This is the story of a rower who wondered whether she was just rowing from habit and decided to take a break away from the river and try cycling instead. Being an impetuous sort, she saw an item on the Macmillan website about the Etape Caledonia, and thought that it looked like a bit of a challenge and entered it without checking too closely what was involved. How hard could it be? Well, 81 miles long and a lot of climbing, including a climb over Schihallion (one of the medium sized Scottish mountains), for a start! Even rowers know that this kind of thing needs a bit of training, so she set to.

To help keep me motivated through the hours and miles it is taking to get properly fit for the Etape, I joined my local cycling club, the wonderful Kingston Wheelers, and in the process I've met a whole new group of people who've encouraged me up hills and through horrible conditions, and I've done things I'd never have thought likely (never mind possible) a year ago.

On 7 March, as part of my training I rode in the Surrey Rumble (57 miles, 91km - the short course) starting off over Ranmore and Holmbury Hills (just to warm the legs up - 270-odd metres a piece) and going through Millford and over the Hogs Back (another biggish local hill) before returning to the start near Effingham via Woking, Send and Ripley. The last ten miles were really tough (into the teeth of a strong easterly), but I derive some comfort that at least I got round it - not fast but dogged! Amazingly, I wasn't even 'lanterne rouge' (the last rider to finish)! (Thanks to Phil at Sportivephoto for permission to use the Surrey Rumble picture!)

After the Surrey Rumble I had intended to do some other sportives, but have had to make do with rides out to Henley and back (70-odd miles from home) and getting a beasting from my 'kid' brother, Nick, over the Surrey Hills, including Leith Hill (the highest point in Southern England). After the Etape I'm going to be doing a century (100 miles) in Oxfordshire in June, and I'm planning to climb some of the Tour de France classic climbs next year (as you can see, I'm a convert!).

Race report!

Having taken a wild stab at my likely finish time when I put my entry in last Autumn (from the perspective of no idea at all!) I was begining to think that my estimated finishing time (5.30.00) was going to be a very big ask. However, unbelievably, I managed to get round in 5.23.08.  Having felt sick at the very thought of the Schihallion climb for weeks before the event, the really tough part of the climb (200m in 2 miles) was over surprisingly quickly - the rest of the climb is not so bad, being 400m or so in 5 miles. However, the descent down from Schihallion was about the best fun you can have with your clothes on - a 40mph technical descent (lots of bends and hairpins, for non-cyclists, some of which had safety barriers and hay bales erected for the day, fortunately, as there was a lot of fresh air available off the edge of the road for those who overcooked the descent) - although naturally I am playing this bit down for Geoff's consumption (I'm trying to convince him that I inched down it cautiously, which he is pretending to believe - neither of us is fooled!).

The whole event was brilliant fun - really well organised and very friendly. One of the high spots for  me were the numbers of lone pipers who had turned out in lonely places at the top of climbs to stiffen our spines and put energy into tiring legs, and the crowds of people in out of the way little villages who turned out to cheer us on our way. Another huge source of inspriation was the incredibly generous donations pledged by friends, relatives and colleagues - thank you all so much! I have been touched beyond words by your kindness and generosity!

Just training for the Etape has been quite a challenge but has introduced me to a new sport to love (as well as rowing!) and some great peope, not to mention bits of my home county I never knew existed. It seems churlish not to raise some cash as a 'thank you' to the people who made all of this possible - the Macmillan Cancer Charity. Most people's lives are touched directly or indirectly by cancer and Macmillan does fantastic work not just by supporting research into a cure for cancer, but also in supporting cancer sufferers and their families.

I would be really grateful if you would sponsor me to ride in the Etape Caledonia, to support Macmillan - all contributions are valuable, no matter how small (although larger ones are equally welcome)!!

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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So please dig deep and donate now.