Last weekend I took part in the annual Downside Up Charity Red Square Bike Ride together with the great support of my daughter Carly.  This year its 140 km course ran through the Kaluga region near Moscow with money being raised to aid the early intervention programmes for children with Down syndrome.

The morning of the first day was a sort of endurance test: an uphill route; ceasless rain and +11 degrees C, but in the afternoon the sun came out, so things went better, and after cycling for 60km, we returned to where we were staying, became Indians and demonstrated our talents in the 'Prairie Hunters' game !  We had to decipher symbols, use bow and arrows, guess spices by their scent, and noose a reindeer - mad, but great fun amongst truly wonderful people !

On Saturday morning the weather was better.  The local road patrol service did a great job, drivers and passers-by signalled and waved cheerfully - Kaluga region was giving us a warm welcome.  In the evening there was a ceremony of unveiling the monument to Mother Teresa of Calcutta and a press conference for journalists.  At the end of the ceremony a nun from Sisters of Charity Order reminded us of Mother Teresa's words, " Have the courage to accept people as they are".  In the end, each participant flew a white balloon into the sky and made a wish - very moving.

The bike ride's culmination was a ceremonial finish in Red Square and Downside Up children rode with us.  MTV presenter Irena Ponaroshku was a magnificent mistress of ceremony for this part of the programme.  Medals and prizes were awarded by film actress Anna Gorshkova, Igor Makarov, President of Russian Cycling Federation, welcomed us and praised us for our team spirit and social responsibility.  The event was covered by Channel One, Russia 2, TV Centre, Channel 5 and BTK,and millions of Russians learned that anyone can help improve the life for children with Down syndrome.

I had a fantastic time despite the long cycle!  I cam 11th out of 170 participants and Carly came 20th