Last September at the Oxfordshire County Rugby trials I managed to fully rupture my ACL and tear my meniscus, whilst making a tackle. Although I had suffered an ACL rupture 4 years earlier and have been through process before, nothing can describe the noise, pain and instant disappointment when it happens- you can write a whole year off due to the operation and rehab straight away.

I was lucky to get my operation fairly quickly, the meniscus had managed to flip itself over into the joint, which was preventing me from straightening my knee- I had a locked joint. The surgeon recognised that I couldnt walk, drive to work or do my job (I'm a PE teacher) and was keen to operate ASAP.

Once back home after the operation, with help from Pea Green Physio, the rehabilitation could begin. This was fairly restricted for the first four weeks as I was not allowed to weight bear at all, in order to allow the meniscus to heal. As time went on my knee began to straighten slightly, but it still felt very restricted. After meeting with the suregon to express my concern, it was decided that I needed to go back in for another operation to remove the built up scar tissue that was stopping my knee from straightening.

I was lucky to be able to have my physio and good friend Steph Smith attend and observe my surgery, however, when I came round the surgeon made it very clear that I have very weak knees that cannot withstand quick changes of direction and so in no uncertain words he told me 'no rugby, hockey, football, netball, basketball- anything with quick changes of direction. Only activities in straight lines'. This was a very bitter pill swallow as these types of activities had been my whole life since I was a teenager.

Over the next few months I pushed on with my rehab and was trying to come to terms with my situation but also trying to work out what new sports I may like to take up. Stopping completely and not having anything to do is not an option. Thats when John-Joe asked Ross and I if we were interested in participating in the London to Brighton off road cycle event. An easy decision to make- an acitivity that would get us fit, aid my rehab and give me some focus for the next few months.

We are now 15 weeks into the training programme and its going very well. Our last training cycle took us from Stratford Upon Avon back to Steeple Aston, 53 miles and a mix of road and off road tracks. It has not been easy, the first 10 weeks were pretty hard considering I had not ridden a bike for well over 10 years! On the day we will actually be cycling 75 miles, so we still have 5 weeks to go and lots of training to do. Not only is cycling a great outdoor activity, but it has improved both my mental and physical strength, which due to my injury, had been completely shattered.

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