It has been a while since my last post, but we have both been working hard on fitness and fundraising and are steadily improving in both areas!
We have been slowly accumulating funds with lots of little schemes. Most are thanks to Gillian who has come up with several ingenious ways of making small amounts of cash - my favourite is the 'taxi service' charge for lifts! People are always happy to donate when they hear about the cause. It is so close to so many people's hearts.
Our honesty book stall has continued to make money as people donate their unwanted books and buy new ones for £1, and our pot for unwanted change in the company cafe has also been very successful. The girls in the cafe love it as it is often a source of handy change for them!!
To date, we have generated £954.00 through our Just Giving site - http://www.justgiving.com/CubanWheels and our Coffee Morning final total has risen to £568.14.
When all things are added together we have a current total of £3,229.02. Our target of £3,000 has been achieved!!
A huge thank you to everyone who has helped us get to this point. We are, of course, continuing with our fundraising and have set a new target of £6k by August.
Stay tuned for an update on our training coming soon.
Tuesday 4 December 2012
Monday 22 October 2012
Coffee and Cakes hits the spot!
There is a good chance that there was a surge in demand for power in the Cheshire area the Sunday before last, as there was such a lot of baking going on. Gillian and I, along with many of our work colleagues were preparing for the Cuban Wheels second cake sale fundraiser which took place in the Sports Cafe at Umbro head office on Monday.
We made £242.38 from the first sale back in May. This was our target.
We were overwhelmed with the number of donations - it took 4 of us (massive thanks to Mandy and Louise for all your help) an hour to set up the stall, lay out the cakes and label them all with prices. Before we knew it, we had a queue of eager customers. It took a while for the money to start changing hands though - there was so much choice, people couldn't decide what to have!
Sultana scones, biscuits, choc chip cookies, gingerbread, coffee cake, lemon cake, banana loaf, crispy cakes, cupcakes, chocolate lollipops, rocky road, battenburg, macaroons and much more. A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO BAKED FOR US.
Thanks also to our colleagues in The Sports Cafe for their support. 50% of all tea and coffee sales for the morning were donated to our fundraising.
It was a lot of fun with people coming up in groups for coffee and cake throughout the morning, holding informal meetings, or just catching up with colleagues over a cuppa whilst raising money for Women v Cancer.
Yet again, it was practically a sell out, with Gillian's preserves flying off the shelf, and a desperate shortage of lemon drizzle cake (must make at least 2 next time!).
A tally up of the takings revealed that out target was well an truly smashed, with a final total of £414.00. Fantastic!
Thank you again to everyone who supported the sale and helped to make it such a success.
We made £242.38 from the first sale back in May. This was our target.
 |
| Gillian and Mandy setting out the cakes and preserves |
We were overwhelmed with the number of donations - it took 4 of us (massive thanks to Mandy and Louise for all your help) an hour to set up the stall, lay out the cakes and label them all with prices. Before we knew it, we had a queue of eager customers. It took a while for the money to start changing hands though - there was so much choice, people couldn't decide what to have!
Sultana scones, biscuits, choc chip cookies, gingerbread, coffee cake, lemon cake, banana loaf, crispy cakes, cupcakes, chocolate lollipops, rocky road, battenburg, macaroons and much more. A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO BAKED FOR US.
Thanks also to our colleagues in The Sports Cafe for their support. 50% of all tea and coffee sales for the morning were donated to our fundraising.
It was a lot of fun with people coming up in groups for coffee and cake throughout the morning, holding informal meetings, or just catching up with colleagues over a cuppa whilst raising money for Women v Cancer.
Yet again, it was practically a sell out, with Gillian's preserves flying off the shelf, and a desperate shortage of lemon drizzle cake (must make at least 2 next time!).
A tally up of the takings revealed that out target was well an truly smashed, with a final total of £414.00. Fantastic!
Thank you again to everyone who supported the sale and helped to make it such a success.
Monday 8 October 2012
Tatton Cycletta
It is rare for me to experience 6am on a Sunday morning. I am usually asleep.
Yesterday was different. Gillian and I, along with our friend Emma, took part in our first official cycle event - a 55km route starting from Tatton Park in Cheshire, which is one of a series of women only cycle races in beautiful locations. Click here for more info on future events..
