Late last month, I wrote about the charity running challenge I’d set myself.
As an update, as of today I’m at 61km completed, though things have, er, changed a little bit. As of this week, I’ve upped my total, from 80 miles (just under 130km) to 100 miles (161km). I’m not just hoping that I can do it (I’ve never ever run that much in a month) as well as hoping that it might push me to get more sponsorship for Macmillan Cancer Support. At the minute it’s looking pretty dire.
But running isn’t the only thing you can do to help Macmillan raise money. Later this year, in October in fact they’re holding a women-only sportive series – Macmillan Cycletta. Sunday 2 October Tatton Park will host Macmillan Cycletta Cheshire, with route distances of 20, 40 and 80km. Then, one week later (9 October) Woburn Abbey will host Macmillan Cycletta Bedfordshire, where cyclists can choose from 24, 40 and 70km options.
The different distances make it easy for all abilities to be able to take part – whether you’re an experienced cyclist or have never ridden a bike before. You also don’t need to worry about having a specialist bike or gear – the courses are accessible too – whether you’ve got a shopper or a Chopper, road bike or Brompton.
Woburn, Bedfordshire, UK. 29th June 2014. Victoria Pendleton at Cycletta Bedfordshire, a women only cycling event.
Of course, Macmillan would like as many women as possible to take part and being a Manchester woman, dropped me a line. And much as I wanted to say yes, I have a pretty reasonable excuse. I’ll be running Chester marathon – which is on the same day.
However, I did put re-learning to cycle on my Forty Before Forty, and I do like a challenge, so MacMillan, ask me again this time next year.
But if you fancy a challenge, you’ve got plenty of time to get some cycling in ahead of October – maybe it’s time to dust off the bike, or in my case put it back together, re inflate the tyres and convince Mr GFB to come out with me, because I have less than zero cycling confidence.
As an added incentive Macmillan have given me the code:
BLUESTOCKING
so that you can get £3 taken off the cost of your registration, taking it down to £26 to enter, which covers marshalling and event costs, supplies for your cycle (water and food stations) and the ever important medal, or as I refer to it, race bling.
It’s a great cause and looks like a fantastic event – it’s been running since 2011 and has seen over 15000 cyclists take part so far.
As I say Macmillan. Let’s talk again next year.