Oxford Charity Ride

Well last weekend Mum and I took part in a 30 mile charity ride around Oxfordshire. If only that was the end of this story!!! After a seriously heavy night out drinking with Clare, Fez and Grant I felt suitably rough when I wouke up VERY early on Sunday morning. In my hungover state I manage to put mine and mums bikes on the roof rack of Grants car and pack all my stuff for the ride, then Grant checked the bikes, set up the Sat Nav and away I went!!
When I was just getting off the M40 at Oxford I realised I had forgotten my cycling shoes!!! Was I wearing sensible shoes??? No of course not, I was wearing flip flops!!! That will teach me for a) drinking too much and b) not packing my kitbag the night before!!!
So I got to the ride eventually, parked up and couldn't find Mum, stress levels rise another couple of ntches!! Ring her again (had already phoned her about the shoes) she's in the other car park, so back in the car and round to other car park.
I eventually find her and we unload the bikes from the roof of the car. i get on mine - in my flip flops and ride up and down a bit and think - I can do this in flip flops no probs!!
So off we go to the start line and what does Mum do when she gets there - falls off her bike - AGAIN!! I'm sure she is just attention seeking!!!

The ride was started by Lucy Rusedski and Greg was there too - yummy!! And after she's done a little talk we were off!!! After climbing a harsh hill (which may I add a lot of people were pushing their bikes up but not us!!) I realised my computer on my bike wasn't working, and neither was mums so we stopped and after calling Grant (he didn't answer!) we realised our wheels were in the wrong way so the sensor wasn't picking up the movement of the wheel!! doh! so after a quick wheel change we were off again!!!

About 10 miles in and we stopped again!! Riding in flip flops is agony!! They were really rubbing, so mum gave me her sports socks!! I looked like a Japenese Geisha girl - with socks and flip flops. But at least it made the ride slightly more comfortable!!

So i eventually finished the ride - just over 30 miles in 2 hrs 17 mins!!

However the pain doesn't stop there - I got serious sunburn, and was in agony for two days afterwards!! and massive blisters on the soles of my feet from riding in flip flops!!
However on the plus side I was really proud of myself for not giving in and have received a lot of admiration from people for my determination!!!

Since then I haven't been on my bike!! I did 145 miles in 8 days but have taken a week off - through laziness really!! So tonight i am back on the bike - it's gonna hurt!!!

Oh and mum and I did a charity bag pack in Marks and Spencer again on Saturday and raised another £185!!!! getting there on the minimum amount!!

Speak to you all soon.

Em
xx