I was woken by the radio alarm playing The Cure, and it was with uncharacteristic enthusiasm that I got up and danced to the shower, past my bike and gear which were prepared, labelled and ready to go in the hallway. After a quick breakfast Chris managed to manipulate my bike into the car without having to dismantle anything and we were on our way at 7:30 in thick fog.
The event was incredibly well organised, and by 8:30 we had parked up, unloaded the wheels and found Gillian and Emma. Nerves were setting in now as we waited for our wave to start.
The fog was still pretty thick when we set off and it wasn't long before our hands were completely numb with the cold. Still the scenery was stunning and we soon forgot about the cold as we were cycling down beautiful tree lined roads with the sun desperately trying to break through the fog.
We thought it would take us over 3.5 hours to finish so we were delighted to cross the line in 2:48:25 (including pit stop time!). Feels great to have our first cycle under our belt. We have done the distance we will cover on our first day in Cuba, so just the other 4 days to work on now!
Yesterday was different. Gillian and I, along with our friend Emma, took part in our first official cycle event - a 55km route starting from Tatton Park in Cheshire, which is one of a series of women only cycle races in beautiful locations. Click here for more info on future events..
I was woken by the radio alarm playing The Cure, and it was with uncharacteristic enthusiasm that I got up and danced to the shower, past my bike and gear which were prepared, labelled and ready to go in the hallway. After a quick breakfast Chris managed to manipulate my bike into the car without having to dismantle anything and we were on our way at 7:30 in thick fog.
The event was incredibly well organised, and by 8:30 we had parked up, unloaded the wheels and found Gillian and Emma. Nerves were setting in now as we waited for our wave to start.
 |
| Emma, me and Gillian - ready to go |
 |
| Garmin ready - waiting to go |
The fog was still pretty thick when we set off and it wasn't long before our hands were completely numb with the cold. Still the scenery was stunning and we soon forgot about the cold as we were cycling down beautiful tree lined roads with the sun desperately trying to break through the fog.
 |
| On our way - very high viz! |
 |
| Medals all round |
Thursday 27 September 2012
Manchester - Portland - Toronto
It has been a fantastic month of travelling, running and cycling. A quick update.....
On 20 August I set off on my long-awaited trip to Portland, Oregon to take part in the world's longest relay race - Hood to Coast. Our team of 12 joined hundreds of others each crammed into 2 minivans to run the 199 mile route from Mount Hood to the Pacific coast at Seaside, Oregon.
Each runner runs 3 legs - mine were 4.7 miles (3pm Friday), 4.2 miles (1am Saturday) and 7.2 miles (3pm Saturday). The distances aren't too gruelling, but it's the lack of sleep and the cramped conditions in the vans with no time for stretching, or showering that make it tough - you have to get to the next hand over before your runner does to park up and make the exchange. Crazy but a lot of fun, and running through the forest in the middle of the night with just a headlamp to see by was amazing.
My training up to this point has been focussed on running, with a bit of cycling. Now the balance is going to change. After my week in Portland, I meet Chris in Toronto to stay with friends there for a summer holiday. We decided to hire bikes for a day and follow a cycle trail built on the abandoned Canadian Pacific railway line in Western Ontario.
The cycle to the start of the trail was along a deserted country lane, wide and straight, shaded by trees and virtually traffic-free so we took it nice and easy, cycling side by side chatting as the miles slowly rolled by. This is my kind of cycling!
The trail starts at the port in Goderich on the shore of Lake Huron, and heads out across the wooden Menesetung Bridge which has been restored and provides a spectacular start to the cycle.
It's August, and we expect to see lots of other holiday makers enjoying the sunshine and countryside, but the trail stretches on and on and we only share it with one other cyclist and 2 couples walking. It's a very different experience to cycling in Manchester!
We knew that we should have turned round a bit sooner, but the trail was so pretty, and the weather gorgeous, so we kept going to the end of the trail, feeling good. It was, however, an out and back ride, so we were only half way and still had 15 miles to cycle to get back. It wasn't until the last hour that we realised we had maybe pushed it a bit too much and both had to grit our teeth and keep going, wincing slightly with each bump in the road!
