Testing the old adage 'If you can't beat them, join them', I took a spin on a road bike.... and low and behold I have become a 'bl**** cyclist'!

Rarely seen out of lycra (fortunately not entirely true), I have been completely taken in by cycling and really love the sport. I quickly found myself with a lot of gear, and no idea. After a few humiliating slow motion falls (forgetting to unclip my shoes) I thought I'd better set myself a challenge to legitimise / redeem myself.

I stumbled across the opportunity to race in the inaugural London-Surrey 100 mile for ActionAid. It is a lot further than I was hoping to take on, but for such a great cause, I felt it was worth taking up the challenge.

For those of you not familiar with the work of ACTION AID, it was predominately a child sponsorship charity but has expanded massively. It does excelllent work, which includes specialising in emergency disaster relief 'ready for anything', sustainable programmes to fight poverty, and fighting gender inequalities.

As a 'Malawian' I was particularly excited by their strong presence in Malawi and their current project, MISSION MALAWI, improving education services and provision for schools, as well as vital education against the growing HIV epidemic.

So that's the 'why'. Where - is the 2012 olympic route heading right across central london before ducking out to surrey and contending the infamous leith and box hills. The 'how' is a work in progress, and proving a real challenge as I build up to this 100 mile slog, with long 6-7 hour rides sometimes alone, sometimes with my delightful cycling buddy lou! and the 'when' is the 4th August, when I would otherwise be celebrating my 30th birthday - interesting present!

So if you fancy supporting me and Action Aid, by donating money to this cause I would be most grateful and your generosity will be much appreciated!

Thank You!!!

 

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