New Blog, New Look!

For those who check the blog regularly you will notice there has been a change. This blog is now dedicated, well to cycling, training, fundraising and my life on two wheels in general. All the posts have been kept but the pages have changed slightly. I have a new blog dedicated to my London to Paris charity cycle. Please take a look at www.cycleaidlondontoparis.blogspot.com. It's not totally complete yet as I don't have a fundraising total yet, that will be updated in December. Please remember there is still time to donate if you haven't already!! Just click the links to my Just Giving page which you will find on the left.


Thanks x

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

What Can I Say?

Above is a 'good luck' card made by my sister Abigail. Inside it reads "I'm so proud of you! I hope everything goes OK and I hope you raise lots of money!" 


Thanks 'lil sis for your support, it means a lot. And Thank You to all my friends and family who have supported me on this journey. I really couldn't keep going with all this training if it wasn't for you all. 


So far £1,012.50 has been raised for WaterAid!

Too Close for Comfort

On my cycle to work yesterday I was delighted the sun was shining and there wasn't a puddle in sight. A stark contrast to my previous commutes which usually ensured I was soaking wet. I was quite chuffed with myself happily cycling to work at 8am in the morning (it's like I don't know myself any more!) trying to ignore the lorries and buses whizzing by within an inch of my handle bars. Then my delight was cut short as I lost control on my bike due to a lorry getting far too close for comfort. He didn't knock me thank goodness, but the sheer shock of how close he came made me panic and as a result I came off my bike. Again thankfully I wasn't left sprawled across the road. There was an empty bus bay to my left so I kind of threw my bike into it whilst trying to jump off at the same time. 


No harm done in the end. I was just a little shaken but I managed to cycle the rest of the way to work. It was the first time I'd fallen off my bike and was hoping I never was, it does knock your confidence a bit. What makes me angry is how invisible I feel as a cyclist. Other motorists just don't care (well I would say 90% of them anyway) and would quite happily drive straight through you.


I have decided, for my own safety, to give cycling to work a miss for a while. My route is a busy one popular with lorries and the thought of coming off again at rush hour, but next time not being so lucky and ending up in the middle of a road just doesn't seem worth it. I'll keep training but cycle after the traffic has died down and chose quieter roads.


Ending on a good note I have nearly raised £1,000 for WaterAid so far. Thank you to all of you who have sponsored me, I really do appreciate it. It makes all this drama worth while knowing that people will gain access to clean, safe drinking water due to the generosity of my supporters.

I've Made a Promise....You Can Too

Please click on the picture above to visit Sheffield Is My Plant to find out how you can help reduce your carbon footprint. I pledged to cycle and walk more saving about 40,000 footballs full of CO2 or 400kg per year. I will also be saving myself £185 per year too, bonus! 

Wet Wet Wet

After having two new tyres fitted (looking very flash) I decided yesterday would be the day to take the plunge and cycle to work....take two. Loved it, not idea why I was worried at all. Though there are a few drivers who like to drive a little too close for comfort. I was looking forward to the cycle home until I saw a big black cloud coming my way. I tried hurrying up in the hope I might miss the inevitable downpour that was approaching. Ha obviously didn't peddle fast enough or I was just peddling towards it at great pace! I got soaked through, I can't even explain what it was like. I'm not talking a little bit of rain, I'm talking big fat rain drops, heavy winds, thunder and lightening. I had to stop at one point because the rain was stinging my eyes and thought it would be a good idea to 'hide' under a tree, erm perhaps not when it's lightening. Thankfully is died down a little and I manage to carry on cycling home. I could see all the people in their cars thinking 'is she mad?'....Answer = yes! All in all great fun, it's all part of the experience. Cycling is turning me into a new person. If you would have said 12 months ago I would be cycling home from work in torrential rain I would have laughed in your face.  

I'm really glad I took on the challenge of cycling London to Paris. I have a found a great new hobby/sport/way of life that I really have grown to love. I never thought I'd enjoy cycling so much and would recommend it to everyone. I'm also raising money for WaterAid and approaching the £1,000 mark. A big THANK YOU to everyone who has donated so far. If you haven't yet, you can do so at www.justgiving.com/cycleaid.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Going solo?