We made it back and immediately congratulated ourselves for hiring bikes from a shop opposite a bar. A pint of lager and a large bowl of fries never tasted so good!
On 20 August I set off on my long-awaited trip to Portland, Oregon to take part in the world's longest relay race - Hood to Coast. Our team of 12 joined hundreds of others each crammed into 2 minivans to run the 199 mile route from Mount Hood to the Pacific coast at Seaside, Oregon.
Each runner runs 3 legs - mine were 4.7 miles (3pm Friday), 4.2 miles (1am Saturday) and 7.2 miles (3pm Saturday). The distances aren't too gruelling, but it's the lack of sleep and the cramped conditions in the vans with no time for stretching, or showering that make it tough - you have to get to the next hand over before your runner does to park up and make the exchange. Crazy but a lot of fun, and running through the forest in the middle of the night with just a headlamp to see by was amazing.
My training up to this point has been focussed on running, with a bit of cycling. Now the balance is going to change. After my week in Portland, I meet Chris in Toronto to stay with friends there for a summer holiday. We decided to hire bikes for a day and follow a cycle trail built on the abandoned Canadian Pacific railway line in Western Ontario.
The cycle to the start of the trail was along a deserted country lane, wide and straight, shaded by trees and virtually traffic-free so we took it nice and easy, cycling side by side chatting as the miles slowly rolled by. This is my kind of cycling!
 |
| At the start of the Goderich to Auburn cycle trail |
 |
| Chris on the Menesetung Bridge |
It's August, and we expect to see lots of other holiday makers enjoying the sunshine and countryside, but the trail stretches on and on and we only share it with one other cyclist and 2 couples walking. It's a very different experience to cycling in Manchester!
We knew that we should have turned round a bit sooner, but the trail was so pretty, and the weather gorgeous, so we kept going to the end of the trail, feeling good. It was, however, an out and back ride, so we were only half way and still had 15 miles to cycle to get back. It wasn't until the last hour that we realised we had maybe pushed it a bit too much and both had to grit our teeth and keep going, wincing slightly with each bump in the road!
We made it back and immediately congratulated ourselves for hiring bikes from a shop opposite a bar. A pint of lager and a large bowl of fries never tasted so good!
Wednesday 15 August 2012
Superbia in Proelia
(Pride in Battle)
MCFC
It is with sadness that I write that our friend and colleague Sally lost her fight against cancer 2 weeks ago.
A memorial service was held for her at St Michael's Church in Bramhall, which was attended by family members, friends and colleagues. At the family's request, it was an occasion to celebrate Sally's life and spirit, which was exemplified by the bravery and dignity with which she faced her illness. Her son Josh led the way with this sentiment, choosing the song 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life' to close the service.
She worked in the sports industry for 20 years, and football was her passion, especially Manchester City. The love and respect she had amongst her friends and family was evident from the number of people who were there to pay their respects. Many of the faces I didn't recognise - people who had worked with her over the years.
We are determined not to dwell on the sadness of the occasion; but, as Sally would have done; with her slightly stubborn, no-nonsense approach; we are picking ourselves up and cracking on with our fundraising.
It's all go in the craft department as I have been preparing hand made Christmas cards for a sale we are planning in October. I am reliably informed that this is the time when the discerning customer buys their Christmas cards, not the second week of December, which is the norm for me!
Gillian has been furnished with piles of pre-cut card and glittery paper to stick together and our houses are slowly being covered from top to bottom in a fine layer of glitter. It gets everywhere. My partner is not terribly impressed that Christmas has arrived in our house before we have had our summer holiday!
As we are in the holiday season, and lots of our family, friends and colleagues are away at the moment we haven't arranged any other events for this month, but when I return from my holidays in a few weeks time look out for our second cake sale - back by popular demand; and the much anticipated Football Quiz Night.
Also coming soon - more training updates including news (hopefully) of my Hood to Coast run and cycling attempts on the trails of Ontario, Canada.
MCFC
It is with sadness that I write that our friend and colleague Sally lost her fight against cancer 2 weeks ago.
