We've done it! Just after 6pm, Cuba time, on Thurdsay 12th November we reached Trinidad having set out from Habana 5 days earlier. The first 2 days were really difficult as we were battling a head wind which was the tail end of a hurricane, Day 3 was totally different with temperatures reaching 34c and crystal blue skies, fortunately it was a short riding day. Day 4, the hill day, how do you get up knowing you are going to end the day climbing a hill for 7.8 km in the intense heat...we did it with the reward being the most amazing view over the reservoirs of Hannabanilla. Day 5, the longest ride of the challenge. We got to ride down the 7.8 km hill we climbed the day before - no speed limits so just went for it! Passing through beautiful countryside & villages, the locals were very friendly, stopping to watch with smiles & "halo's", we finally arrived in Trinidad as the sun was setting for the final leg along the peninsula to our destination for 2 nights rest & relaxation - hot water!!!!!
Anybody wanting a challenge and not believing you can do it, just go for it, I can wholeheartedly recommend it - I've taken 7 years to achieve this challenge and it's the best thing I have ever done. Thank you to all my friends & sponsors for your unwavering belief I could do it & your support. The biggest thank you goes to Clive for all his training & keeping me laughing the whole way through while at the same time cycling & keeping himself going....there are some stories to tell but definately not for the www.........
Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. I need your help in achieving my goal of Cycling across Cuba for NACC charity - Cuban Revolution Cycle 6th-15th November 2009
This is it, the final few days before flying out to Cuba on Friday ready to start riding on Sunday afternoon, am I ready? Besides the last minute panic of "have I trained enough & can I do it?" I guess I'm as ready as you can be when undertaking the unknown.....
Thank you to everyone who has donated so far, it's not too late to donate now or when you know I have actually achieved it!
Update: Friday 11th Sept - just £198 to go to reach the first milestone, training has been slow this week, I've stuck to the injury repair advice & how bored am I?!! Still all the more reason to spend the weekend on the motorbike & head back on to pedal power mid next week with a leisurely ride home from work (22 miles) on Wednesday. have a great weekend everyone & enjoy the sunshine
Just as a little test, we participated in Action 100 - Bristol to London (100 miles) on Sunday 30th August, we started and we finished but I had to have some motor assistance along the way due to tearing a muscle above the right knee - not one to give up I got back on the bike towards the end and crossed that finish line ...got a medal to prove it!
In order to take part, I needed to raise £2,228 in sponsorship by Tuesday 2nd September 2009. At 4.15 pm today, Friday 4th Sept, I have just £363 to go - Thank you to everyone, your support has been phenomenal. I have already paid the deposits, insurance, medical requirements (I so hate injections..), got up at sunrise to car boot and put in over 20 hours a week training in preparation, as well as working full time, feeding the cats...etc, etc! Your help in achieving this target would be greatly appreciated and will go a little way to helping research into Colitis & Crohn's disease.
As many of you will know, I have Crohn's disease, the most memorable 'episode' being 7 month's in hospital, 5 operations, multiple organ failure & the wheelchair....as I was a sleep for most of it, I don't remember very much about it other than being aware of having the most amazing family, friends & medical attention imaginable - without them I would not be alive today - saying thank you isn't enough, I want to contribute by raising awareness and sponsorship in order to help NACC fund research & find either a cure, prevention or some relief for sufferers of Colitis & Crohn's Disease (www.nacc.org.uk)
While I was recuperating I came across an article which mentioned cycling across Cuba for charity, it has stuck with me ever since that that's what I wanted to do. Thinking about it and actually doing it are two totally different things & time ticks by from one year to another. On 9th August 2008 I set about making that change and started by losing weight, training and gaining peak fitness - training 6 days a week for 5 months! Having exceeded the ridiculous targets I set for myself with the help of my personal trainer & cycling buddy, Clive, I made the committment to Cycle Cuba (350 kms) over 5.5 days during November this year for NACC (6th - 15th). Clive is participating in the challenge as well as training me, raising money for Cancer Research UK.
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