Qu'est-ce qu'un voyage!

Well this time two weeks ago I was well on my way to Dover. It's still all sinking in and I'm still buzzing from the experience. On the Monday before I  thought I was destined not to take part in the cycle. Going downstairs to my basement (I live in a large block of flats and we have underground parking for both cars and bikes) to clean my bike in preparation for the big challenge I discovered my beloved Baby Bianchi wasn't there, it broke my heart. Yes, somebody had stolen the bike my Dad had very generously given to me, the one I had trained on for eight months, the bike I had cycled on just 24 hours before. There were tears, lots of them, then panic. Luckily my Dad was kind enough to lend me his super expensive, super light weight bike. 

Unfortunately it was far too big and I could hardly reach the peddles. It had taken me eight months to get used to the large frame of my Bianchi but this bike was even bigger with wider handlebars and a very high seat stem. On Tuesday I got it straight to the JE James who were so understanding and also very concerned that I was about to cycle over 300 miles on a big evidently too large for my 5'3 frame. They all rallyed to call friends, employees anyone they knew with a bike to see if I could borrow one. Buying a brand new bike right there and then just wasn't an option and the only alternative was to make all the bike parts (handlebars, seat post and the handlebar stem) smaller and narrower. It cost me no more than it would have to hire a bike from Discover Adventure and I will sell the parts on, bonus! Tuesday was a long and draining day but I was so glad I was able to take.

I have started putting pictures and a summary for each day of the ride on the blog, each day has its own page. Over the next few days or so I will hopefully finish it so keep checking for updates. I will be updating the blog until I give WaterAid their final cheque and have a total fundraising figure. 

Keep spreading the word, share the link to the blog with friends and family and if anyone is thinking about taking part in the London to Paris cycle DO IT! I cannot recommend it enough, I really did have the time of my life. 

You still have time to donate to WaterAid at www.justgiving.com/cycleaid

Dig Toilets, Not Graves!

Please spend one minute watching the video.

3 children have died during this time!

Lack of clean, safe drinking water and access to adequate sanitation if a real killer.

I'm cycling London to Paris next week to raise money and awareness for WaterAid.

Please give all you can at www.justgiving.com/cycleaid

Thank you

7 days to go!

Where does time go? It really does feel like yesterday that I sat on a bike for my first training session on the turbo trainer. It was the middle of winter, hence been indoors and I could barely manage more than 20 minutes. Now eight months on there is no need for an indoor trainer (thought I've not seen much of the sun) and can comfortably manage 60/70 miles on the open road.


Last weekend was my last big push. I cycled over 50 miles on Saturday with my Dad and Sarah. Sarah will be joining me on the London to Paris cycle but unfortunately we've not had much chance to train together. We had a great run out to Bawtry, the weather was fantastic and I managed to catch some rays. Then on Sunday we all planned to cycle to Clumber Park. Unfortunately Sarah pulled out and cycled the Tissington Trail instead so I made the solo journey to my Dads house in Rotherham at a ridiculous hour in the morning. After us getting about 2 miles in to our cycle his bike started making horribly noises and we thought it would be best he didn't risk carrying on. As tempted as I was at the thought of cycling the 9 miles home and getting back in bed I knew this was my last chance of getting some good miles under my belt and I'd never really done long distances back to back so decided I to cycle the further 20 miles out to Mattersey to visit my uncle Rod. I'd never cycled more than about 10 miles before by myself so I was a little apprehensive. But once I got going I really enjoyed myself. I got there in no time at all, despite the detour due to missing my turning. This added about  7 (ish) miles to my journey...all good extra mileage I thought.


The journey back was somewhat different. I managed to get back to Rotherham without any problems but once I hit Sheffield my poor bum just got so numb. Then my legs started to go and I thought I was never going to get home. I pushed through the pain knowing I had worse to endure next week. To my surprise it didn't take me as long as it felt, I did roughly 30 miles in just over 2 hours 20 , including drink stops. 