A memorial service was held for her at St Michael's Church in Bramhall, which was attended by family members, friends and colleagues. At the family's request, it was an occasion to celebrate Sally's life and spirit, which was exemplified by the bravery and dignity with which she faced her illness. Her son Josh led the way with this sentiment, choosing the song 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life' to close the service.
She worked in the sports industry for 20 years, and football was her passion, especially Manchester City. The love and respect she had amongst her friends and family was evident from the number of people who were there to pay their respects. Many of the faces I didn't recognise - people who had worked with her over the years.
We are determined not to dwell on the sadness of the occasion; but, as Sally would have done; with her slightly stubborn, no-nonsense approach; we are picking ourselves up and cracking on with our fundraising.
It's all go in the craft department as I have been preparing hand made Christmas cards for a sale we are planning in October. I am reliably informed that this is the time when the discerning customer buys their Christmas cards, not the second week of December, which is the norm for me!
Gillian has been furnished with piles of pre-cut card and glittery paper to stick together and our houses are slowly being covered from top to bottom in a fine layer of glitter. It gets everywhere. My partner is not terribly impressed that Christmas has arrived in our house before we have had our summer holiday!
As we are in the holiday season, and lots of our family, friends and colleagues are away at the moment we haven't arranged any other events for this month, but when I return from my holidays in a few weeks time look out for our second cake sale - back by popular demand; and the much anticipated Football Quiz Night.
Also coming soon - more training updates including news (hopefully) of my Hood to Coast run and cycling attempts on the trails of Ontario, Canada.
Sunday 22 July 2012
No cycling......no problem
It's Sunday evening, the sun is shining - a rarity in Manchester this year - and I am sitting in the garden with my partner enjoying the early evening sunshine with a glass of Argentinian white wine and a bowl of hula hoops. Not your average training routine I know, but it is a rest day.
You could be forgiven for thinking it has been a rest week as there have been no training updates for a while, so I feel compelled to set the record straight.
I have signed up for another challenge prior to Cycle Cuba, and the event is fast approaching. I am taking part in a 199 mile relay race across Oregon, USA along with 11 other team mates. We all run 3 x 10km (approximately) over 36 hours (again, approximately), taking us from Mount Hood, just outside Portland, to the Pacific coast. It is the longest relay race in the world - an amazing experience as you run through the night - no stopping till you are at the beach with a beer in your hand!
I am really lucky to have a place in a team as places on this race fill up the day registration opens - it is like getting a place in the London Marathon. I am running with some of my work colleagues from our office in the USA, along with some people I don't know. All planning has been done via email.
Consequently, my training over the last couple of weeks has been running focused - my poor bike has only been used as a handy stand to dry my umbrella! I have still been going to my spin class though - I am now hooked! That said, it isn't getting any easier yet. My bum has just about recovered from one class by the time the next one comes round.
I have 4 weeks training to go before I fly to the States and this weekend I did my first 'double run' - 5.5 miles on Friday evening and 8 miles on Saturday morning. Today I feel tired. I have to be able to do this, plus one more run, without a sleep in between. There is still work to be done, and not of the Argentinian white, dry, fruity, delicious variety!
I am trying to bin off the mid-week drinking and have almost been successful - just falling at the Friday night hurdle. I thought I was going to make it this week, but after our run, my other half asked the fatal question - "Are you going to be good or bad?" Now, I can wrestle with my inner demon silently and have a chance of winning, but once those words are spoken and I know that he is caving in, I am a lost cause. This week I will be strong.
Next weekend I am going for 3 runs - 5 miles Friday evening, 5 miles Saturday morning, 8 miles Saturday evening. Thank goodness Saturday evening is not covered by my drinking embargo - you will find me on the sofa with a large glass of something cold, ...............recovering.
You could be forgiven for thinking it has been a rest week as there have been no training updates for a while, so I feel compelled to set the record straight.
I have signed up for another challenge prior to Cycle Cuba, and the event is fast approaching. I am taking part in a 199 mile relay race across Oregon, USA along with 11 other team mates. We all run 3 x 10km (approximately) over 36 hours (again, approximately), taking us from Mount Hood, just outside Portland, to the Pacific coast. It is the longest relay race in the world - an amazing experience as you run through the night - no stopping till you are at the beach with a beer in your hand!
