Author: Candy Goodchild

So what did you do on the hottest day of the year thus far?

With the temperature 32 degrees and glorious sunshine, but humid, I thought it just about right to do some resistance training for Ride India in just 89 days time!

So, after dropping Josh and Joel off at school this morning, Chris, Matty, Danny and I, loaded up the car and headed off to Bedgebury Pinetum for the morning. Well actually, Chris took his office (by that I mean his laptop) to the forest, to do some last few editing bits on his almost-ready-for-you-to-read book (see details here chrisgoodchild.co.uk) and I took the boys for a ride for a bit of a change of scenery and terrain.

Up until today all my cycling has been done on tarred roads on a lightweight road bike. Today, I took two little boys weighing a combined weight of about 40kg, a heavy downhill mountain bike, and a bike trailer, out on dirt roads. Let’s just say I don’t think I’ll do that again for FUN any time soon. Wow, that was tough going.

Flat’s were fine, down-hills a breeze, but up-hills were nigh impossible at times, as in order to get enough power I had to stand on the pedals, but that meant I lost traction on the back wheel. It was just slipping and all my effort got me nowhere fast.

I have no idea how far we cycled. Although it only took me about an hour to complete the trail, I was more tired than after I’d conquered the 100km a few weeks ago!

Ultimately though, this whole thing isn’t about me, it isn’t about me cycling short distances or cycling long distances. It’s about giving hope to individuals that you and I will probably never get to meet. Thank you so much to those of you that have given so generously, and to those who have helped to spread the word about both charities we are cycling for.

If you haven’t yet donated and would like to, please click here to make a secure payment at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/CandyG, and as always, please help spread the word by forwarding to friends and family.

If you want to donate as a business, I’m happy to provide you with a confirmation of receipt.

Thanks for your support!
Candy.

Rather than bore you with details of the time I’ve spent on my bike recently (I’ve not done anything as exciting as the 100km) I thought it would be good to highlight Care for the Family‘s Bereaved Parent Support – one of the two charities that I’m supporting by riding 550km across India later this year.

Losing a child, whether stillborn, as an adult or somewhere in between, is a heartbreaking ordeal. One that I know nothing about. However Care for the Family’s BPS team have all experienced this tragedy and they help other grieving parents find hope, healing, peace and a way forward for their lives.

There are a number of ways BPS helps grieving parents:

• Helpful and practical articles about living without a son or daughter.
• Telephone befriending by someone who’s walking a similar path.
• Bereaved parent support days.
• Bereaved parent support weekends away.
• Resources aimed at helping people help bereaved parents

Click here to read more on the Bereaved Parents Support pages of the Care for the Family website.

Don’t forget, you can make your donation securely at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/CandyG and if you are a UK taxpayer, please remember to gift aid it too.

Blessings,
Candy.