Counting sprockets

For the last couple of years a number of us have ridden the 52 mile London Bikeathon as a team for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. In fact, we received a prize this year for our joint fund raising efforts – over £7000. I thought we could make a bigger fund raising effort next year with a full-on bike adventure.

It’s over eight years since I did a big, multi-day bike ride.

It was July 2002 and eight and a half days after setting off from the southern most tip of mainland Britain I arrived at the far north-eastern tip of Scotland. Lands End to John O’Groats, all 903 or so miles of it.

On finishing I said I would never do that ride again. The weather was perfect. Tailwind for 800 of the 900+ miles, no rain and not a single mechanical issue. Not even a puncture. Any ride on that route after that would be a disappointment in some way.

For the challenge next year I was keen to choose a route that would be accessible to as wide a number of people as possible. Something that could be undertaken by those with a modicum of fitness without having to put in weeks and weeks of training before hand. London to Paris is a popular choice. I reckon it’s four days of steady riding (depending on route) with the added excitement of the channel crossing and the glamour of a finish on the Champs Élysées.

So, it’s out in the open. There’s no going back now. Next summer (2011) we’ll throw a leg over the pushy and head for Paris.

More details to follow in the coming months. I will pester for sponsorship in good time.

Tags:   charity · london to paris · sponsorship5 Comments