Getting back into the saddle

Tuesday 26 July 2011

Our Corporate Partnerships Manager, Ria Wilson, has taken on a challenge to cycle almost 200 miles from the UK’s bustling capital to the beautiful streets of gay Paris – all in the name of charity. We asked her to keep a training diary and here’s how she's getting on (or more aptly, not getting on...)

Saturday 18 June (first training session)

The London to Paris Bike Ride is fast approaching (September) and I am slightly worried about the lack of training undertaken thus far. That said, I managed an impressive 45 mile cycle to Seaford today (the fear finally urging me onto the saddle), crazily cycling back along the A27.  My fellow cyclist for the day, Ryan Cool (I know, what a great surname), completed the London to Paris Bike Ride on his very nice carbon fibre road bike last year.  I looked like Mary Poppins, trying to keep up on my heavier Globe (Excuses already. I know what you’re thinking: “a bad workwoman...”). 

But I did learn a few things from my first adventure, which will hopefully aid me in the rest of my training:

1) cycling up steep hills too fast makes me want to be sick at the top of them
2) a hill isn’t a hill, it’s an “incline” (apparently) 
3) concentrate on the floor, not the horizon, when approaching said “incline” (seriously this is a great psychological trick)
4) I’ve swallowed lots of insects today because I seem to be directly in their flight path. Note to self, keep mouth closed!

Sunday 17 July

Hmm, I’m not sure how the last month has passed by so quickly with very little training. I decide it’s time to do something about it. Things start well with plenty of enthusiasm and discussion over the route with my friend Paul.  But all goes pear shaped when the heavens open to reveal very heavy, large cold drops of Britain’s finest rain. 

A short confab on the phone later results in a favourable decision to go to the Spring Watch Festival at Stanmer Park instead.  Paul and I manage to sample many different foodie delights including goat sausages and vegan street food (separately of course) and between us purchase the majority of Brighton and Hove Council’s herbage and cannas. I’m pretty sure that eating instead of training is possibly the worst alternative I could’ve chosen, but there’s always tomorrow to get back on the bike...

To sponsor Ria, visit her online fundraising page.

To sign up for this challenge, or one of our many other exciting challenges, call 01273 330044.