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!