On Yer Bike Aurelia!

Well, that's item three of my New Year's Resolutions done, even without the tandem skydive (which is now all confirmed by the way, but more on that another time), and another t-shirt to add to my growing collection.

Last week, I saw a call-out on Facebook for what amounts to 'bums on seats' for an hour, or rather... 'bums on saddles'!

I was disappointed not to get involved in On Yer Bike for Brain Tumours last year, so I immediately added my name and showed up at the event this morning ready to ride.

I know it doesn't really sound like much, but I haven't been on a bike since 2002, nor have I ever participated in a spin cycle class, so it was definitely a challenge.

News article

I am just one member of the On Yer Bike team, with includes a man I used to do pilates with. The same man who happens to be the reason for this annual event... a true inspiration, and all-round nice guy, he was diagnosed with a tumour just months after getting married. He had surgery to remove it, followed by lengthy rehabilitation, only to have it return. Except this time it's inoperable. Well, today I sat beside him - literally, the bike beside him, both of us immediately behind his wife - and I pedalled, giving it everything I had to endure the hour.

Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of UK children. 

More people under 40 die of a brain tumour than any other cancer, and life expectancy for people with brain tumours has not increased for 40 years, yet brain tumours remain the most underfunded area of research, receiving less than 1% (0.7%) of national cancer research spending in the UK.

Due to my late inclusion, and with only two days to drum up sponsorship, I gave myself a meagre fundraising target of £15 but, thanks to my friends and readers, that figure currently stands and £63 with more funds promised. WOOHOO!

The team is hoping to raise £10,000, and would ideally love to beat last year's total of £14,000, but the team total currently stands short at £6,000. If you could possibly spare a pound or two, please text YIKE51 £1 to 70070 or go to my fundraising page on JustGiving to make a donation (all currencies welcomed so don't feel left out!).

And just to prove I did it, here is the 'glowing' after photo ;-)

www.justgiving.com/onyerbike2013-aurelia