And why, you ask, would I do such a thing? When I've never cycled more than 20 miles, and have spent the last few years pootling around the flatlands of Cambridge on a tiny single-speed bike? Good question! In short, it's because I think my current work is super important, and I want to see *even more* exciting things happen when I'm gone. 

So I'm cycling a stupidly long way, and asking anyone and everyone to consider donating! 

So here's the story.

After nearly 14 years in Cambridge I am finally taking the road North and moving back up to County Durham. But Cambridge is full of outrageously wonderful people through whom God is doing astonishing things - including the gang at Cambridge & District Youth for Christ.

For four years I've worked with this team to see young people's lives changed by Jesus. And they'll do anything to serve that cause: running wild residentials full of gunge, gospel and go-karts; hosting national conferences for youth leaders; creating communities of churches committed to learning together; and all whilst doing the day-to-day business of discipleship with young people, praying like it all depends on God and working like everything we do makes a difference!

And everything they do *does* make a difference - to young people, youth leaders and to churches across the region - and as I leave I want to see them released to do even more. So if you've ever been blessed by a youth leader, or by a youth event, or even by me... please consider donating!  

For those of you interested in the actual process, you can see my planned route here - https://cycle.travel/by/elaine_grant. It'll be 309 miles if all goes well, and a total of 2 kilometres of up-and-down - which is a very alarming prospect for a girl who's lived in the flat-as-a-pancake fens for the last decade and a half! I do have a bike with gears now though, and will be cycling up and down Castle Hill to try and get myself ready... 

Those of you who've done any exercise with me will know I need constant feeding and am always in danger of spontaneous combustion. Fortunately my amazing brother-in-law Will is going to be my support vehicle, keeping me supplied with boiled eggs and spraying me with water from his car when I look too red in the face!  

But if you've ever cycled in a strong wind and sworn never to get on a bike again, or ever got through the last hobnob and still had 10 miles to go before a cuppa, or woken up and wanted nothing more than to duvet-burrito for a day... me too! If I make it to Gateshead in one piece I'm planning on sleeping for a week. 

Until then, I'll be training hard and trying not to think too much about what's coming. 
Please do donate! 

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