Rutland Water – Bike Ride
I suffer with spasmodic torticollis which, like many people, I diagnosed myself with the help of the Dystonia website. Ever grateful for the information, I decided that I could give something back by raising some money.
I sent an email to a miscellany of friends telling them that I was going to do the bike ride and asking them to do any of the following: join me on the ride, sponsor me with a bit of dosh, go to the website to read about Dystonia and tell a couple of people what it is.
When I first decided to do the 25 miles it really didn’t cross my mind that I might find it difficult; it just seemed like one of those good ideas, I’d never been to Rutland Water before and it looked a nice place to spend a day.
A few weeks before the event I got my bike out, gave it a dust, pumped up the tyres and went out for a practice. I’ve always been pretty bullish on a bike, thinking I was just as important on the road as any car and behaving accordingly. This is not a clever strategy when you aren’t able to turn round to see what’s behind! So, off I went to my friendly bike shop man and bought a mirror. Now, apart from seeing the traffic, I’m able to apply my lipstick accurately. He also raised the handle bars giving a much better position for my neck.
The email bore fruit and I had a great response from my friends. They were extremely generous and I raised £1005, which I’m very proud of. Apart from the money though, it gave me such an enormous feeling of support and love. How could I fail to do it with all that encouragement?
My lovely daughter Lucy came with me and we really had a great day. Also Richard, an old friend who lives near to the lake, joined us with his partner. As I said at the time, anybody who says it is a flat circuit has never ridden around it. Believe me, it undulates!
About 2 miles before the end I was struggling up the final hill and I felt a hand on my back; it was Richard and it did the trick. We’ve all got stuff in life to deal with and I hope that everybody who reads this can now and then feel the hand of an old friend giving them a bit of a push just when they need it.
Thanks to the organisers for a great day.
Photos from the day
Nearly sixty riders took part in the cycle ride around Rutland Water which took place during awareness week.
Professional belly dancers, Katherine Caddick, Sarah Hodgson and Elinor Jackson with volunteer organiser Nikki Parkin, Cara Eckstein and Philip Eckstein.
Christine Chapman and family
Members of the Tribal team
Francesca Isherwood from BBC Children’s TV ‘Roman Mysteries’