Living is about making the most of chances – Taking opportunities. Allowing ourselves to embrace our ‘capacity to aspire’ (Tim Williams, 2012). And that’s what a friend of mine has done. Starting from nothing, he will very soon be slogging his way from London to Paris… in just 24 hours. Why? Because he said ‘yes’ to an opportunity. Here’s a note from Luke.
L2P24 – My story
Hi Guys,
On the 14th July 2012, I will be starting an epic adventure from London to Paris, a 300 mile journey, to be completed in just 24 hours, only using pedal power.
I have never done anything like this before and it has been taking some serious training and commitment to complete this challenge. Here is my story so far;
Fail to Prepare and Prepare to Fail
I am currently just over 3 months into my preparations, with 66 days to go. Fortunately all has gone smoothly so far, no injuries or major accidents, touch wood. To give you an idea of my training schedule, this week I rode 130 miles, over 3 rides, which took me just over 7 ½ hours. I’m gradually building these rides up by c.10% each week. Hopefully by the end of May I will have completed my first 100 mile ride. From then on I’ll putting in the big miles over June and building up to the event.
Favourite Rides
What I’m enjoying most about all of this training is getting out and seeing the countryside. Being relatively new to this part of the country (Hampshire), the bike has been a fantastic method of getting to know the area better and I am gradually working out some good routes and loops that are both safe and scenic! The New Forest, Hampshire is definitely a very beautiful part of the country to ride through.
What Motivated Me
I have discovered that I work best when I have a goal to aim for, which is the same for most people. So, while browsing the internet one day I came across an advert for the L2P24 ride and it sounded like an amazing challenge, both physically and mentally, whilst also raising money for a great charity (SCOPE). So I took a chance and said YES. I was fortunate enough to have access to a road bike, which I went for a couple of rides on, and then I was hooked. While this was happening I was also reading a friend’s book ‘There and Back – Breaking the LEJOGLE record’, a book about breaking the cycling world record for the fastest time to ride from Lands End (Southern most tip of mainland England) to John o’Groats (Northern most tip of Scotland) and back again! It’s about 3500kms and he did it in 5 days, 21 hours and 8 mins. An amazingly inspirational read, perhaps more powerful than anything else I have read as he is a mate of mine and we have come through many sporting highs and lows together. He has a very refreshing, positive attitude of just get out there, push boundaries and live life, something that everybody should be doing more of.
What Am I Most Looking Forward To
I’m looking forward to meeting other cycling enthusiasts, seeing some French countryside (I’ve never been to Paris before), but most of all I’m looking forward to that feeling at the end of the ride knowing that I have accomplished something that many people would not ever consider doing, and yet before January this year I had never ridden a road bike.
I’m hoping to raise between £1200-£1500 for this ride for the amazing charity SCOPE, who do fantastic work helping disabled people live better and happier lives. I have set up a Facebook page which gives a bit more of an insight into how my training has gone, here’s the link if you’re interested;
http://www.facebook.com/groups/290356917695313/
Or if you are feeling really generous and would like to donate to a great cause the link to my donation page is below;
http://www.justgiving.com/LukeStoneL2P24
Cheers and Happy Cycling!
Luke