Richard Brooks is planning to cycle 980 miles in nine days as part of the ‘Ride Across Britain’ challenge taking place in September – raising funds for Big C cancer charity in the process. Here he reveals that he’s only recently got into cycling!
I’ve lived in lots of different parts of the UK, had jobs in different industries and travelled a fair bit too – so all in all a very happy life! I had just handed my notice in on my last job, two months before the pandemic hit, so – looking back – my timing wasn’t perfect, but luckily everything turned out for the best and I haven’t looked back since. Personally, I’ve been very lucky that the pandemic has not affected me or my family – I’ve managed to navigate through this by being careful and following the guidance given.
Luckily, the support from everyone at Indigo Swan and the flexibility of being able to work from home has really helped. I have only recently got into cycling, but during the pandemic running, walking the dog and generally keeping fit has certainly helped me.
The Ride Across Britain is something that has always been on the ‘list’ of things I’ve wanted to do, but life has always got in the way (plus many excuses). However, after being unable to do so much during lockdown, I decided to put it off no more!
The event takes place over nine days cycling the length of the country, from Land’s End to John O’Groats. It will involve cycling each day approximately 105 miles (for nine days back-to-back) with a night in a tent awaiting the end of each stage! Hopefully it will be 980 miles that I’ll never forget! The scenery should be breath taking.
The Big C is Indigo Swan’s charity of the year and they do fantastic work – so I couldn’t be happier they have put their name and support to this event.
Although most people at Indigo Swan think I am crazy for doing this, their help, support and encouragement is amazing. They are helping me promote this event to raise as much money as possible for the fantastic work that the Big C do year in year out. Indigo Swan are in the process of planning some additional fundraising events for the Big C throughout the year to help us reach our goal.
I started training for this at the start of January and so far, touch wood, the training is going very well. The training plan lasts just over eight months, and gets progressively harder each month, tailing off around mid-August to ensure I’m sufficiently rested in time for the starting line. Currently my training consists of approximately 10 hours of cycling per week.
For me, completing the event, but enjoying it, is the main aim – I know each day will be hard, but I must remember it’s a ‘ride’ not a ‘race’. I’m also aiming to raise as much money as possible for Big C and promote the great work they do.
There is a fundraising page set up for anyone who would like to donate. We have an ambitious target of £5,000 we would like to raise, so any help getting there would be greatly appreciated. Keep your eyes peeled on the Indigo Swan social media pages as they will be posting updates around the race and my training. They will also be sharing updates on the money raised and any fundraising events taking place.
Richard Brooks will be doing the Ride Across Britain between September 10-18, 2022, where he will be fundraising for Indigo Swan‘s charity of the year, Big C. Across the nine days, he will bike around 100 miles a day from Land’s End to John O’Groats, totalling an impressive 980 miles. Visit justgiving.com.
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