On Saturday 26th June 2010, at a time when most people get ready to settle down for a nice evening watching a bit of TV, I will be standing outside a pub in Bristol, not with a pint in my hand, but with my favourite bike, ready to ride it for one night and one day!
THE CHALLENGE IN BRIEF:
TWO RIDES:
Saturday 26th June: The Exmouth Exodus, an overnight trip from Bristol to Exmouth, with a bunch of like minded people. Start time : 8pm / finish time: about 6am
Sunday 27th June: The Dartmoor Classic, a tough cyclo sportive across the spectacular Dartmoor National Park with about 2500 other riders. Start time: 7:30am / finish time: who knows?
COMBINED DISTANCE: 210 miles
RIDE TIME: 16 to 20 hours
WHY? I've done the Exmouth Exodus twice and the Dartmoor classic 3 times already. They have never clashed before but happen to be on the same weekend this year. My target for the Dartmoor Classic last year was to get a gold time (100 miles in less than 6 hours and 20 minutes), which I achieved, so there is less of a challenge in doing it this year.
However, riding 200 miles in less that 24 hours is something I've never done, so that's my challenge for this year! The fact that the Exmouth Exodus is an overnight ride and that the Dartmoor Classic is considered to be a little tough makes the whole thing far more exciting that just doing a straight 200 miles ride.
I believe this challenge is achievable, and so is changing our attitude towards transportation and our dependency on fossil fuel.
I have chosen to ride in support of Sustrans because their work has the potential to positively affect the lives of millions of people and dramatically reduce their environmental footprint.
Sustrans is the UK's leading sustainable transport charity, working on practical projects so people can choose to travel in ways that benefit their health and the environment. The charity is behind the award winning National Cycle Network, Connect2, Safe Routes to Schools, Bike It, TravelSmart, Active Travel and Liveable Neighbourhoods, all projects that are changing our world one mile at a time.
Riding a bike for 210 miles in less than 20 hours, fighting fatigue, sleep deprivation, potential bad weather, over hilly terrain, isn't everybody's idea of fun. To be perfectly honest, it isn't my ideal cycle workout either, but I'm excited at the prospect of embarking on something I'm not sure I can complete. I'm curious to find out how I will feel when I eventually get off my bike, and I'm excited by the idea of chatting to people about why I'm doing this, and telling them about Sustrans.
Your support matters a lot. Visit the Sustrans website for great cycle routes and cycling advice, get your bike out, ride 2 miles, ride 20… do as little or as much as you want, every step towards a more sustainable transport matters.
The many projects Sustrans develop every year are never fully financed by public funds. Your donations will go towards installations such as cycle routes and cycling facilities that will be available to YOU. Please give generously so these projects can make a real difference.
