No doubt you will have been amazed by some of the herculean cycling efforts of my colleagues for the Optoms Cycling for Sight, World Sight Day Challenge.

Building on previous years amazing efforts, this year the organisers hope to encourage individuals and teams to cycle a total of 25,000 miles and raise donations of £25,000. All the money raised will go towards Optometry Giving Sight who provide the gift of vision by providing glasses to people who would otherwise go without.

The World Sight Day Challenge is meant to be as it says, a challenge. Having been on my bike a handful of times this year, and not having ventured further than the Eastbourne city limits, I wondered what my challenge could be? Miss Fe has suggested that I am not as young as I once was, a visit to the GP would be in order and to take it steady. What a cheek, I am after all, in the manner of Miss Jean Brodie in my prime!

My first thoughts were of course London to Brighton, not a hope I doubt I have cycled that far in total over the last decade. Keeping Brighton as the destination next choice was for an Eastbourne departure. Assuming it was unlikely to find a time the tide was out low enough and long enough that I could cycle along the beach the main obstacle would be Beachy Head, if I could make it up there then the rest hopefully should be easy.

One sunny morning, it was time for a practice run. Leaving Sovereign Harbour I pointed the bike towards Beachy Head, making use of the latest Council provided cycle obstacle course. No problem getting to the foot of the hill, this could be achievable. After a few feet wobbling along the road, the bridleway up the hill looked like a safer option. The realisation dawned on me that the terminology Mountain Bike was misleading, it was more of a Down Mountain Bike only.  Getting off and pushing was the only way. After much puffing I looked down towards Eastbourne, Newhaven was hardly visible and Brighton was further again, and to make matters worse like interest rates the hills went up as well as down.

Drastic action would be needed. Cycling back towards the harbour I glanced across the bay towards Hastings. It appeared largely flat, behind me towards Beachy Head was something rmore akin to the Himalayas. With the cunning of a Norman planning a conquest, this is what the challenge should be, Eastbourne Pier to Hastings Pier.

The word challenge is of course relative and I am afraid I will not be able to impress with a trans-continental journey. However to me as I huff, puff and wobble my way the 17 miles towards Hastings please consider sponsoring me, either out of sympathy or amusement.

Remember it is for a good cause. Should Miss Fe prove correct in her assessment of my physical condition, it was nice knowing you, and please make a donation to Optometry Giving Sight rather than sending flowers.

Thanks

David

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