Never ever take a bet
while drunk. Great advice if only I
could remember it! Last weekend, while
under the influence of the amber nectar and celebrating a great home win for
Bath Rugby (yes I said a home win) a gauntlet was thrown down. The fatal words "I will if you
will" backed by a promise of a huge donation towards a fundraising target
I solemnly promised to put my mouth or rather backside, where the money was. Waking up the next day I started to realise
the monumental challenge I had agreed to.
Not one to back out on any challenge I contemplated the magnitude of the
task ahead.
How far have I ridden previously
in one go? Umm 80 miles. And how did I feel after that? Emotionally drained,
elated, proud and mostly thankful I did not have to get back on my bicycle the
next day. All of those feelings entered
my head when I finished. Ok 106 miles a day for 9 days then, how on earth am I
going to ready and steady myself to ride that?
Well here is the thing. I have been looking for a challenge for a
while and while there are lots of sportives to choose from, there is nothing I
have found that really took my fancy.
I have been working hard recently on my stamina, fitness and general
speed so that is coming along however, I have still tons to learn about road
cycling (in particular how to change a punctured wheel). But do you know what, I have began to realise
my desire to ride the length of the country is deeply rooted within me. I remember as a young lass my father telling
me about his great grandfather who was a coach
sign-writer (horse drawn) and who cycled miles all over Scotland and
into Northern England in order to do his job.
I was in awe of that feat. I
could not comprehend the magnitude of that at the time but when I rode my
longest ride to date I really enjoyed it, despite falling off and feeling tired
and sore I enjoyed every hilly, painstaking minute of it.
The JOGLE is going to be
hard, it is going to require lots of training, mental toughness and heart. But I have got it in spades and boy I am determined
to love every minute of it. You have one
life and you have to live it to the full.
I intend to do so. How about you?
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