Pedal Powered Stories

Hi everyone! So there's only a couple of weeks to go before the ride officially starts! EEEK!! And only a week until I actually depart for Kenya and a week of R&R. I've got the bags out now and starting to prepare all the stuff I need to pack. I have a a bit of a thing for bags and packing, sorting out what goes where, and in what order. It brings back fond memories of travelling around SE Asia for a year after getting married, and living out of a single rucksack - knowing where everything is makes that so much easier. I'm even using the same rucksack this time. As this time I'm only away for two weeks I have no doubt I'll pack far too much and not use half of the things I bring. Better to have and not need etc. And even better, just after I published my last post, I had the donation that pushed me over the fundraising target! I've now raised just shy of £2000, all of which is already being put to use in Kenya supporting Child.org and their mission to suppor...

One month today! This week I had the pleasure of meeting some of my fellow Ride Africa cyclists for the first time at a virtual Q&A session with the fabulous support team at Child.org. It was brilliant to start putting faces to names, sharing training stories, and hearing a little more about what’s in store for us in Kenya. The sense of camaraderie is already building, and I can’t wait to take on the challenge alongside such a motivated group of people. Even better, we’ve now got plans for a proper get-together at the Bread and Roses pub in Clapham on Sunday 2nd November . If you’re in London and fancy joining us for a ride (nothing too taxing!), a drink, a chat, or just to hear more about the ride and the cause we’re supporting, you’d be very welcome. Drop me a line for more information. The money I’ve been raising has not been sat idle in some bank account. It’s already being put to amazing use on the ground in Kenya. This year alone, 953 pregnant women in Narok have joined...

Six weeks to go, and the countdown is getting very real. Given the distances involved, I’ll be heading out to Kenya a week early to acclimatise before the ride begins. Plus I’ve always loved both travel and history so the opportunity to spend some time in Nairobi itself, and Mombasa, is simply too good to pass up. All the accommodation and internal transport for that first week is now confirmed, which makes the whole adventure feel closer than ever. Alongside the training, I’ve been pulling together the all-important kit lists. It’s amazing how quickly the essentials add up - medicines, electrolyte powders, energy gels… and yes, chamois cream has made it onto the shopping list too. Not the most glamorous item, and applying it is very undignified, but anyone who’s spent long hours in the saddle knows it’s worth its weight in gold! But beyond the logistics and the kit, it’s important to remember why this ride matters. In my last update I mentioned Child.org and their maternal health ...