ we like to get out and about in this beautiful County of Yorkshire from time to time and do things that excite us, challenge us, and even scare us… mentioning no names, Bob! Some call it team building; we call it good fun. The Mixd outing to Dalby Forest was no exception. From challenging rope bridges, through Tarzan swings, to 140 feet high zip lines, the Go Ape experience didn’t disappoint. If you’ve done it, you’ll know what we’re saying. If you haven’t, it’s hard to explain… the video will give you so much more than words can!
Members of the Mixd team were full of enthusiasm:
“Brilliant, fun day – enjoyed the tarzan swings and zip lines!” Dave
“No messing around. This is serious business.” Matt
“A great way to spend an afternoon – an exciting challenge and amazing surroundings.” Mike
“Who do you think you are… Harry Houdini! Still makes me laugh now!” Phil to Bob
“Me Tarzan. You Jane.” Bob to (a running scared) Phil
Posted: August 23rd, 2010 by Phil

I just wanted to say a huge thanks for all the support and the money raised from the British Heart Foundation’s South Downs Way Randonnée that I took part in a few weeks ago. I think I’ve just about recovered now!
I’m pleased to say I completed all 100 miles in a total time of 11 hours and 23 minutes; nearly an hour quicker than last year! Getting up a 4am to start this ridiculously long bike ride is not great – trust me! Not only that but I had decided to cook porridge on a small camping stove in the hotel room. The first problem therefore was to avoid setting off the fire alarms so early in the morning… which I just about managed.
The 100 mile (161km) route runs from Winchester to Eastbourne covering the entire length of the South Downs with a staggering 3,550 metres of climbing! It’s a tough route and a great test of endurance but also a thoroughly enjoyable event for a great cause.
I am very happy how the day panned out (and especially bewildered at being the 5th entrant to cross the finish line!) and very grateful to everyone for everything! If you’ve not yet shown your support you can still sponsor me online.
Posted: August 23rd, 2010 by Phil
So here I am, gutted by the result of my first ever mountain bike race that I took part in this weekend. Whilst I managed to complete three laps of a very tough course, I never completed the official four laps required for my “Master” category. On crossing the finish line after my third lap I was promptly told “You’re finished mate!”. The fact is, I had been finished since the first climb and in a stubborn fit of rage I had pushed on and refused to dismount until the four laps were complete. I did not want the letters “DNF” (Did Not Finish) marked against my name on my first ever race! But it simply never occurred to me that I could and would be pulled from the race altogether after only three laps for not being quick enough!
Fresh from my success in the British Heart Foundation Randonee and with encouragement from other cycling friends, I had decided to have a go at cross country racing. Which is why I found myself in a field, somewhere in Swaledale, on a bright and windy Sunday morning. The race is part of the Nutcracker series and I have to say was very well organised. My morning consisted mostly of watching other riders go through their pre-race preparations whilst I became increasingly nervous!
I came across an article in a recent copy of “The Ride” and thought the words really made sense with how I feel about the event;
“Most, if not all, writing about sport focuses on success. That’s what it’s all about isn’t it – success? Failure, though? The ugly twin brother. No one is interested in the also-ran, the quitters and the losers, are they? I’d like to challenge the above assumption and received wisdom though. I truly think we can learn from our mistakes when it comes to competition. I’m not just talking about throwaway remarks such as ‘try harder next time’. No, I’d like to show how the very objectives we set ourselves in the first place are the key to success or failure.”
My rationale was that I’d finished the 100 mile Randonee and I could do anything if I had the right plan of action. I had trained hard, prepared well yet still I simply could not deliver.
“So what did I learn. What wisdom can I impart? It’s about targets. We are all architects of our own success, simply by choosing the objectives to set ourselves. My failing was not that I hadn’t worked hard enough, hadn’t tried hard enough or hadn’t invested enough time or passion into the endeavour. No, it was simply that I set myself an unachievable goal given the point I was at. So my lesson learnt is to choose wisely. Goals met are a joy to the soul, goals failed, even though you gave your all, are a crushing weight.”
Posted: July 16th, 2010 by Matt

