Two of our newest members are setting off a one of the classic cycling Sportives. Here is Stephanie & Robert's story:
London to Paris Charity Cycle 2018
One Saturday afternoon last March, while sitting at home feeling less than fit, I saw an article on social media promoting ABC Council’s Sofa to Saddle challenge. My husband, Robert, has been cycling for about 30 years and has taken part in various sportives during that time. I never showed any interest, but by the time he came home from the gym that day, I’d signed up to a cycling course which ended with a sportive challenge. I hadn’t read the small print, just that the event would be held on Father’s Day starting and finishing at Craigavon Lakes. Had I read the small print I might have been put off, because the sportive turned out to be a choice of 60Km or 100Km long. Both seemed daunting distances with only 10 weeks to prepare. So at Easter it was off to purchase a road bike ‘Lexa’ and the journey began………..
My Dad, Joe Mitchell, had cycled all his life and Mum tells of how he used to cycle from Lurgan to Stranmillis College every Wednesday evening to visit her! He retired in 2002, and decided to challenge himself to ‘Pedal to Paris’ raising money for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. He trained hard and raised the money necessary for the trip. Unfortunately he came off his bike in June 2003, and after a month in Intensive Care in Craigavon Hospital he sadly passed away and so never fulfilled his dream of cycling from London to Paris.
So what better way to remember him than attach a cream rose to ‘Lexa’ and cycle 100Km on a sunny June Father’s Day last year. It was tough, but encouraged all the way by my MAMIL (middle aged man in lycra), we made it!
Fast forward to August 2017 and another Saturday morning surfing the internet, and into my head pops a cycle to Paris idea! After some research Robert and I signed up to a London to Paris cycle in aid of Marie Curie and in memory of my Dad. After a number of fund raising events and people’s generosity we have raised over £7500 for Marie Curie. Now we’ve completed our training for the 300Km event 21st – 24th September. I joined Portadown Cycle Club “bun runners” last September, and after a bit of persuasion Robert signed up after Easter. The club has been so encouraging and has really helped our training.