I decided that I wanted to do something challenging for my 50th year and when my friend Tom said he was cycling from John O'Groats to Lands End I muscled my way in and joined the group. I then realised I had agreed to cover 900 miles in 10 days! We will be setting off on 1st September and arrive in Lands End on 10th September - we hope!

As part of the challenge I wanted to find a charity to support - I have always enjoyed good health as have my children - and when I found  Rays of Sunshine I realised that was the right one. They do an amazing job of granting small and large wishes to seriously and terminally ill children and their families. It can be anything from being a policeman for a day to going on a Disney holiday. They do all this without any government funding and aim to raise £1million a year.

I will be paying all my costs so all of the money I raise will go to Rays of Sunshine - every penny counts. Their website gives details of wishes granted but also those waiting and your money could go to one of those children.

And so that I ensure I earn all of those pounds I hope will roll in I have embarked on my training plan - 90 miles a day for 10 days will not come easily!

I will  update my page with my training highs and lows.

10th March - 1st outing on shiny new road bike fully attached with clipless pedals (to the unitiated that means my feet are stuck to the pedals) Fell off twice after failing to detach from said pedals when I stopped. Grabbed trainers and wobbled off for a short ride - arrived home in one piece.

It can only get better from here....

1st April - was no joke when I set off on my 1st 60 mile sportive event - freezing cold and numb fingers as i hurtled down Lansdown into Bath - oh then up the other side of Bath - and so it went on for over 6 hours. Rolled back shattered but triumphant on my longest ride. (and didn't fall off!)

A few more rides - with feet clipped in all the way - and no more grazed knees - although a sore derrier is becoming quite common with the longer rides. Must try the chamois cream I've heard about.

13th May - 2nd 60 mile sportive - a bit more prepared - and less hills - but was well chuffed when I came in at 4:27 - 2 hours off my PB!! yay - never would have known this time last year that I would be yaying about riding for 60 miles!

19th May - just for a change and with a little persuasion from my JOGLE buddy - signed up for a 75k off road ride - that's a lot - believe me - and I felt it all the way - OMG - that was tough and I have the bruises to show for it!

 

 

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