Zoe and Gina are cycling 450km with Women V Cancer from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to Angkor Wat in Cambodia and we would be grateful if you would support us in raising funds for two amazing charities who are raising awareness, providing support, and funding research into breast and ovarian cancers. We have both lost dear friends and family over the years to this horrible disease and know many more who continue to live under its cloud. It seems that no-one is untouched by this illness which takes a terrible toll both on them, and their families.

We are SELF-FUNDING this trip, so be assured that ALL the money raised on Just Giving goes to these fabulous charities.

We have been friends for more than 21 years and after a mad moment over supper last September, Gina suggested Zoe should join her on this cycling challenge. The website promised idyllic paths by riverbanks edged with palm trees, exploring temples, floating markets, and pagodas. Then, the detailed itinerary arrived, and the realisation hit that we would be cycling up to 55 miles a day over 6 days in tropical heat and humidity.

For those who are old hands at this cycling lark, 55 miles a day may seem a walk (or a cycle….) in the park. Once we had dusted off our bikes, we started training in January. After we found our first ride, a 12-mile cycle, challenging, it became clear how unfit we were! We have been training over the last nine months by cycling at least once a week and mostly twice, in all weathers, sometimes just for 2 hours and sometimes for 4 or 5 (with coffee breaks…). We have had a lot of fun along the way and are now approaching the home strait. Although the joys of sore bottoms, bug bites, and chafing in areas we are yet to discover all lie ahead (as well as a suntan in time for Christmas!)

If you’d like to know more about how each charity is making a difference for women affected by cancer, visit their websites below.

Breast Cancer Now: www.breastcancernow.org

Ovarian Cancer Action: www.ovarian.org

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