It's so much more than a bike ride ...

I am proud to say that we are celebrating our 13th year of this highly successful cycle challenge. Following the pandemic , is has been difficult to re launch this ride due to all the uncertainties that have surrounded covid , the rules and keeping people safe. 

This last year the Coast to Coast group have been enjoying some really nice weekend adventures away in The Dales, Peaks and the Lake District, reviving rides and enjoying post ride banter together.

So , although there may be a few less riders joining on this years event , as it has all been a bit last minute , we are so pleased that we are back in the collective saddle and raring to go this weekend to give it our all to raise as much money as we can for this much needed charity.

This is a time to celebrate and reflect on the many memories and fun times we have had along the route of this epic journey . Personal stories for people to tell and share , making lifelong friendships, raising a phenomenal amount of money for such a great cause too .

I started organising this event back in 2008 following the death of my late partner Chris , who after a short illness died of cancer. Like you probably I knew little about this dreadful disease , until the doctor came into the room and uttered that terrifying word "Cancer " . From that day forward I spent the next nine months doing everything I could for Chris , to maximise the chances of beating this bastard . Time wasn't on our side , we went to The Royal Marsden hospital so Chris could receive the best treatment in the world . Following days , weeks months of radiotherapy gradually charring Chris' s body , and months of chemo battering all the cells good and bad Chris appeared to be on the mend , it had all been worth it , weekly trips to the best clinic in London's Harley Street , and a gut load of medicine and positivity. However just after Christmas 2007 Chris took a turn for the worst , out of the blue , started feeling very ill , and for the first time throughout the whole illness had to be admitted to hospital . After days of CT scans , MRI scans , Chris became more ill and distant by the day , to the point of not being able to get out of bed , or so weak not being able to lift a glass of water . I will never forget  the day when the doctor came into the room and said " I'm sorry but it's just a matter of days maybe hours " 

The last thing I knew Chris would have wanted was to die in a hospital bed hooked up to machines . So I arranged with the help of Marie Curie for Chris to go home to die . We went in the ambulance all the way from York to Westerdale on this surreal journey , hoping Chris wouldn't die on route . When we arrived home to the farm , everything had been set up by Marie Curie and the medical staff so Chris would spend the last few hours / days being as comfortable as possible . 

Chris died the on the second night of being back at home surrounded by family and close friends . This experience , as horrendous as it was made me realise how important the end of your life is , and how vital the care from Marie Curie is . And this is why I have dedicated much of my time each year since Chris's death in raising funds and organising events for others to raise funds for such a vital cause. 

The Coast to Coast bike challenge now goes from strength to strength with over 60 participants riding this year . The experience of Chris's illness has allowed me to always put things into perspective and believe that you can always find strength and resilience even in your darkest hour. 

Through the bike ride I have had the pleasure of meeting some lovely , genuine caring people , some with similar experiences and others just wanting to do a good thing . The coast to coast will always be very special to me as I am grateful for what it has done for me and many others through the years , offering support to each other , providing a focus in which to aim for , and being able to provide a vehicle for others to  enjoy the rides , socials , weekends throughout the years and of course the very special annual ride .

To date we have raised over £225,000so please help us get to over £250,000 !

So please dig deep and sponsor me a few pennies for such a worthwhile cause . And remember this is not a disease that just affects you when you're old . I was 32 when Chris died .

Thank you

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