If you asked me at the beginning of this year if could cycle the Etape du Tour I would have laughed out loud. I didn’t even have a proper bike! Now with just 2 weeks to the final day I am all-about the Etape & my wizzy Baby Bike. Yes, it’s named Baby Bike because its frame is the smallest I’ve ever seen. And cycling with others is like being amongst big & ultrafast monsters. Or maybe it’s just me being intimated by this mad idea of being a part of something as HUGE as the Etape du Tour?
So what it is this Etape....the world’s largest road bike race, the 17 stage of Tour de France open to amateur cyclists, the toughest thing I’ve ever signed up for. 9,500 riders from all over the world will contest a 181k , crossing 3 huge pyrneian passes: the Col de Marie-Blanque (steep & sharp, 9.5k climb), the Col du Soulor (never ending 22k climb) and the famous Col du Tourmalet (19k killer climb). It is estimated that only 7,000 riders get to the end. The Etape 2010 is TOUGH! It’s over 4200 meters of climbing! The Etape route is brutal! And the last kilometre is a soul-destroying challenge.
To give myself a chance of completing the challenge I turned my life upside down. Twice a week I wake up at 5am and follow my fellow cyclists. I ride before & after work. I ride for 5, 6, 7, 8 hours each Saturday or Sunday. I’ve forgotten completely about social life & leisure (I hope I still have some friends left ;) . I stay away from cheese & wine (well kind of). I stretch & sweat in Bikram studio and most importantly – gave up smoking completely! The only reason why I managed to keep my wonderful boyfriend is because we cycle together! Yes, his passion was contagious...
And now I need YOU to help me get through this horrendous route. I know that once I hit the steepest part of the Col de Marie-Blanque I’ll also hit the toughest thought – why am I doing it???? And this is where you can help me push my bike a bit further.....your penny is gonna make me stronger!!!
I’ve chosen to raise money for two projects: Kingston Centre for Independent Living and Kingston Brain Injury Group. KCIL helps people with various disabilities live as independently as it is possible in the community. They do a brilliant job! . For over 40 years they have campaigned for full equality of status, opportunity & inclusion for all disabled people. Independence is what we all are thriving for... Let’s help them out! KCIL also helps my clients with acquired brain injuries take back control over their life. Hence, the second good cause – Brain Injury Group – a support group for those who sustained a brain injury in tragic accidents, those whose lives changed unexpectedly within seconds & will never be the same.... Those who survive have to adjust to a very different life & accept a very new self. Recovery for them isn’t a destination but a never ending journey. Kingston Brain Injury Group & KCIL support them on this trek.
Together we can make a difference! No matter how big or small the donation – every penny counts. Remember – it gives me strength to get through the Etape route & stay away from the broom wagon!
...No pain no gain, as they say!
Will be in touch
Thank you!
Joanna
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