Heavy Metal Truants Virtual Charity Bike Ride - Day 1 30-5-22

Today I started my second year of doing the Heavy Metal Truants Ten virtual charity bike ride, but this year I am aiming to complete the 175 miles in the allotted 12 days.

My sister Sue is staying with me at present and so she is accompanying me for a couple of days. Thank you Sue.

We looked at 4 different weather forecasts before we left and although all the forecasts were different, it did look like we were going to get wet at some point.

From leaving home, we had only cycled for 3 minutes when we had to stop to admire (from a distance) 3 foals with their Mum's and Aunties.

We headed out of Brockenhurst towards Sway. We saw more foals so decided to keep a total.

We cycled through Boldre, Pilley, Norley Wood, East End and then took a detour down Tanners Lane to head to the beach for a quick break for a hot drink and a piece of flapjack.

We saw a Oystercatcher chasing a crow off from their nest area.

We then cycled through Sowley, St Leonards, Buckler Hard, East Boldre to Hatchet Pond.

We stopped at Hatchet Moor to have our lunch and was accompanied by a Black Headed Gull

We enjoyed some sunshine whilst looking over the pond.

But in the distance we could see dark clouds and rain. We decided to cycle back via the tracks hoping they would give us some shelter. We cycled through Roundhill campsite and across the road into the woods.

As we headed back to Brockenhurst, we decided to add some mileage by going via the Recycling Shed in Brockenhurst to empty the aluminium bin that I monitor.

We came back via Culverley and North Weirs, but saw that we were just short of 30 miles, so headed up to Puttles Bridge, before turning back for home.

Amazingly, we dodged the rain and stayed dry!

During the ride we saw/heard Blackbirds, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Buzzard, Black Headed Gull, Oystercatcher, Guinea Fowl, Thrush and Pheasants (amongst others that I now can't remember!)

The foal count was 18 New Forest foals and 3 foals in fields.

We cycled 30.67 miles.

Only 144.33 miles to go!

Thank you for reading this.

Julie x

Training Progress

Since entering the Heavy Metal Truants Virtual Bike Ride I have tried to up my cycling.

I have been using my bike for local journeys and errands.

Over the Easter weekend I cycled on four continuous days to try and get my legs and backside accustomed to daily cycling!

Over the first May bank holiday, I went for a 22 mile ride with Barry during a weekend away in the Dungeness area.

The following weekend, Barry took me on a bike ride around the New Forest and we did just over 34 miles.

As the charity bike rides draws closer, I will aim to do more cycling and update you on my progress.

Thank you for reading this

Julie x

Heavy Metal Truants (HMT) X Virtual Charity Bike Ride The 10 Commandments

I am a bit of a reluctant cyclist.  I’m not keen of the thought of going out on a bike ride, but I love it once I’m out cycling around The New Forest.

Since having M.E. I have tried hard to try and get fit, but its always been an uphill struggle (excuse the pun!)

When we first moved to the New Forest, I took part in a 25 mile bike ride.

Six years ago, I did a 5km charity “run” ( for run read slow trundle).

Last year in took part in the Heavy Metal Truants IV Virtual

So it’s time I challenged myself again.

So I’ve entered the Heavy Metal Truants  2022: Ten Commandments Virtual Challenge.

This involves a virtual bike ride of 175 miles - the equivalent of cycling from London to Donnington where the Download Festival is scheduled to take place.

We are given from 30th May until 10th June to cycle the 175 miles.

Last year, I took part but did it over a longer time frame, but this year I am challenging myself to get as much of the ride done in the allotted 12 days as I can!

My efforts will be in aid of some very deserving charities - Teenage Cancer Trust, Childline, Nordoff Robbins and Save the Children who’ve all been hit hard by the pandemic and have continued to do their work through it all. Save the Children are helping children in Ukraine at this time too.

I am hoping that I will cover the distance and will do as many miles as I can towards this total. Knowing that I have your support and sponsorship will spur me on do the best I can and cover as many miles as possible 

For transparency, I do have an e-bike which helps me cope with hills, but I will be peddling all the way.

I will do updates of my progress here on my Blog 

If you can, please sponsor me at https://sportsgiving.co.uk/sponsorship/entry/622518

Thank you for your support.

Julie x