Unfortunately, due to illness and circumstances that were totally beyond my control, I was unable to complete the Dockyard to Dockyard challenge. This left me devastated, depressed, guilty and morose, knowing that I had raised monies on behalf of the chosen charity (Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance) without leaving the shores of the United Kingdom. It made me feeling like a failure and a phony.
Fortunately I was given the opportunity to possibly redeem my misfortune when I was put in touch with Jonathan at the charity 65 Degrees North (see link on the right for further information). They were looking for personnel to challenge themselves to cycle between three countries in the Pyrenees (France, Spain and Andorra), taking on some of the longest and toughest Cols in the region. I jumped at the chance and although I was only provisionally accepted onto the team as a reserve, I am happy to announce that I am now a full member of the charity peleton. Training started when I met up with my fellow cyclists in Swansea. This was a couple of days of getting to know each other and finding out peoples strengths, weaknesses and personalities. Everyone enjoyed the cycling in the Brecon Beacons and learnt a lot from the local guides about cycling up gradients, nutrition and team work. More to the point, everyone got on really well on first meeting.
So this leads to now. Flights to Toulouse leave in two days, everything is packed, training is finished and the gruelling 6 day challenge is soon to come. I am still cycling for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance to earn what has already been donated. If you would like to sponsor me for this 3 Countries Challenge, then the JustGiving page is still open (See donation button on the right).
The challenge has been news on the Andorra news website Bondia -https://www.bondia.ad/societat/militars-veterans-britanics-faran-una-ruta-en-bicicleta-andorra
I will update this blog with further posts as the ride progresses. To follow the trip, please see the day tabs at the top of the page.
While I have your attention, please follow the below link for alternative charities that are associated with this ride. Thank you.
https://www.justgiving.com/teams/doncastertohornsea
