Ride 1

Today I embarked on my Heavy Metal Truants Virtual Charity Bike Ride. I am aiming to ride 175 miles by 4th June!

But wasn't quite the start I'd planned!

My friends Corinne and Duncan were joining me on my ride today and when they arrived the heavens opened!

As we set off, the rain turned to hail. But we rode all the same. Thank you both for your company.

We started on the road, riding to Hatchet Pond, just outside Brockenhurst and then returned via the trails through the woods, hoping to get some shelter!

I managed 13.10 miles, but boy it was wet! And cold!

My husband Barry has created this chart to show what I've done and what mileage I still have left to do. 

When the ride isn’t virtual, it starts at Alexandra Palace in London and finishes at the Download Festival in Donnington. So by Barry’s calculations, I have made it as far as Enfield!

I will endeavour to take some photos on my ride, but today was just a head down kind of day!

On the plus side, my empty water butts in the garden got filled up :-)

Why was I out cycling in the rain and hail today?

The Heavy Metal Truants ride is a fundraising ride.  It raises money for children's charities - Teenage Cancer Trust, Childline, Nordoff Robbins and Save the Children.  All these charities do great work in supporting children through the challenges that life throws at them.  These charities have been financially hard hit this past year, but have still been working tirelessly to help children.

I read today that every day 7 young people are diagnosed with cancer and The Teenage Cancer Trust support these young people. But for every person they support, there's another they can't help due to a lack of funds. 

By sponsoring me, we can try and change this.

I know there are many demands on your money, but every penny counts. Thank you.

You can sponsor me here 

Only 161.9 miles to go!

My Cycling Challenge for The Heavy Metal Truants 2021

I am a bit of a reluctant cyclist.  I’m not keen of the thought of going out on a bike ride, but I love it once I’m out cycling around The New Forest.

Since having M.E. I have tried hard to try and get fit, but its always been an uphill struggle (excuse the pun!)

When we first moved to the New Forest, I took part in a 25 mile bike ride.

Five years ago, I did a 5km charity “run” (for run read slow trundle).

So it’s time I challenged myself again.

So I’ve entered the Heavy Metal Truants  2021: Nine Lives - Virtual Challenge.

This involves a virtual bike ride of 175 miles - the equivalent of cycling from London to Donnington where the Download Festival was scheduled to take place.

We are given from 24th May until 4th June to cycle the 175 miles, but this will be a huge challenge for me!

My efforts will be in aid of some very deserving charities - Teenage Cancer Trust, Childline, Nordoff Robbins and Save the Children who’ve all been hit hard by these troubled times and have continued to do their work through it all.

When going on a long journey in a slow vehicle, it’s prudent to set off early.  So that is what I’m going to do! I am going to start this challenge earlier in the hope of being able to cycle 175 miles before 4th June!

I would be very grateful if you could sponsor me. Each donation will go to help children - Teenage Cancer Trust, Childline, Nordoff Robbins and Save the Children.

My sponsorship page can be found at here and each and every donation would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

I am hoping that I will be able cover the distance and will do as many miles as I can towards this total. Knowing that I have your support and sponsorship will spur me on do the best I can and cover as many miles as possible. 

For transparency, I do have an e-bike which helps me cope with hills, but I will be peddling all the way.

I will do updates of my progress on this blog.

Thank you for your support.

Julie x