I'm heading to Norway at the end of the month to take part in the Fat Viking on the 27-Jan, in support of Pilgrims Hospices.

The ‘Fat Viking’ is a winter ultra-endurance event carried out on ‘fat bikes’ - specially adapted mountain bikes with much larger ‘fatter’, spiked tyres - that are better able to glide over snow and ice. Hence the event is named after the type of bike used and (hopefully) not the participants!

The race course is a 150km route along snowmobile tracks, dogsledding trails, snowcovered roads and cross-country skiing trails in and around the ski resort of Geilo in Norway. The fact that there are ski mountains here, does mean it won’t be all flat. The route normally encompasses around 3,000m of climbing! 

Never having ridden 150km in one go in my life, let alone through snow and Ice and at temperatures down to minus 40C, I thought it sounded like a good idea! 

Whilst there are a couple of checkpoints along the route, the event is for the most part unsupported, so I’ll need to carry everything I need for the race with me. This includes a tent, sleeping bag, emergency clothing - capable of keeping me warm down to -40C, basic bike repair equipment, food and water etc. If a blizzard rolls in, for example, there’s no ‘phone-a-friend’ option, so I’ll have to deal with it. 

We’ll be wearing GPS trackers during the race, meaning that if anyone’s interested they’ll be able to track my progress throughout and, in the event that I don’t make it, locate my body. 🤣

I am embarking on this journey not just to challenge myself, there is a greater purpose and that is to support Pilgrims Hospices.

Pilgrims Hospices is a charity committed to providing palliative care, free of charge, to individuals facing life-limiting illnesses. The essence of Pilgrims is rooted in delivering skilled and compassionate care, ensuring those with incurable illnesses can live well in mind and body, making the most of their limited time.

So, as I navigate the challenges of the Arctic terrain, I do so with a purpose - to raise awareness and support for Pilgrims Hospices. This ride is a testament to the resilience of those facing life-limiting illnesses and a call for collective support.

There is a personal element for my choice of charity. Currently, I have a close friend courageously battling terminal cancer. Despite making his reservation at the hospice months ago, thus far he's opted to face the difficulties at home. There will come a time though, when this won't be feasible for him.

It's for individuals like him, and countless others, that I've undertaken this challenge. If enduring temporary discomfort on my part can translate into alleviating someone else's very real pain during the final moments of their lives, then it's undoubtedly worth it. That's the thought that will drive me forward when the going gets tough.

Fundraising link: https://bit.ly/FatViking

I have and will continue to post my progress on the lead-up to and throughout the event. My SM details as follows: 

FB:https://www.facebook.com/robrwilkinson

IG:  https://www.instagram.com/rob_wilkinson46/