So it seems 2023 is going to be the year of the Big Girl Pants. Now, I do quite like an annual challenge of doing things out of my comfort zone and wondering whether the Pants are big (or padded) enough, how the hell will I fit training into life, what injury am I going to self inflict next etc etc for whatever event it happens to be that year/month. But this one is a doozy. 

The brilliant team at Sportive Breaks via Cycling Plus (the UK’s best selling cycling magazine with some really good writers ;) ) have kindly (I think) gifted me a place in L’Etape de Tour - this year it’s Stage 14 of the Tour de France. It’s not something I have ever contemplated largely because it seems insane and why would anyone want to do 4100m of climbing over 152 km, but also because I know I’d need a pretty big motivator to solidly train at something I’m not a natural at and frankly am scared of (descents make me scream not always inwardly).

Unfortunately I have a massive motivator in the form of my close friend, Jen, who is bravely battling an aggressive cancer with an equally aggressive chemotherapy, facing all manner of hideousness which no one should have to go through. She is staring down her illness with courage, strength, dignity and a positivity that leaves us all in awe, although it’s in no way surprising given the person she is. If I have a fingernail of her steely determination and face my own challenge with the toughness that she shows then all will be well. And I won’t fall off a mountain.

We would be so grateful and honoured if you could help raise as much funds as possible for the Bristol based Penny Brohn charity which helps people holistically, supporting their cancer diagnosis and treatment through advice on wellness, nutrition, exercise, as well as counselling and providing an amazing support network. Your sponsorship will genuinely help me pedal that little bit harder and enable the charity to help more amazing people like Jen.

Thank you.