Me? On a bike? Pedalling? In Cuba?

If that thought alone is not hilarious enough to secure a donation, perhaps the knowledge that  the money raised will go towards one of the country's most up to date and highly specialised cancer units will help.

I'm going to cycle more than two hundred miles across Cuba over five days in November, and brave being saddle sore and sweaty in the name of charity. One in four people die from cancer so it really is a worthy cause, and the pioneering work of St James's Institute of Oncology is vital to help the increase the chances of survival of cancer victims from Yorkshire and beyond.

...And now, all of a sudden, there's only 27 hours before I have to set off. I'm not prepared! I don't know what I'm doing! I can't cycle all that way! I hate moving about and any form of physical exercise, and I want to preserve my kinetic energy at all times at all costs! And, thanks to being so disorganised, I'm about to get on a train out of Leeds to try and find last minute equipment that I failed to notice on the packing list before, and apparently is only available in selected specialist stores nationwide. I've never heard of any of it before and none of it comes cheap, but I'm sure they'll be worthwhile purchases I can use time and time again once I get home. All in the name of charity :-)

It's never too late to sponsor me! Anyone who's met me can surely apreciate how terrible I am at sports (still scarred from the terrible shame of being in bottom P.E. group at school) but rest assured, however red and sweaty I get (and that's just from thinking about it) I won't give up until I've pedalled through the last bit of jungle, past the last sugar plantation and up that last hill into the arms of a hot Cuban cocktail barista holding a refreshing Cuba Libre and a cigar for my troubles, and with any luck, Fidel himself too. So dig deep and help out a fantastic cause.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Leeds Teaching Hospital Special Trustees gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now! And if you're bored, come back and sponsor me again!

Harriet

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Latest Updates...

It might not be the key to cycling so far so quickly, but I really like my new helmet which has little silver flowers on it. On the list of dislikes are things such as rain, hills and punctures, all of which I seem to encounter with alarming regularity.

Time is running out so please don't delay! Every penny really does count.

Even more recent updates...

Still wobbling about like an idiot at weekends, but have now passed my target. Thank you so much! However...it's not too late. Come on, think of the ridiculous sight of my exercise face and get out your credit cards.

This is so plumb exciting!