***UPDATE – POSTPONED UNTIL 2026
I’ve decided to take on King Alfred’s Way, an iconic 219-mile (353 km) adventure across the rolling hills and rugged landscapes of Southern England. And if you’re wondering, yes, it’s every bit as brutal as it sounds. But here’s the twist: I’m doing it despite a long list of excellent reasons not to.
Let’s break it down:
Ride level: Experienced cyclist (Well, we’ll see about that!)
Distance: 220 miles / 353 km (that’s roughly the distance from London to Manchester… on a bike!)
Total climb: 11,585 ft / 3,531 m (for reference, that’s higher than Mount Everest if you’re cycling from base camp!)
Total descent: 11,654 ft / 3,552 m (because gravity is, apparently, my friend)
Hilliness: Hilly (As if the terrain weren’t enough!)
Surface: Rough (We’re talking bumpy, off-road trails that’ll shake your bones)
So, what am I doing? Well, let’s just say it encompasses pretty much everything I despise about being on two wheels. Let me tell you a little more about why…
Firstly, I’m riding in typical British weather. Which means if it’s against me, I’ll either be soaked to the bone or frozen stiff, and possibly both.
Second, my mountain bike – the one I’m relying on for this challenge – is as old as the hills I’ll be climbing (and probably less reliable). It’s a Trek, dating back to prehistoric times, and at this point, I’m just hoping it doesn’t fall apart mid-ride. I love it, event though it’s a relic, so here we are.
And finally… cycling makes me nauseous. Yup, you read that right. Thanks to my balance issues (which, by the way, were worsened rather than improved by a haemorrhage and brain surgery), I get motion sickness. Badly. So, that’ll be super fun to deal with as I ride up and down mountains, over rocky terrain, and through whatever weather nature decides to throw at me.
I plan to take on this challenge over 4 days this summer, to raise funds for The Beyond Recovery Project. As an organisation it is doing incredible work helping people live better lives after brain injury and recovery. And while I’m certainly doing my part in challenging my own recovery journey, I need help, because I’ll be honest, I’m feeling way out of my depth as far as bikepacking goes.
I’m looking for sponsors or supporters who can help me out with a bike (because my ancient Trek might not survive 220 miles) and some additional kit. If you’re a fan of supporting unlikely adventures, and feel aligned to what I’m trying to achieve through this challenge and The Beyond Recovery Project, I’d love your help! If you can help with any biking gear or even advice for a newbie bike-packer like me, let’s chat.
This adventure will be publicised far and wide, so your support will be getting the attention it deserves! I’ll be tagging all my supporters and sponsors in social media posts before, during, and after the challenge. You’ll get the chance to be part of this wild ride every step of the way whether that’s through donating, sharing, or just cheering me on.
I’ll be blogging about the whole experience, from the adrenaline-fueled highs to the inevitable nausea and maybe a few epic wipe-outs. There will be tears, laughter, and possibly a tantrum or two (as has been known on previous cycling disasters), but most of all, there will be a journey of redefining what recovery and living with a new normal can look like after brain surgery. It’s going to be messy, it’s going to be hard, but I’m going to do it.
So if you’re ready to join me on this wild ride—whether through donations, encouragement, or sharing your own tips for surviving a bike-packing nightmare—let me know.