It Seemed Like A Good Idea - 1

Those famous words - "it seemed like a good idea at the time..." prefix so many unfortunate tales I'm hoping this really won't be one of them.
Not too long ago and for reasons I won't go into (mainly my inability to say 'no' when put on the spot) I signed up to take part in this years London to Brighton bike ride. Sounds fine, right? But then factor in the fact that I haven't ridden a bike since I passed my driving test some... 8 years plus ago. Then factor in the fact that I don't even own a bike. Now it's sounding like one of those unfortunate events.
Anywho, I managed to borrow a bike a little while ago. Although... the brakes on the back don't work, the front brakes take a small ice age to work, the front wheel feels like the bearing's loose and the saddle is... intrusively uncomfortable. And it now seems to have required a flat tire.
I am, however, determined to get this bike fixed up to a rideable standard, get a helmet to protect my head and hair and actually do this. I realise I'm cutting it fine but by putting my intent somewhere relatively concrete I'm trying to cut off my chances of backing out quietly.
I will be looking for sponsors. And some kind of physiotherapy / rubdown after the 56 miles of saddle sore riding.
More to come on the chronicles of an un-fit person preparing to compete in an endurance event or on an un-fit person making hasty excuses and backing out....