Many of you will know Beardy Bob as the Producer here at Mixd, dedicated to your project. However, he does have a life away from Mixd and one of his major passions is music… and in particular his band, The Bobby Sunshine Revival Band.
On Thursday 12 August 2010, the band will be taking to the stage in Leicester as part of Summer Sundae Fringe Thursday 2010; a warm up to the Summer Sundae Weekender Festival. Fringe Thursday was started back in 2006 to showcase up and coming bands to the festival going public and also to raise money for local Leicester charity, LOROS. Since then it has grown to be a festival in its own right, attracting over 2,000 punters and raising over £7,000.00 for the charity in 2009.
Fringe Thursday 2010 sees over 40 bands performing over 9 venues and The Bobby Sunshine Revival Band will be gracing The Donkey Stage (time TBC). A recent performance at The Donkey for ‘The Sunday Sessions’ can be seen below.
So, if you’re Leicester way or heading down there for the festival, Bob and the band would love to see you. A £5 wristband (all proceeds to LOROS) allows you access to all 40 bands, across all 9 warm-up parties, including transport between the venues!
The Bobby Sunshine Revival Band was formed from the ashes of 1990’s garage rock band Bobby Sunshine and the Rainbows by lead singer Bob Tait, working to the Leon Russell mantra “it’s a hippy commune bona fide”. The band brings together great musicians from Ipswich, Leeds, Leicester, Manchester, North Yorkshire and Teesside (and occasionally New York!) with the same common denominator… to put a new twist on old classics and to entertain themselves as well as the crowd!
Ever since the latest incarnation collided through the Cosmos in 2005, the Sunshine guys have been exciting audiences throughout the UK at hand-picked festivals, bars, happenings and clubs, playing their own mix of boozy, bluesy cosmic rock n roll, full-tilt boogie-woogie and soulful groove.
Loved by gig-goers, party animals and venue owners alike, comments include: “They’re like the World’s greatest pub jukebox… but better!” and “All thrillers, no fillers!”.
The band has become a favourite at The Donkey in Leicester and will be taking to the stage there for Summer Sundae Fringe Thursday 2010… and the guys will no doubt have some special guests up their floral sleeves.
Enjoying the mystique, the talented group of musicians rarely promote themselves, relying instead on word of mouth referrals; however, they can be found on Facebook by searching ‘The Bobby Sunshine Revival Band’.
Posted: July 9th, 2010 by Bob
As this Summer’s sporting festival of football, the World Cup, draws to a close, the British Heart Foundation stands to win £50 if Spain are crowned World Champions.
Before the World Cup started, Mixd undertook a sweepstake, donating 6 places to the British Heart Foundation (BHF). The draw was conducted under unprecedented security in the Mixd office and notable events included:
So, as we get down to the last two teams in the World Cup, the BHF is to do battle against Chris (a friend of Mixd) on Sunday evening. With a prize for the runner-up, the BHF is guaranteed at least a tenner!
And if Paul the psychic octopus is to be believed, £50 will be added to Phil’s sponsorship for the South Downs Way in aid of the British Heart Foundation!
Good luck! Just a shame it wasn’t England really…
Posted: July 9th, 2010 by Bob

Once again this year, our very own endurance athlete (think Lance Armstrong… and then some!) will be taking part in what is known to many as the toughest off-road mountain bike endurance event in the UK – the British Heart Foundation’s South Downs Way Randonnée – on Saturday, 31 July 2010.
The 100 mile (161km) route runs from Winchester to Eastbourne covering the entire length of the South Downs. The route profile includes a staggering 3,550 metres of climbing (that’s nearly 12,000 ft!) and is regarded by many as one of the toughest one day mountain bike endurance events.
Keen to improve on his time from last year (you would be right in thinking it’s not a race!), Phil has been working hard and this year is aiming at a ride time of under 12 hours.
Phil commented, “It’s hard work! I know most people think the South Downs Way is relatively flat but you’re wrong! Twelve hours riding in scorching heat as we had last year was a real test of endurance. It’s not just about the physical ability to ride the distance, you’ve got to consider how your body is going to react! Trust me, sitting down after the ride proved difficult! If you are an off-road cyclist you can’t miss this demanding, yet exhilarating ride. There’s a real buzz between the riders, plus the scenery is truly breathtaking.”
The British Heart Foundation says “Get your own heart healthy whilst helping us fight heart disease – the UK’s single biggest killer.” So why not get involved? At the very least, send a few pennies (or pounds) Phil’s way by sponsoring him… please.
I’ll get a nice soft cushion ready for Phil’s return to work.