I am really lucky to have a place in a team as places on this race fill up the day registration opens - it is like getting a place in the London Marathon. I am running with some of my work colleagues from our office in the USA, along with some people I don't know. All planning has been done via email.
Consequently, my training over the last couple of weeks has been running focused - my poor bike has only been used as a handy stand to dry my umbrella! I have still been going to my spin class though - I am now hooked! That said, it isn't getting any easier yet. My bum has just about recovered from one class by the time the next one comes round.
I have 4 weeks training to go before I fly to the States and this weekend I did my first 'double run' - 5.5 miles on Friday evening and 8 miles on Saturday morning. Today I feel tired. I have to be able to do this, plus one more run, without a sleep in between. There is still work to be done, and not of the Argentinian white, dry, fruity, delicious variety!
I am trying to bin off the mid-week drinking and have almost been successful - just falling at the Friday night hurdle. I thought I was going to make it this week, but after our run, my other half asked the fatal question - "Are you going to be good or bad?" Now, I can wrestle with my inner demon silently and have a chance of winning, but once those words are spoken and I know that he is caving in, I am a lost cause. This week I will be strong.
Next weekend I am going for 3 runs - 5 miles Friday evening, 5 miles Saturday morning, 8 miles Saturday evening. Thank goodness Saturday evening is not covered by my drinking embargo - you will find me on the sofa with a large glass of something cold, ...............recovering.
Monday 9 July 2012
In a spin
I have been a member at a gym in town now for a couple of months and every Monday morning have watched the spin class taking place in the corner of the gym. I made a pact with myself that I should give it a go as it would take me out of my comfort zone and give my training and fitness a boost. Until this morning though I hadn't plucked up the courage to join the spinners whose legs seem to move at an inhuman rate. Instead I have opted for the relative comfort of an upright bike and pedalled sedately for the same amount of time, marvelling at the energy of the teacher, who could quite easily be a marine. He takes 2 classes back to back - one at 7am and the second at 7.30 with no problem at all.
Today with steely resolve I decide that I will do it.
I am pleased with my strategy to announce that I have never done a spin class before - needed to get that covered off in case I don't make it through the 30 minutes! I then proceed to demonstrate my incompetence at not being able to adjust the bike. Am patiently helped by the instructor who is not so scary after all. I am instructed to turn the dial on the bike a quarter turn each time he shouts to take the resistance up, but after the 5 minute warm up I decide that an eighth of a turn is much more appropriate for me.
I am pleasantly surprised that I am able to get myself up off the bike seat and keep going for the 30 minutes. I quietly congratulate myself, ignoring the fact that I cheated a bit on the resistance. I am a beginner after all.
I even get a well done from the instructor, and taking my thoroughly soaked gym towel and thoroughly drained water bottle, I head back to the changing rooms in a glow of smugness for a well deserved shower, and plan what to have for breakfast.
Today with steely resolve I decide that I will do it.
I am pleased with my strategy to announce that I have never done a spin class before - needed to get that covered off in case I don't make it through the 30 minutes! I then proceed to demonstrate my incompetence at not being able to adjust the bike. Am patiently helped by the instructor who is not so scary after all. I am instructed to turn the dial on the bike a quarter turn each time he shouts to take the resistance up, but after the 5 minute warm up I decide that an eighth of a turn is much more appropriate for me.
I am pleasantly surprised that I am able to get myself up off the bike seat and keep going for the 30 minutes. I quietly congratulate myself, ignoring the fact that I cheated a bit on the resistance. I am a beginner after all.
I even get a well done from the instructor, and taking my thoroughly soaked gym towel and thoroughly drained water bottle, I head back to the changing rooms in a glow of smugness for a well deserved shower, and plan what to have for breakfast.
Ladies Cocktail Night - June 28 2012
Our first big fundraising evening. Gillian has masterminded this one - a ladies cocktail evening at her house, with cupcake decorating competition. I am in charge of the bar.......excellent!
After a week of gloomy skies and persistent rain, the sky cleared for the evening of our event and the sun came out! We can't believe our luck.
