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