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The inspiration for Sandra and I doing this 200 mile cycling challenge comes from wanting to thank the people at BHF who have been so supportive during my own illness and also to my dad who had a heart transplant 10 years ago - hopefully I won't have to go that far!!

Heart disease is very common now and I remember being really shocked seeing children as young as 3 or 4 being looked after while they waited for surgery and it had a real impact on me as our children were only a little older. Our aim in doing this event is to try to raise awareness through being a BHF volunteer and also raise some much needed funds through events like this. The BHF provide so much care and support for people and their families that we really wanted to do anything we could to help them. However, I'm sure our backsides will not be so keen when the training for all this starts for real !!

Thank you again and we really appreciate any help you can give as it really does improve the lives of people with heart disease and their loved ones. Here's to Vaseline and a rubber ring!!

 

 

Well - a quick progress update: we have been working really hard in the background to try tp get the money raised and my sister Anne and Sandra's sister Helen have been brilliant in helping us to get there. Helen held a very successful coffee morning and Anne coerced the staff and customers at the Bot to part with some of their hard earned money.

Sandra and I also held a coffee morning at home just for the neighbours but we were totally shocked at how generous everyone was - so we are hoping that the pub quiz and the clothes swap party will finish off the fundraising and allow us to concentrate on the training which has been sadly lacking to this point!!

Anyway, from here on in we are getting serious about getting on the bikes as time is marching on. I will update again soon and a massive thank you to everyone who has helped us and so kindly donated to the charity.

Challenge Complete!!

Well it is all over now and it was a unique and very challenging experience. Sandra and I worked quite hard in the lead up to the start but as it turns out, perhaps not hard enough. We had a very challenging few days where the schedule was hectic and the pace unrelenting. Our group were excellent and we all supported each other through the difficult times over the 3 days. The first section from London down to Dover took place in 27 degree temperatures and some of the hills will live with me forever - I didn't think it was possible to cycle vertically! However, we did make it to Dover in time for the ferry and got to France on schedule.

 

The second day began in Calais and we were away bright and early @ 7am and although it was flat, it was also a challenge of  different kind as there was never an opportunity to rest and enjoy the incredible ride through some beautful countryside including through Dunkirk. The run in to Bruges remained flat but the 29 degree temperatures made it an energy-sapping day and no matter how much you drank, it wasn't enough. Eventually we did make it though and it was a great feeling of euphoria and relief at the end. It was so pleasing to repay all the faith everyone showed in us by donating and such a relief just to get off the bike and rest weary limbs. Our medic on the trip summed it up at the end when he told us "..it is meant to be a real challenge, not just a leisurely cycle through the countryside." And my goodness was it a challenge to both of us.

 

So thanks again from Sandra and myself to everyone for all your support - we couldn't have done it without you. I know the funds raised (more than £30k so far by this group) will be put to great use by BHF and I would recommend the experience to anyone as long as you are prepared to put in the hard work.

 

Seamus & Sandra