Ruth Nicol’s Journey Update

Ruth Nicol is doing a wonderful job riding for great fundraising causes.  Here is an email she recently sent, to keep us updated on her journey.

Just to let you know that I finished the mammoth cycle ride on Saturday and cycled all 1052 miles – I’m proud to say that I didn’t walk up any of the hills, though did stop several times on a couple of the monster ones….In fact, on the way up to Dent station, I spotted 20 yards ahead of me, an old lady with a walking stick, and aimed to overtake her – and failed – I was too slow even for that!

I will be putting together a retrospective journal of the trip over the next few weeks. I wasn’t able to do it at the time because I had no spare time nor energy. As soon as I finished each day, I had to put up my tent, sort out my stuff, shower, etc, eat then head to bed. Also, I had to leave my camera behind after a few days, just to save on weight. So I’ll be using my shots from the first few days together with photos taken my the other people taking part.
The journey itself was HARD, and we also had a headwind of varying ferocity on all days except one, which added to the difficulty. My enormous Brompton bag seemed to act like a giant anchor, too.

I would really recommend the trip, though – it was an amazing experience.
Your (Cyclodelic) clothing got a lot of compliments, like I said in the postcard. I really loved the lightweight t-shirt and will be ordering another one myself.  I was really impressed with how cool it remained, even in very hot weather, and I really liked the fit. The jacket travelled in my front bag or on my person for all 1052 miles, and was absolutely brilliant. I rode the whole way without the use of lycra, cycling shorts, padding of any kind or any special shoes (just my ordinary shorts and shoes) – and no problem/soreness/aches at all.
I know that several blokes have done the LEJOG on a Brompton, but can’t find any evidence of any women – so, who knows, maybe I’m the first – hurrah!
The donations are still coming in – and thanks very much for the links on your page – I’m now at £1,556.55, with more promised – the Barnardo’s fund has exceeded its target, which is absolutely brilliant.  I’ve been really inspired with how generous and supportive people have been – incredibly so, and I really valued your super-generous donation of such lovely clothing.
Like I say, I will put together the journal and photos over the next few weeks, and will send them on to you just as soon as it’s done.  Look out for Ruth’s journal and photos coming soon on our blog, keep up the amazing work Ruth!

Ruth Nicol’s Fundraising for Sustrans

Ruth Nicol’s Fundraising for Barnados

Postcard from Ruth

Ruth’s adventure from Land’s End to John O’Groats has almost come to an end.  Ruth has raised £1358.00 of her £2000 goal, and cycled nearly 1050 miles on her fold-up bicycle!  She still needs your support, so please give generously.

Ruth Nicol’s Fundraising for Sustrans

Ruth Nicol’s Fundraising for Barnados

Check back in a couple of days for an update of Ruth’s journey.

1050 Miles over 15 days on a fold-up Bike…

Ruth and her Fold-Up Bicycle

This month, Ruth Nicol has been riding her bicycle across the entire UK.  She isn’t traveling on a top end road bike, or even a comfortable cruiser.  That would be far too easy.  Ruth is making the 1600+ Km journey on a folding bicycle. ‘Cycling for 70 miles each day for 15 consecutive days on a bike with 16 inch wheels and 6 gears isn’t going to be the most relaxing thing to do, but I’m excited at the prospect of attempting something I’m not sure I can achieve…’ Ruth said on her website, which can be accessed by clicking this link.

By the end of her journey, Ruth will have climbed more than the height of Mount Everest and Ben Nevis combined!  Ruth has been preparing for the ride since January 2009, including rides around Arthur’s Seat hill in Edinburgh one or more times each weekday, while filling weekend free-time with longer rides.  You may find yourself asking, ‘Why is Ruth doing this?’

She has chosen to ride in support of the British charity “Barnardo’s” which fundraises over 415 projects across the UK.  Their work positively affects the lives of millions, dealing with issues such as drug misuse, disability, youth crime, sexual abuse, mental health, domestic violence, poverty, and homeless families.  She is also raising money for Sustrans, a sustainable transportation movement that stresses the need to develop and promote more efficient transport.  You can donate to either these causes on Ruth’s website, or click these direct links below.

Ruth Nicol- Donate to Barnardo’s

Ruth Nicol- Donate to Sustrans

We are proud to support Ruth on her journey; by donating a Kimono Softshell Jacket, Scarf, and Ankle Cuff Ruth will keep warm while looking great!

Melissa Henry to speak at Cycle Show

Melissa Henry, communications Director of Sustrans, will also be joining us to speak at the Cycle Show on October 11^th.

“Melissa has had a varied career, firstly within publishing and more latterly in the voluntary sector, working in the area of communications.  Like many she is an eco worrier, and like many would like to know far more about what she individually (and collectively) can do to bring about the change necessary to deal with the big issue of our century – climate change.  Having already accumulated a sizeable life-time carbon footprint, particularly from travel, Melissa is keen to highlight the very practical ways Sustrans advocates for reducing the environmental impact of our travel habits without reducing our pleasure.
Melissa was born in 1964.”

Sustrans is the UK’s leading sustainable transport charity, working on practical projects so that people can choose to travel in ways that benefit their health and the environment.

For more information on The Cycle Show and tickets click here

Tour of Britain – Exeter

Today saw the girls from last weeks Bike It session that I ran with lovely Liz Kop from Sustrans in Exeter parade their bicycle bling along a section of the Tour of Britain Route in Exeter. The girls looked fabulous in their coloured sashes and feathered helmets.

Bike Belles

To celebrate Sustrans’ Year of the Woman a new microsite has been launched ‘providing what every woman needs to know to get out and about by bike’. It’s full of advice from how to get started and bike basics to looking good on a bike and interviews with fellow lady riders. They’ve also featured our favourite journalist Dawn Porter on the front page with her BeSpoke Cyclodelic Bag.

Visit Sustrans’ Bike Belles

Lose the Lycra!

Wheels and Heels featured in Smart Moves

Congratulations to the Fashion2Ride Winners!

 

Now in its second year ‘Fashion 2 Ride’ is funded by Sustrans and the Local Authorities and is ran by Amy Fleuriot and Sarah Buck from Cyclodelic across primary and secondary schools in London with the aim of encouraging more young people into cycling through fashion design and cycle training.

Final designs from last years participating schools, The Chafford, Charter School, Stratford School and Westminster Academy, were put down the runway at Pret a Rouler. Wayne Hemmingway gave the students an inspirational talk about his career in design before judging the designs for their innovation, style and functionality as bike fashion. 1st Prize of a Dahon bicycle was won by Stratford School and 2nd Prize of two Bill Amberg Bags was won by Charter School, Westminster Academy and The Chafford were highly commended

Stratford School student with his winning design and Wayne Hemmingway.

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