Back home again!
It was the most amazing trip. The cycling was hard but the scenery was beautiful and the cmaraderie amongst the cyclists was wonderful. We did and saw so many things and it was all worthehile when, at the end of the trip, we visited the existing Heal children's village as well as the site of the new Paradise village where building has already begun. The children are so happy and smiley and gave us a tremendous welcome as well as putting on a spectacular presentation of singing, dancing, taekwondo etc. So, lots of laughter and lots of experiences later, I am trying to readjust to normal life and wondering when I can sign up for Cycle India 2014!
IN INDIA AND CYCLING HARD. The company is wonderful, the scenery is truly beautiful and the cycling is tough but I have managed to cycle eb\very inch of the way so far. Today was incredibly hard - a climb of 1500 feet in 8km - no flats, no downs, just up! And that was sg\fter a couple of hours in the saddle already! But it was meant to be a challenge and I am enjoying pushing myself close to the limit. Thank you all for your amazing support xx
Thank you for visiting my page. In January 2011 I took my bike out of the shed, got rid of all the cobwebs and spiders, bought new tyres to replace the rotten ones and went for a tentative ride round the block. In January 2012, at the age of 62, I am planning to cycle 350km through the countryside of Kerala in Southern India. It will be a challenging ride over some very hilly terrain: http://www.heal.co.uk/cycle-ride-itinerary.html. Why? Because I am raising money for an amazing small charity, Heal, which helps provide education and healthcare to hundreds of children from underprivileged backgrounds in Andhra Pradesh.
I'm covering all my own costs and then hope to raise at least £2750 for Heal. As the charity is run by volunteers 99% of the money I raise will go to helping the kids in India. So, please dig deep and be as generous as you can :-) Read about the wonderful work you will be supporting at www.heal.co.uk
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
UPDATE OCTOBER 2011.
I have been doing some good rides over the summer and getting fitter and fitter. 30 miles is fairly easy now and I did one ride of 60 miles with my daughter Claire. Over the next couple of months I need to keep getting out as the weather gets colder and tackle more steep hills - no mean challenge! I've started my fundraising and am trying to think of some good ways to get still more!
DECEMBER 2011
Not long to go now. I have done another 50 miler with Claire - this time in the South Downs which is very hilly indeed so some good practice. Thanks to my friend Paul (an ironman triathlete!) for giving me a mantra for when the going gets tough - 'we like the hills, they make us strong' which I chant as I puff up them. I've got out all the warm gear and have been very fortunate with some lovely sunny rides so late in the year. Thank you to you all for your support in so many ways.
ALMOST CHRISTMAS
And last weekend I did my first ride in the snow, desperate to try to maintain my fitness and stamina. It was truly beautiful and I saw lots of wildlife as no-one else was about to disturb them. Not quite the elephants, monkeys and tigers I'm hoping to see in India but a red kite, a heron, a beautiful fox and a flight of lapwings. Makes it all so much easier! Please keep the money coming in - the Heal children need it more than you do! Happy Christmas and New Year to you all.
ALMOST THERE!!
Only two days until I go! So excited - and a bit scared too. Thank you to ALL of you who have given so generously and enabled me to smash my original fundraising target. Please don't stop giving - this charity needs your money and it will make a huge, huge difference. I've done all the preparation I can and now I'm going out there to try not to let you all down. I'll keep this updated from Kerala if I possibly can. Thank you, thank you. xx
