I have several reasons for signing up to ride from London to Cannes in 2020 - improving my health and fitness, tackling a huge challenge, and promoting gender balance in yet another activity that is male-dominated. The main trigger to sign up to this ride was an article in the Estates Gazette telling more women to do it. I was not a cyclist before and I don't think I would have found the strength to spontaneously become one without this sort of challenge to complete within a specific time frame.

Since signing up for the ride, I have bought my first road bike, Red, and I have discovered that I absolutely love riding - so thank you Sam at EG for suggesting more women pick it up! It's true that my training group rides thus far are still male-dominated, but I always feel welcome and supported by the riders, as long as I ride with the appropriate level groups. UPDATE: I have found several super supportive women to help me tackle hills and general training! 

You can follow my training progress on Strava here:  https://www.strava.com/athletes/17703780

I wanted to also use this ride as a way to honor the memory of one of my late grandfathers, Aurel David, who was always a go-getter and often fought for the underdog. I thought it would be appropriate in the context of fundraising for Coram to honor him because he was adopted at an early age and overcame extreme poverty and incredible challenges to create a wonderful life for his family. 

He was a pilot, a journalist (in print and radio), a novelist, and a devoted family man. He was the most loving, caring, bold, adventurous, stubborn, moody, lovable, passionate, supportive, inspiring, and wonderful grandfather. He taught me how to swim, took me to school on my first day (both in Romania and in NYC), taught me how to take photographs, showed me how to go after what I want, supported me unconditionally in my various pursuits, praised me constantly for my small victories, read me subtitles before I could read them myself, bought me my first plane ticket, taught me how to care, and gave me the occasional kick in the right direction. He also gave me my first job (at age 8, in radio; also male-dominated), and pushed me to be better by continuously taking on new challenges - so this one is for him. 

As mentioned, I am also excited to raise funds for Coram. These funds go a long way in supporting the vital work of Coram, Club Peloton's main charity beneficiary, which receives 60% of grants. Coram champions the rights and welfare of children and believes every child should have the best chance of a fulfilling life. Coram helps hundreds of thousands of vulnerable children and young people every single year by developing skills, building emotional strength, upholding children's rights and finding adoptive parents for those in the greatest need. Club Peloton's other charity beneficiaries, Cyclists Fighting Cancer, MSA Trust and Tom's Trust, will receive a proportion of fundraising.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this! Also appreciate any and all support for this ride and for Coram! I hope this inspires more women to join in the fun in future years! 

Thank you!!!

Adina x