Tickets have sold for £5, which includes your first drink, a cupcake demo and the opportunity to decorate a cake of your own. The boys at work got wind of the event at the last minute and felt left out. We agreed that next time we should get some of the men involved as tuxedo-clad waiters! Gutted I didn't think of that sooner.
Gillian and I spent a very gruelling hour setting up and perfecting our Bellini making before the guests arrived!
Everyone arrived at almost the same time, so my mixing skills were put under pressure right away, and despite my earlier practice, fell a bit short of Tom Cruise standards, but eventually the Prosecco is flowing into the glasses and not over the counter, everyone is furnished with a cocktail and the evening is well underway.
The cake decorating demonstration was a massive success and Jools and Jacks brought along a wonderful selection of cupcakes that sold like....erm....hot cakes. The standard in the cake decorating competition was very high, and I had the prestigious honour of judging which was not easy.
Congratulations Emma - our winner and thanks to Jools for providing the prize - an amazing selection of cup-cakes from Cupcakes and Co
Our raffle table soon began to look way too small with all the fabulously generous prize donations.
Huge thanks to Gillian's god daughters Ellie and Rosie who, armed with raffle ticket books and sparkly handbags for the money, did a magnificent job of selling tickets and then picking out the winners (except they didn't pick me!)
We were overwhelmed by everyone's generosity in helping us raise £545.80 in one evening! We were both beaming as we counted and re-counted the money at the end of the evening with a glass of Prosecco in hand!
A massive thanks to everyone involved. Another cocktail evening is definitely planned for Christmas time :D
After a week of gloomy skies and persistent rain, the sky cleared for the evening of our event and the sun came out! We can't believe our luck.
Tickets have sold for £5, which includes your first drink, a cupcake demo and the opportunity to decorate a cake of your own. The boys at work got wind of the event at the last minute and felt left out. We agreed that next time we should get some of the men involved as tuxedo-clad waiters! Gutted I didn't think of that sooner.
Gillian and I spent a very gruelling hour setting up and perfecting our Bellini making before the guests arrived!
Everyone arrived at almost the same time, so my mixing skills were put under pressure right away, and despite my earlier practice, fell a bit short of Tom Cruise standards, but eventually the Prosecco is flowing into the glasses and not over the counter, everyone is furnished with a cocktail and the evening is well underway.
 |
| Making sugar flowers for the cupcakes |
The cake decorating demonstration was a massive success and Jools and Jacks brought along a wonderful selection of cupcakes that sold like....erm....hot cakes. The standard in the cake decorating competition was very high, and I had the prestigious honour of judging which was not easy.
Congratulations Emma - our winner and thanks to Jools for providing the prize - an amazing selection of cup-cakes from Cupcakes and Co
 |
| Beautiful cupcakes from Cupcakes & Co before we got our hands on them! |
 |
| A fantastic array of raffle prizes |
Our raffle table soon began to look way too small with all the fabulously generous prize donations.
Huge thanks to Gillian's god daughters Ellie and Rosie who, armed with raffle ticket books and sparkly handbags for the money, did a magnificent job of selling tickets and then picking out the winners (except they didn't pick me!)
 |
| Rosie picks another winning ticket |
We were overwhelmed by everyone's generosity in helping us raise £545.80 in one evening! We were both beaming as we counted and re-counted the money at the end of the evening with a glass of Prosecco in hand!
A massive thanks to everyone involved. Another cocktail evening is definitely planned for Christmas time :D
Saturday 16 June 2012
Marple to Lyme Park - 16 miles in the bag
Today it is raining. I am definitely not into this enough yet to go out in bad weather, choosing instead to blog about last weekend's cycle and watch the rain falling at a 45 degree angle outside the window, whilst remaining dry.
Last Sunday it was a lovely sunny day, cool and a bit breezy so perfect for our first cycle of any substance, and it was with enthusiasm that we set off in the direction of Lyme Park with the intention of giving ourselves a decent work out on the hills that this route entails. You can click on the link below for the route we took
The first mile of gradual but persistent uphill left me with burning legs and slightly dented my confidence but the road levelled off a bit and became more undulating so that climbs were followed by enough of a recovery period to keep going. It was with something akin to smug satisfaction that we pedalled through the park gates.
