Aberdeen Grammar School Magazine could do this as each mile and day went by. I was always the first out and generally last in each day, spending around twelve hours a day in the saddle. I spoke to everyone as they passed me on the ride, but as each day went by I fought to be able to make it through and not be on the dreaded “Broom Wagon”. The best moment of 2016 was crossing the line at the Kyle of Sutherland. There was a huge cheer which I did not realise at the time was for me! Emotions were certainly high when I received the “The More is in You” award that evening. The relationships which I have built from Deloitte Ride Across Britain are truly life-lasting. The focus has always been the finishing line. Because of the Threshold support Chaperones and the relationships I gained during the Ride I had developed the strength to complete the next day and cross the finishing line in John O’ Groats. I can’t even begin to describe the emotions which I felt when I saw my children supporting me over the finish. Fast forward three years and I managed to get to camp every day around 3 or 3.30pm, and enjoy a warm shower, afternoon tea and time to relax! Each day I found myself feeling better than I did the day before. I also enjoyed playing the game with people whom I had met in 2016 who did not recognise me because I now weighed 14 stone as opposed to 27. After the first two rides in 2016 and 2017 I realised the pressure I was putting on myself and on the support team during my rides. In August 2018 I made the conscious decision to change my lifestyle and decided that I wanted to lose 10 stone within a year. My weight loss was going well, cycling and running daily to improve my core fitness. Daily time in the saddle is definitely invaluable. A year later, by August 2019, I had lost 12 stone. I even challenged myself to run the Loch Ness Marathon in October just after completing the RAB. Emotionally Deloitte Ride Across Britain has delivered many highs and lows, the highs outweighing the lows threefold. The things you learn about yourself during this dedicated time are life-affirming. The fear running through you as you cross the start line to the ecstatic feeling of relief when crossing the finish line must be lived. Mentally, you have to “begin with the end in mind”. An expression which has helped me on the rides which I have completed is “don’t get your imagination mixed up with your abilities. Deep down you know how much you have trained or not, so you must not get carried away. It is a tough nine days without putting extra pressure on yourself. You have to ride at your own pace and enjoy the experience. After the first few days you will meet people going at your pace and you join together to help each other through. I cycled 90% of the 2016 ride on my own due to my lack of confidence in myself and in my cycling ability. In 2019 after day four I was riding in a group daily and we all helped each other, which made a huge difference. But when all is said and done, it is only a bike ride. Enjoy it, it is life-changing and incredibly rewarding.
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