a three day cycle ride from london to paris in aid of Cornwall Hospice Care
Monday, 23 February 2009
In the dark
Yippee, the days are drawing out but most of my rides are still in the dark. Actually I quite like it when the world reduces to a tiny hemisphere of lamp light and I go into a world of my own. It's best not to arrive anywhere except back home, fluorescent tops, bum and knee saggy leggings and day glow ankle bands are not elegant. I know that spring is on her way because I'm beginning to see frogs and toads crossing the roads, every time I have to stop and carefully carry them to the grass verge. It's embarrassing to be caught red - frog handed but I can't bear to see them squashed, little arms stretched out in vain towards the safety of the verge. Pathetic as it sounds I also stop to remove worms from the road but I do draw the line at slugs which have to take their slimy chance. I am the person who moves dead rabbits, badgers and foxes out of the road. I hate to watch their bodies flattened a little more by every passing car. It's best if the buzzards and magpies or even then blow flies can clean up their once proud bodies. Back to the dark: there are strange rustlings in the bushes, the rare and silent shadow of a barn owl and the tooth rattling pot hole that you know all about yet still catches you out, the constant water leaks near Trythall School and Trescowan and friendly hootings and flashing from cars that pass in the night.
In September 2009 I will be cycling from London to Paris in three days to raise money for Cornwall Hospice Care. Ignoring the wet bit in the middle, the total distance is 210 miles. In the coming months I'll be writing about the trials and tribulations of preparing for this challenge while getting fit and raising money. Please keep checking this site for my regular updates. All money raised goes straight to the Hospices charity and any amount you DONATE would be much appreciated.
It's almost time to start packing my bike and gathering up passport, spare inner tubes and euros. We set off from Tower Bridge in London on Friday 18 September and are due to arrive in Paris late in the afternoon on Sunday 2oth.
Raising Money
My original target was to raise £1000 for Cornwall Hospice Care but thanks to the generosity of so many people I have increased this figure to a mighty £4000, this figure includes the costs of the trip which I am paying myself. I am very grateful to everyone who has supported me so far, it is tremendously encouraging and inspires me to continue with the fundraising and to work even harder on my cycling. You can donate online via Just Givingor if you prefer to give cash or a cheque then email me for details of where to send it. All money raised goes direct to Cornwall Hospice Care as soon as it is received.
I cannot remember a time when I didn't ride a bike, I started with a kids'
tricycle called Bigger Machine and have progressed to two beautiful Marins -
a Mill Valley known as my Summer Bike and a Point Rayes with added front suspension which I call my Winter Bike. I work from home so I don't get the chance to cycle to work instead I rely on going out in the evenings and at weekends. I live in West Cornwall and my normal evening ride is into Penzance - a 12 mile round trip up and down some fairly steep hills. I know nothing about gear ratios, cadence, shifters, chainrings, headsets nor the thousand and one other things 'real' cyclists discuss, all I know is that it is not a good day if I have not been on my bike.
I rely totally on the Cycle Centre in Penzance which is the best bike shop ever.
If you want to support Peggy in this challenge PLEASE leave a comment on the blog to let us know you enjoy reading it!
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