After successfully navigating the cattle grid (bum out of the saddle, naturally) we enjoyed a pleasant ride through the park with a short detour down a dirt track that afforded us a magnificent view over the city of Manchester. Despite it being rather hazy we were able to make out the distinctive profile of the Hilton Hotel in the distance and the hills beyond.
 | |||
| View of Manchester from Lyme Park |
Cycling away from the traffic is so much nicer - particularly when it's downhill! Total rush of adrenaline! I was still a bit cautious though as memories of my last (and only) real attempt at off roading in Canada years ago have not been lost. In Canada, if a cycle route is described as 'Intermediate', they mean it! I managed to launch myself down the hillside independently of the bike and went rolling off into the undergrowth. This resulted in several nasty bumps and scratches, to my body and my pride - fortunately, none of them serious. This time I managed to stay on board.
Just over 2:15 hours later we arrived back home, rather saddle sore, but completely exhilarated and hooked. 16.37 miles - this is just the beginning.
 |
| In Lyme Park |
Bringing you up to speed
Step 1 - buy a bike.......wrong
Step 1 - photo shoot (publicity is everything)
A photo shoot without a bike simply wasn't going to have the same impact, so props were required. Thanks to Gillian's husband for the loan of his bike, and to Sam for venturing into the cold, wet Manchester weather with us to take the pics.
Now the plastic needed to take part as we ventured out to buy bikes. I say 'we' as my other half has had to accept that he is also doing this challenge in every way, apart from actually cycling in Cuba. Happily, I didn't meet much resistance as I think there is a bike geek just under his skin dying to get out! Thank goodness, as I am no expert when it comes to anything mechanical - I just want it to work.
Internet research done, we set out with a budget in mind and promptly blow it, with the help of the excellent sales staff at Royles in Wilmslow. We are now the proud owners of Trek Dual Sport Bikes, which take pride of place in the hall for the time being. They are far too beautiful to leave in the garage, and besides, our garage consists of little more than a few pieces of asbestos sheeting and rotten wood held together by ivy. Chris begins to devise a clever way of racking them upright in the porch. This involves some fancy hooks on the wall and a larger than expected amount of oomph to lift the bikes, given that they are 'lightweight'. The first attempt was not very successful as most of the wall came away with the weight of the bikes. A second drilling expedition resulted in greater success and, to date, the bikes are still holding fast.
 |
| Excellent space saving! |
It seemed like a good idea at the time
Am unsure how to start as this is my first blog, but will take a logical tack for now, and start at the beginning....which, of course, is a Pilates class on a wintry evening in Wilmslow.
It all started with a 'What do you think?' kind of question from my friend and work colleague Gillian Swain. In my relaxed state whilst engaging my core and gently exhaling, the idea of cycling across Cuba to raise money for Women v Cancer sounded incredible and my first thought was 'yes, I'm in!' It wasn't until I got back home and contemplated the pink leaflet Gillian had given me that I realised the full extent of what I would be signing up to - cycling 400km in 5 days is a big step up for someone who doesn't even own a bike and hasn't for over 5 years.
That said, I was inspired.
Sadly it is becoming a fact of life that most of us have been affected by cancer, whether it is our own battle or that of a friend or family member. Gillian and I have 2 work colleagues and friends who are both fighting cancer at the moment - breast and cervical. This is our inspiration.
When Gillian heard about this challenge, she knew she wanted to take part, and I am delighted, excited and nervous in roughly equal measure that she asked me to take part with her. With our other halves on board in a supportive capacity, we signed up.
Our challenge has begun and this blog is going to be my documentation of our training and fundraising between now and October 2013 when we leave for Cuba. I hope you will follow it with us over the next year and a half and share the fun, laughs (I'm sure there will be a few) and pains (also sure there will be plenty in the backside) that are to come. I will also share our routes around Cheshire, Derbyshire and hopefully further afield.
Look out for details of the fundraising events we are planning over the next 12 months, including a Ladies Cocktail evening, Cake Sales, a Fine Art Exhibition and a Football Quiz night.
We also hope that you will support us by visiting our Just Giving page to make a donation to the Women v Cancer appeal
Karen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)