About me...

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019, which was a shock to say the least. I underwent a lumpectomy and sentinel node removal followed by a course of radiotherapy. I now take preventative medication (anastrozole) and alendronic acid to combat the bone density loss.

It has been a bit of a roller coaster ride and I have definitely developed ‘scanitis’ when it comes to having scans, but I feel very lucky. Cycling kept me sane during the wait for results and treatment.

My cycling challenge...

When I was 50 I went on a course to learn how to ride a bike (well I hadn’t cycled since I was a teenager!). It was supposed to be about getting fitter and losing weight, but I am not sure about the later, as it also became an excuse to eat cake! I fell in love with the freedom it gave.

I decided after the treatment had ended, that I wanted to set myself a challenge and to raise money for the charity; Breast Cancer Now. During the delays in treatment, followed by the period of COVID-19 lockdown, a Breast Cancer Now helpline provided me vital support I needed. I only contacted them a couple of times, but they helped me through a difficult period. You could ask any question or say what you wanted, things that perhaps you couldn’t discuss with family for fear of upsetting them.

At the beginning of 2021 I booked onto a bike ride organised by Peak Tours, known as the “Channel to the Med” - this involved cycling from Caen in Northern France to Nice in the South of France. I planned to do it for my 65^th Birthday in 2023, so I had nearly two years to build up my fitness. Training was going well until, at the end of 2022 when I was diagnosed with suspected skin cancer on my face. The lesions were removed and fortunately it wasn’t skin cancer. I then sadly got sciatica at the end of March and couldn’t walk or sit let alone cycle! Fortunately, I managed to restart training in mid-May and gradually built up the mileage to get ready for the Channel to Med ride in September.

The Channel to the Med ride involved over 880 miles of cycling and over 60,000 feet of climbing over 14 days.19 people made the start line, 4 women and 15 men. It was a great group and we all supported and cheered each other on. Day 7 was a turning point for me, I felt I was in with a chance of completing the challenge, but I was also overcome with emotion. I had enjoyed a long 15 miles cycle downhill along with the beautiful scenery when I suddenly realised it was four years since I had the breast cancer surgery. I couldn’t quite believe it, here I was enjoying myself cycling in France. I had to hide in the brew van (the brew van provided tea and coffee and set points on the trip) as I burst into tears overcome with emotion. I wasn’t sad, I was happy.

The hills were relentless and the challenge included two ‘hors catégorie’ climbs (the toughest climbs): Mont Ventoux and Verdon Gorge on days 11 and 13. Whilst cycling up Mont Ventoux I lost my nerve and started to walk up one of the steeper bits, I was determined that I was going to get to the top of this mountain one way or another! Chris (one of the other riders) came back down to check on me, having already ridden to the top himself. He gave me a pep talk and told me I was getting back on my bike on the next corner whether I liked it or not and so I cycled to the top under my own steam; well almost… Chris gave me a push up the finishing ramp! Verdon Gorge was the second toughest climb, I didn’t have to get off my bike on that one - hooray! The views were amazing!

I have wonderful memories of the trip including: fantastic food, brilliant company, stunning scenery, very interesting French public toilets (I’ll say no more), automatically locking hotel bedrooms (I had to get another cyclist to let me out)and getting up those climbs. It was tough and a real physical and mental challenge but an amazing experience.

So far, I have raised over £2,500 for Breast Cancer Now which I know will help them make a difference to somebody’s life.