That's not too bad considering the first time I went on the road I only cycled 10 miles and it took me about 1 1/2 hours and I ached so much in the morning I never want to cycle again. I find I don't really ache too much any more and I put that down to all the training I've done. And the only reason I've trained more than I thought is because I've really enjoyed it.  I will be back on my bike after this challenge but as far as training goes I have cycled to work today and will fit in a couple more 10/15 milers before next week. I'm hoping to cycle through the Peak District on Thursday and that'll be it. 


This time next week I'll be packing up for my journey to London. Sarah and I are staying over the night in London ready for our 7am start on the Wednesday. 


Thanks for all my friends and family who have pushed and supported me through all the training. Mainly to my Dad for training me up and Nick for putting up with my whining after long cycles.


My main reason for embarking on this challenge was to raise money and awareness for WaterAid. I have a whole page dedicated to who WaterAid are, what they do and why there is a need so please check it out. There is still plenty of  time to donate too, just visit my JustGiving page and give all you can.


Thank you x

ebay listings

I have some items up for sale on ebay. Please click on the items below to take a look.

100% of the proceeds will be donated to WaterAid.

• Stirling Silver Mickey Mouse Ring

• Recycled Paper Jotter

• Decathlon White and Blue Flower Print Swim Shorts

• No7 Handbag Essentials Make-up

More items will be added soon!

Please Pledge Just £1

Eight months ago I was laughing and joking about cycling from London to Paris, having not been on a bike for years. Since then I have been on an incredible journey, learning so much about so many different things and never could I have imagined that I would be having such a great experience. 

Never before have I ever done anything like this but I can say for sure this will not be my last. The challenges I have been used to have been academic ones, using my brain to achieve. Over the last few months of training I have learnt there is another type of challenge, one which needs strength, stamina and resilience. A physical challenge is new to me and hard to master. I'm not going to lie, there have definitely been a few tantrums and tears along the way, in fact it's been quite the emotional roller-coaster. The feeling of  ecstasy once I've climbed up into the relentless Peak District is one I can't put into words.

From time to time though I forget that "I" am not the only reason I'm doing this. My aim was to raise £2,000 for WaterAid. Women in Africa and Asia commonly have to carry 20kg of water on their heads over unimaginable long distances. This, thankfully, is a physical challenge I will never have to endure and I wish no-one else had to either. Water is a basic human need however, there are still 1 in 8 of the world's population who do not have access to safe, clean drinking water.

All I ask of you, as a supporter, is to take a few minutes watching the video below and to pledge £1 (or as much as you can afford) to WaterAid and help End Water Poverty.

To pledge £1 please click on the link www.justgiving.com/cycleaid

Thank you 

Thank You...

Thank you to Eden Springs who have provided me with free bottled water to use during my training. They provide free bottled water to anyone who is embarking on a physical challenge to raise money for charity. Please click on the link below to find out more.

Eden Springs: UK's No.1 water cooler supplier

Training Hard

Training is in full swing now and my Dad is pushing me hard. I'm on the bike or in the gym 4/5 times a week and pretty much try to cycle everywhere (expect work still!) I'm very lucky to have my Dad to train with and we go out every Saturday and Sunday mornings together. The thought of having to get up and on my bike at 7am on my 'days off' makes me want to cry the night before but once I'm out and peddling away there isn't a better feeling. Last weekend we tried a new route out into the Peak District...hills are not my favourite but I was assured it would be good training. I really thought my legs were going to fall off, and at one point going up "Fiddlers Elbow" I got a very frustrated and a little emotional. 


For those of you who know that road then you may understand why, for those of you who don't then all I can say is it's steep and leads up to Higger Tor. Our second weekend out in the beautiful countryside was much more enjoyable, we added on about 10 miles to our route and missed out the treacherous ascent into Ringinglow. I'm looking forward to cycling this route again very soon and adding on Bakewell for an extra challenge.
I'm forever wanting to stop and take pictures. Unfortunately the few photos I have taken don't do the scenery any justice at all. Please do take a look though via the link at the top of the page.


1st August 2010 - Hathersage and Fiddlers Elbow


View Larger Map

8th August 2010 - Hathersage and Baslow


View Training Route - Hathersage & Baslow in a larger map