June 2015

June: Cycling, rodeo, cycling and more cycling.

From now until I reach Paris, I'm concentrating on getting myself saddle fit. I've done lots of cycling, both road biking and mountain biking, and I'm certainly getting the hang of it.

Loe Bar, Penrose estate, Helston

On the 3rd, 6th and 7th, I hopped on my mountain bike and pedaled my way 27 miles in total around the Penrose National Trust estate and was treated to views like this. Just stunning.

On the evening of the 17th, I got my road bike out and joined Anthony, a fellow London to Paris cyclist, on a ride out around some local villages. We clocked up 14 miles.

On the evening of the 20th I held my biggest fundraising event yet, a Wild West Rodeo Night at our local farm. About 200 people came along to support the event and it was such brilliant fun.

We had a special Saloon Bar area as well as disco and bucking bronco.

Olly, Sophie, Georgie, me, Fi and Hugh: the fantastic bar staff who worked tirelessly all night.

A Line Dancing group from St Day came along to get people up and dancing.

There was a trophy for the person who stayed on the bucking bronco the longest and this was won by a lady called Emma who stayed on for a crazy 73 seconds! Everyone had a great night and we raised a mahoosive £1992 for Cornwall Air Ambulance, which I've used to kick start my 2016 fundraising.

Fantastic swing saloon doors made by Gary.

I must thank my friend Katrina for having the idea in the first place, friends Fi, Sally and Gary for helping me make the event happen, Hugh and Sally for letting us use their barn, Phil from Nightchasers Disco for keeping the music pumping, Olly, Sophie, Georgie, Fi and Hugh for spending the whole evening behind the bar keeping the ale flowing, St Day Line Dancing group for getting the dancers up and synchronised, Shaun at Fritz Entertainment for bucking the bronco, Sharp's Brewery for giving us such a fantastic deal on Doombar ale, Adrian from the Atlantic Inn for getting us a free barrel of Devon Dumpling from Bays Brewery and helping us store and set up all the beer, Porthleven Post Office for donating a bottle of wine as a prize for the best Wild West outfit, Porthleven Fishermen for donating a big box of ice, Bel at Lindy Lou and Claire at The Jewellery Workshop for selling tickets for the event, Georgie, Sally and Mary for convincing the cowboys to buy raffle tickets, Sally, Kallum, Georgie, Gary, Darren and Toni for helping set up and take down the barn and, of course, everyone for coming along and helping make the night such a huge success.

Mousehole harbour

On the 24th, I decided to do my first big solo ride. I pedaled out to Mousehole and back, which was 30 miles in total. I actually quite enjoyed being able to go at my own pace. I can't say I enjoyed riding along the main road on my own because some drivers just don't give us poor cyclists much consideration. However, I enjoyed the ride and was treated to some spectacular views.

Land's End airport

On Saturday 27th, Gary took me on my longest ride yet, 53 miles! We cycled through Penzance, Mousehole, Paul, Land's End (passing the airport), St Just (where we stopped for a cuppa), then back home via Penzance. It was scorchio when we left home, chilly and overcast on the north coast and then scorchio back at home again. It just shows how different the weather on the north and south coasts of Cornwall can be.

Loe Pool, Penrose estate, Helston

On the 29th, Daren joined me on an 8 mile mountain biking pedal around the Penrose estate. It was another beautiful day.

Miles cycled in June: 134 miles

Current fundraising total: £4030 (87% of my goal)

If you have enjoyed reading my blog and would like to help me towards my fundraising goal for this year, please visit my fundraising page by clicking here 

Do drop by again to see how I'm getting on with my training for the London to Paris cycle ride (in September) and the Great Wall of China trek (in October). Monthly blogs will appear here along with extra ones devoted to extra events, such as fundraisers or the challenges themselves.

May 2015

May: Hadrian's Wall & cycle training

So this month began with me up in the borders walking Hadrian's Wall. Please see my separate blog entries for each day (links to the right).

Since restoring my energy levels after returning from Newcastle, I have been focusing on my cycle training for September. On Tuesday 12 May I went for a pedal around Degibna Woods to see the bluebells with some friends. It was beautiful.

Jayne, Katrina, me & Gary

On Saturday 16 May I did a bag packing stint in Tesco Extra in Pool and Toni and Kallum had kindly agreed to lend a hand. I suggested a competition to see who could collect the most in their jar. 

 Kallum wasn't impressed to see lots of people popping coins into Toni's jar so decided he had to do something to attract more attention. So he wrote a sign on a banana box!

A few days later Becky at Air Ambulance gave me the jar totals. And the winner was ... Kallum! Kallum's jar contained £51.60 and Toni's had £50.16. The sign (or the hat) must have worked! I can't believe how close the amounts were. I'm very grateful to them both for giving up their free time to help me with the collection. 

On Sunday 17 May, I went on a rather longer cycle ride (42 miles) with Gary to Mylor Bridge and back via Helston, Gweek, Constantine, Port Navas and Mylor. We even managed a detour to Griffin Towers for a drink and biscuit. Thanks to Jonathan and Kate for the refreshments.

On Wednesday 20 May I decided to get my mountain bike out again and did a great route into Helston and round the Loe Pool (8.7 miles). The weather was lovely.

On Monday 25 May I did a fabulous 41 mile cycle ride with the boys. We cycled to Mousehole via Penzance, St Buryan and Paul.

 Darren, Gary and me

 Mousehole was very busy.

St Michael's Mount

And we had a pretty cool view on the way home too! I have to say, cycling is a great way of experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of Cornwall.

Miles run in May: 3

Miles cycled in May: 105

Current fundraising total: £3950 (85% of my total)

If you have enjoyed reading my blog and would like to help me towards my fundraising goal for this year, please visit my fundraising page by clicking here 

Do drop by again to see how I'm getting on with my training for the London to Paris cycle ride (in September) and the Great Wall of China trek (in October). Monthly blogs will appear here along with ones devoted to extra events, such as fundraisers or my challenges.