Reason for this Gruelling Challenge

 

In May last year, my Father, Brian Spencer, died from a very rare and aggressive cancer named Angiosarcoma, for which there is no cure and very little by way of life-prolonging treatment.  Sarcomas are a large group of rare cancers and account for about 1% of all cancers diagnosed (Angiosarcoma being one of the rarer sub-types).

The relative rarity of this cancer means that research and treatment options for patients are significantly underfunded.

To mark the first anniversary of my Father’s death, I will be participating in the London to Brighton bike ride (54 miles) on Father’s Day in June, with my Sister, Brother and Brother-in Law.  We hope to raise as much money as possible for the Sarcoma Trust. 

The Sarcoma Trust (charity reg no. 1119848) has been set up to support sarcoma patients, their carers and their families, to fund and foster research into these rare cancers and to raise awareness of sarcoma.

 

My Training Programme!

 

Considering I've not been on a bike for about 30years, it's going better than I thought ! I go to the gym in the week and manage to get out on the bike at weekends, and I must say it has helped me find my way around the area-I've lived here for 6years and at last I know where I'm going ! However, cycling alone, I do get rather nervous when I turn down a country lane that I've not ventured down before, but this helps with my fitness as I cycle like the clappers until I get to somewhere I recognise ! I've recently managed a couple of 40-mile bike rides and one 50-miler (this really hurt my backside, so may need 2 pairs of shorts on the day, or a Sainsburys soft white tin loaf to sit on). I'm hoping to get this ordeal done in under 5 hours. 

 

An Emotional Journey

 

What started off as just a bike ride for charity, has now turned into a very emotional journey. I find myself talking to Dad as I cycle around the lanes, and shouting at the world for taking him away. As I approach a hill I ask him for strength to get me up there, and yell "we did it!" as I freewheel down the other side. His memory is getting me through the training. I would love to think that this training and suffering could go some way to raising money for The Sarcoma Trust, and help finance research into this cancer type-hopefully one day preventing someone else's father and family going through what we have.

 

Thank you for listening.

 

 

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