On the 22nd of June I will be taking part in my first ever cycling event: Ride to the Sun.

The Ride to the Sun is a 100 mile self supported cycle through the night across the border between Scotland and England, starting in Carlisle (around 7pm on the 22nd) and finishing in Cramond (early in the morning of the 23rd).

I will be taking part in the Ride to the Sun in support of Streetwork, an Edinburgh based charity which works with the homeless and people at risk of homelessness.

Why Ride to the Sun?

Since starting to cycle to work every day in 2015, I have maintained an average mileage of around 3'500 miles a year. This being my 5th year in the saddle, I feel it's about time I focus my miles into some form of challenge.

The Ride to the Sun appeals to me since it is a very informal self supported race, described by the organisers as being: "Pretty much a ‘turn up and ride’ sort of event". As such, I hope to push my own limits rather than aiming to shred through the competition. (...Although, I will probably have a look at Strava segments when I get back home!)

Why Streetwork?

As a cycle commuter who works in the centre of Edinburgh, I'm often arriving in town early in the mornings and leaving during the evening when people are sleeping on the streets.

On colder days, when I'm freezing to death on my bike, I can't help but think what it's like to try and sleep in such conditions!

Since the Ride to the Sun is an event over the course of a night, finishing in Edinburgh, it seems only right to try and do something to support Edinburgh's homeless.

Streetwork in particular appeals to me since they aim to try and help people find solutions on their own terms.