World Water Day 22 March 2011

The United Nations General Assembly designated 22 March of each year as the World Day for Water and has been observed since 1993, in conformity with the recommendations of the UN Conference on Environment and Development contained in chapter 18 (Fresh Water Resources) of Agenda 21.

International World Water Day is held as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

Each year World Water Day highlights a specific aspect of freshwater. This year the focus is on "Water for Cities". Here are a few facts...

- One in four city residents worldwide, that's 794 million in total, lives without access to improved sanitation facilities.

- Every second the urban population grows by 2 people.

- 27% of the urban population in the developing world does not have piped water in it's houses.

- 493 million pele in cities share their sanitation facilities. In 1990 this number was 259 million.

- Lack of safe water and sanitation in cities leads to cholera, malaria and diarrhoea.

Events are taking place all around the world and you too can host a World Water Day event. Please click on the icons above or below to visit the official World Water Day website for more information. You could also dedicate your Facebook or Twitter updates to World Water Day so go spread the word!





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Sheffield,United Kingdom

I Heart My Bike

As you may already know I had my beloved Bianchi stolen the day before my London to Paris charity cycle. To say I was upset is a gross understatement! I loved that bike. My Dad gave it to me, its the bike he cycled Lands End to John O'Groats and I was so chuffed with it...then it was taken away.

After the big cycle (on a borrowed bike) I knew I was going to have to replace the stolen bike because I wanted to keep cycling. I shopped around for new bikes and tried a couple out. Unfortunately my budget didn't stretch for anything flash and I started get worried that I'd never find the perfect replacement. Until randomly someone told me they had a bike for sale just on budget and my size.

I love love love it!! I never thought for a million years I'd be cycling around on such an amazing bike. You can't get me off it. Every cloud does have a silver lining.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Sheffield,United Kingdom

New Blog, New Look!

For those who check the blog regularly you will notice there has been a change. This blog is now dedicated, well to cycling, training, fundraising and my life on two wheels in general. All the posts have been kept but the pages have changed slightly. I have a new blog dedicated to my London to Paris charity cycle. Please take a look at www.cycleaidlondontoparis.blogspot.com. It's not totally complete yet as I don't have a fundraising total yet, that will be updated in December. Please remember there is still time to donate if you haven't already!! Just click the links to my Just Giving page which you will find on the left.


Thanks x

Qu'est-ce qu'un voyage!

Well this time two weeks ago I was well on my way to Dover. It's still all sinking in and I'm still buzzing from the experience. On the Monday before I  thought I was destined not to take part in the cycle. Going downstairs to my basement (I live in a large block of flats and we have underground parking for both cars and bikes) to clean my bike in preparation for the big challenge I discovered my beloved Baby Bianchi wasn't there, it broke my heart. Yes, somebody had stolen the bike my Dad had very generously given to me, the one I had trained on for eight months, the bike I had cycled on just 24 hours before. There were tears, lots of them, then panic. Luckily my Dad was kind enough to lend me his super expensive, super light weight bike. 

Unfortunately it was far too big and I could hardly reach the peddles. It had taken me eight months to get used to the large frame of my Bianchi but this bike was even bigger with wider handlebars and a very high seat stem. On Tuesday I got it straight to the JE James who were so understanding and also very concerned that I was about to cycle over 300 miles on a big evidently too large for my 5'3 frame. They all rallyed to call friends, employees anyone they knew with a bike to see if I could borrow one. Buying a brand new bike right there and then just wasn't an option and the only alternative was to make all the bike parts (handlebars, seat post and the handlebar stem) smaller and narrower. It cost me no more than it would have to hire a bike from Discover Adventure and I will sell the parts on, bonus! Tuesday was a long and draining day but I was so glad I was able to take.

I have started putting pictures and a summary for each day of the ride on the blog, each day has its own page. Over the next few days or so I will hopefully finish it so keep checking for updates. I will be updating the blog until I give WaterAid their final cheque and have a total fundraising figure. 

Keep spreading the word, share the link to the blog with friends and family and if anyone is thinking about taking part in the London to Paris cycle DO IT! I cannot recommend it enough, I really did have the time of my life. 

You still have time to donate to WaterAid at www.justgiving.com/cycleaid

Dig Toilets, Not Graves!

Please spend one minute watching the video.

3 children have died during this time!

Lack of clean, safe drinking water and access to adequate sanitation if a real killer.

I'm cycling London to Paris next week to raise money and awareness for WaterAid.

Please give all you can at www.justgiving.com/cycleaid

Thank you

7 days to go!

Where does time go? It really does feel like yesterday that I sat on a bike for my first training session on the turbo trainer. It was the middle of winter, hence been indoors and I could barely manage more than 20 minutes. Now eight months on there is no need for an indoor trainer (thought I've not seen much of the sun) and can comfortably manage 60/70 miles on the open road.


Last weekend was my last big push. I cycled over 50 miles on Saturday with my Dad and Sarah. Sarah will be joining me on the London to Paris cycle but unfortunately we've not had much chance to train together. We had a great run out to Bawtry, the weather was fantastic and I managed to catch some rays. Then on Sunday we all planned to cycle to Clumber Park. Unfortunately Sarah pulled out and cycled the Tissington Trail instead so I made the solo journey to my Dads house in Rotherham at a ridiculous hour in the morning. After us getting about 2 miles in to our cycle his bike started making horribly noises and we thought it would be best he didn't risk carrying on. As tempted as I was at the thought of cycling the 9 miles home and getting back in bed I knew this was my last chance of getting some good miles under my belt and I'd never really done long distances back to back so decided I to cycle the further 20 miles out to Mattersey to visit my uncle Rod. I'd never cycled more than about 10 miles before by myself so I was a little apprehensive. But once I got going I really enjoyed myself. I got there in no time at all, despite the detour due to missing my turning. This added about  7 (ish) miles to my journey...all good extra mileage I thought.


The journey back was somewhat different. I managed to get back to Rotherham without any problems but once I hit Sheffield my poor bum just got so numb. Then my legs started to go and I thought I was never going to get home. I pushed through the pain knowing I had worse to endure next week. To my surprise it didn't take me as long as it felt, I did roughly 30 miles in just over 2 hours 20 , including drink stops. 


That's not too bad considering the first time I went on the road I only cycled 10 miles and it took me about 1 1/2 hours and I ached so much in the morning I never want to cycle again. I find I don't really ache too much any more and I put that down to all the training I've done. And the only reason I've trained more than I thought is because I've really enjoyed it.  I will be back on my bike after this challenge but as far as training goes I have cycled to work today and will fit in a couple more 10/15 milers before next week. I'm hoping to cycle through the Peak District on Thursday and that'll be it. 


This time next week I'll be packing up for my journey to London. Sarah and I are staying over the night in London ready for our 7am start on the Wednesday. 


Thanks for all my friends and family who have pushed and supported me through all the training. Mainly to my Dad for training me up and Nick for putting up with my whining after long cycles.


My main reason for embarking on this challenge was to raise money and awareness for WaterAid. I have a whole page dedicated to who WaterAid are, what they do and why there is a need so please check it out. There is still plenty of  time to donate too, just visit my JustGiving page and give all you can.


Thank you x

ebay listings

I have some items up for sale on ebay. Please click on the items below to take a look.

100% of the proceeds will be donated to WaterAid.

• Stirling Silver Mickey Mouse Ring

• Recycled Paper Jotter

• Decathlon White and Blue Flower Print Swim Shorts

• No7 Handbag Essentials Make-up

More items will be added soon!