After a couple of weeks break (due to exams) I got back to training last weekend. I had a lovely cycle through Rotherham but definitely found it a hard slog. I really do struggle with hills at the best of times but was a little worried I was going to roll down them backwards on Sunday! I decided I needed to step up the training and I really have got into cycling so I brought my bike home with me. I have been keeping the bike in Rotherham at my Dads house because I train with him and he has a turbo trainer I've been using. I thought it would be a great idea to cycle to work, it's the perfect distance and there are plenty of cycle lanes to keep me safe. I stocked up on my own supplies of tools, puncture kits, inner tubes you name it I made sure I had it. I've never cycled by myself before so just wanted to make sure I was prepared for every and any situation. I took the plunge on Tuesday, taking practically the whole of Monday to psyche myself up for the journey. My heart was beating so fast for the first few hundred yards but then I started really enjoying myself until......my tyre suddenly went "pop!" Not a situation I was prepared for so I ended up pushing g my bike home and driving in the end, but at least I tried I keep telling myself. It looks as though I need a completely new tyre which is a bit of a pain because I can't use my bike until that is sorted. As soon as it is though I shall be going again and hopefully next time I'll make it all the way to work.


Please check out my new pages. There is more information on WaterAid, the charity I am raising money for and Discover Adventure, the organisers of the London to Paris cycle. 


Stay safe on the roads x

10 Weeks to Go!!

Hello! So I have been locked in my room studying and sitting exams this last few weeks so haven’t spent much time on fundraising or training. Now it is all over I am looking forward to getting back on the bike and tonight I’m off to a spinning class.


There are only 10 weeks left until I’ll be off to London to start my 300mile cycle trip to Paris. Yikes!! I do wonder where time has gone but I’m fully confident about the challenge and very much looking forward to it.


I am only getting on the bike and peddling my little legs for four days solid for one reason only, to raise money and awareness for WaterAid. One child dies every 20 seconds from diarrhoea caused by unclean water and poor sanitation. This is totally preventable and you can help by donating now.

• £1 could pay for a hygiene promotion manual in Bangladesh
• £3.50 could pay for a tap in Nigeria
• £6 could pay for a bag of cement in Nepal
• £10 could pay for a tool and spares kit for a handpump in Mozambique
• £15 can enable one person to access safe, clean water, improved hygiene and sanitation.

Thanks again for your continuous support x

My Route

View London to Paris Cycle in a larger map

Some Pictures

Update...

So the big cycle the other weekend went great, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Just a shame Sarah couldn’t make it but hopefully next time. Thankfully the sun came out eventually after a little downpour in the early hours. I cycled around much of Rotherham including Wentworth, which is just so pretty and cute. I also cycled down the Tinsley Viaduct, now that was pretty scary! Unfortunately I didn’t get chance to get out on my bike over the bank holiday weekend but I definitely am this coming weekend. I’m addicted!



I want to wish my sister, Beth, a very happy 1st birthday. I also want to thank all the generous people who sponsored me at her birthday party. I have now reached 12% of my fundraising total. Time is ticking though and I would love to reach 25% by the end of the month. Please please spread the word, I cannot do this without your support.


Remember just £15 can enable one person to access safe water, improved hygiene and sanitation.


Donate now at www.justgiving.com/cycleaid


Thanks

Cycle Chic x

I must cycle outside!!

I have been training since the beginning of the year on an indoor cycle trainer, which is great whilst it’s freezing cold and snowing outside. But I’m not cycling indoors all the way to Paris! I’ve been reluctant to get on the road though because I haven’t really ever cycled in the midst of moving traffic before. It’s a very scary thought but there is no excuse now the days are longer and a littler sunnier. So on Sunday I decided to bite the bullet and you know what? I really really enjoyed it! Cycling around in the sunshine through the countryside was great. I will admit I only did about 12 miles and it hurt in the morning but all the same it wasn’t as bad as I imagined. So I’m off again this Sunday but I’m cycling 25 miles this time. My Dad is planning our route and we will be joined by my good friend Sarah who is also cycling London to Paris in Septmeber. I’m quite excited and think I could get into this cycling malarkey but I might change my mind on Monday morning when I can’t get out of bed!!!!



Visit www.justgiving.com/cycleaid to donate now!


Thank you x

It’s Official

I received confirmation last night, it is official, I have my place on the London to Paris cycle with Discover Adventure in September.


I did start training in January and I’m pretty pleased with my progress. Now I have to raise my minimum fundraising target by July and I’m hoping to top £2,000 by September. All money raised is going to support WaterAid. Their mission is to transform lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in the world's poorest communities.


Please visit my blog regularly to keep up-to-date with my training and fundraising efforts. I will also be posting information on fundraising events, special sports memorabilia auctions and other titbits for your delight. I will be adding pictures from my training adventures all the way to the actual event so you can follow me all the way.


Please forward the link to my blog to anyone and everyone you think will be interested in supporting myself and WaterAid.


Also, don’t forget to visit my JustGiving page and donate NOW!


Thank you x