Update: Well the months have marched by and the Atos Tour is fast approaching. The UK team have done a fantastic job and have raised £7,846 so far for our charity Macmillan Cancer Support! With only a few weeks left to go my training is going well & my mental determination is strong which will definitely help me get over the line. I've had a few issues after about 80 miles into a ride in the "sitting down department" but have recently invested in new snazzy shorts and have adjusted my saddle so hopefully I'll be able to grin and bear it...if not I'll  just grin and bare it, pull a moonie and get arrested to raise some dosh! 

If you can spare a few minutes and follow the link I would be really grateful if you could sponsor me and get me over my £400 target.  

Hi everyone,  I am currently in training for my latest challenge which is to self-propel my Lycra'd self to Eindhoven (Holland) from Paris, 470km or 292 miles in old money, over 2 days this September. That's the same as cycling from Aberystwyth to Clacton-on-Sea.  The  ascent over the 2 days is 4,400 metres which is the equivalent of cycling up Matterhorn....undulating hills though rather than one big peak as the region is not renowned for its mountainous terrain!

Not only is the distance and ascent a big challenge but as I'm cycling in my company's cycling team, I will need to ride in the team peloton and keep to an average of 25km/hour.  I popped up to Merthyr last weekend, a mere 80km ride and averaged 20km/hour so as you can see I've also got to pedal harder, faster, longer than ever before...and then do it all again the next day!

Why am I doing this?  The Atos Tour is an annual event with 70 participants, from all four corners of our global organisation, cycling together to raise money for cancer support charities.  Atos very generously organises this event and provides out-riders, mechanics, paramedics, food, fluid and tlc over the 2 days to get us all over the line! This is a huge physical and mental challenge for me and I'm determined to pedal my way over the finish line, but to give me even more determination I am raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support.  Rest assured every single penny I raise will go to Macmillan - it won't go to pay for my Eurostar ticket, a new bike or this season's latest cycling jersey... I've already got those covered from my own wallet! 

I would be very grateful if you could show your support for my challenge by making a donation to Macmillan Cancer Support which, I am sure you will all agree, is a very worthy and heart-warming cause. 

Thank you for your support - your donation will make me smile with every mile!

Much love,

Nina x

PS the picture of the "UFO" is the Evoluon in Eindhoven, which was a science and technology museum back in the 70's, and is the finishing point for the Atos Tour.  I spent many a happy hour in my childhood wandering around the Evoluon as it's not too far from where I grew up in Holland...it'll be a trip down memory lane!