5200 miles in a year
THE JOURNEY BEGINS!
Thankyou for joining me!
Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton
Welcome to my fundraising and cycling journey page and blog. I am going to use this page to document my cycling journey over the next year with my attempt to ride over 5000 miles. To some that may not seem much, to others that may seem crazy!
Preparing for Ride the Night May 2017
My journey so far started back in September 2017 when I signed up for Ride the Night. A 100km night ride from Windsor Race course into London and back for Women V Cancer. At this point I had not ridden a bike for over 10 years, and didn’t even own a bike.
Christmas 2017 and my new bike, my baby Claude arrived as a present from my Husband. From January to May I started training building up my miles and getting ready for the big event. In the beginning ten miles seemed like an impossibility, getting off my bike, exhausted and shaking but feeling proud. May came and went, I completed my 100km in the worst weather the uk had seen in a long time, papers described it as ‘Biblical’ but from that point I knew I had found my passion and Claude was here to stay.
In 2018 I achieved my target of 3000 miles completing my first century – 100 mile ride, a day trip over to Calais, getting caught in a snow drift, my first cycling accident and much more.
This year I am going bigger and better and setting myself a target of 5200 miles. 100 miles for each week of the year, I will hopefully be able to raise some money for charity along the way!
FUNDRAISING EVENTS.
This year I am taking part in a number of events to help me achieve my personal target of 5200 miles and also my charity target of £500.
Below are details of my cycling events coming up -
April 2019 - Cotswold Spring classic. My first proper event of the year. 100 miles along the Cotswold Lanes with over 7000ft of climbing - that gets the legs burning.
May 2019 - London Revolution. My first experience of a 2 day event. A 360 degree circular route starting from Lee Valley Olympic park, across to Windsor base camp and back to London on day 2. This event covers 190 miles in 2 days with the second day focused on hills!
June 2019 - Evans Cycles Ride it Cotswold Sportive. This event is different to all the others as it is only 20 miles. This is because my daughter Evie who is ten is riding with me. This is going to be a massive achievement for her and the longest she has ever ridden. Very proud Mummy moment coming on.
July 2019 - London to Paris. 3 Cyclists heading to Paris unsupported for a 3 day adventure. We will be covering approx 80 miles per day, leaving from the London Eye on day one and arriving under the Eiffel Tower on day 3. We are carrying all our own luggage and supplies. No crew following in a van. It’s certainly going to be an adventure.
August 2019 - Prudential Ride London 100. This event is the cycling equivalent of the London Marathon. I was lucky enough this year to gain a place on the Ballot. Last year I rode the 46 mile route and am very excited to take on the 100 this year. The route includes Box and Leith Hill. Fingers crossed we get better weather this year and not the horrible rain from the last.
September 2019 - BBB3 Nice to Barcelona. The big finish for the year! ( then indoor cycling season starts) - 6 days covering 590 miles and over 37,000 ft of climbing including Mont Vonteaux and the Pyrenees. This final event is going to push me to my limits and totally out of my comfort zone. My legs are aching just thinking about it!
Along with the official events I shall also be putting in hours of training both on the road and on a virtual trainer. All events have been paid for solely by myself so all money raised goes directly to the chosen charity's
THE CHARITIES.
This year I am doing all my cycling for 2 amazing charities.
The Ashley Scrivens Foundation have organised the Nice to Barcelona Ride. The Foundation is in memory of Ashley who sadly passed away in 2014 from an aggressive form of skin cancer. Ashley was a very keen sportsman and the foundation aims to offer grants to schools, clubs and organisations to help promote sports.
More information about the foundation can be found here - http://www.tasf.org.uk
Motor Neurone Disease Association - is the only national charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland focused on improving access to care, research and campaigning for those people living with or affected by MND.
More information about the amazing work mind do can be found at - https://www.mndassociation.org/
HOW YOU CAN HELP!
This is where you come in. Please help by donating any small amount to make these miles worth while. Every ache, pain and bit of saddle sore will be worth it if I can raise my target of £500 and hopefully much more.
https://www.wonderful.org/fundraiser/bbb3nicetobarcelona-c8140a2e
