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Following cancellation on Velo South on 23 Sep, I'll cycle the Wiggle South Downs 100 instead. I'll follow this with 15 minutes of press - ups and 3 minutes of squats! 

The Charity

Age UK West Sussex (www.ageuk.org.uk/westsussex) is a local, independent charity which has been supporting older people in West Sussex for over 60 years.  Their vision is a world in which older people flourish and their mission to improve the lives of older people in West Sussex. To give you an idea of how funds may be spent:

• £5 funds a home cooked 2-course lunch at one of Age UK's lunch clubs in Crawley, Bognor, Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill, Shoreham or Littlehampton or a weekly trip to one of Age UK's social events across the county.

• £40 funds an activity day in Littlehampton, Crawley, Burgess Hill or Haywards Heath for someone with dementia - giving much needed respite to their often older carer and stimulating and warm support to those living with this dreadful condition.

• £95 funds a six week course of support for someone just home from St Richards Hospital in Chichester – they can be discharged sooner knowing there is help at hand to get them back onto their feet and into the community.

The Race

Velo South cancelled, I'll now do the Wiggle South Downs 100 - with over 5,300 ft of climbing... more than the original event unfortunately! 

Velo South (www.velosouth.com) is a 100 mile closed road route through West Sussex. From a quick look at the route map on the event website, it is clear there are quite a few hills with about 4,500 feet of climbing in a route described as 'relatively challenging' which should make it slightly painful at points - particular highlights appear to be the steep ascents 81 and 86 miles after the start line!

The Racer

This will be my first bike race and, depending on how the training goes, quite possibly the first time I've ridden 100 miles on a bike in one go.  I bought a road  bike in May 18 and have been training during the summer with this race being my head mark.  I am looking forward to the challenge and raising money for a worthwhile cause whilst pushing myself in a new sport.

Thank you for reading and any sponsorship you a re able to offer will be hugely appreciated by Age UK West Sussex.

Francis Griffiths