This year's ride was a challenge I set myself after doing the Manchester 100k with my sister, Christine, last September. We had a great day and were really chuffed with ourselves and I decided then that I wanted to train for the 100-mile route.  Then, in December, Christine's partner, John, was diagnosed with a brain tumour which turned out to be cancerous.  Suddenly their whole lives were turned upside down.  All the normal, routine things they'd taken for granted were blown out of the water. Day by day they had to get used to different priorities, reactions of friends and family, a whole new vocabulary, decisions they never expected to have to make.

In April John completed six weeks of radiotherapy.  Sadly, while still waiting for a scan to tell him the results of this treatment, he died.  His death was a sudden and terrible shock for us all, but especially for Christine and his kids, Loren and Matt.  His funeral was a real celebration of John's life, in a church packed full of his family and friends.  It was no more than he deserved.

Some of us took part in the Liverpool/Chester ride on July 18th.  If you'd like to know more about that, please visit John's page at www.justgiving.com/MakeUsA Brew  

The Manchester ride was great.  A bit windy at times but we were pretty lucky with the weather.  There was a great atmosphere and it was brilliant seeing so many bikes on the road.  I could feel myself flagging on some of the hills but good luck messages from Paul and my brilliant sisters kept me going.  Thank you to everyone who's sponsored me.  I've been really touched by the support and messages.

If you would like to support the Christie's work then it's not too late to make a donation.  I'm not setting a target because in raising any money at all I'm relying on the generosity of other people.  There are lots of good causes out there and a lot of people are struggling with money at the moment.  If you can give any amount at all you're really helping me and, by extension, a whole load of people you've never even met, who are all trying, like John and Christine, to cope with this frightening illness.