One Ride Down — Why I'm Cycling This Month
The Cycle the Month Challenge for Prostate Cancer UK has begun — first ride done, at the end of one of the most demanding weeks I've had in a long time.
Sometimes the biggest challenge isn’t climbing the mountain. It’s getting back out the next day.
This month I’m taking on the Cycle the Month Challenge in support of Prostate Cancer UK, with one simple goal: spend more time on the bike while raising money for an incredible cause. My first ride is now complete, but it came at the end of one of the most physically demanding weeks I’ve had for a long time.
Earlier in the week we stood on the summit of Scafell Pike, ticking off another step in our long-term journey towards bigger mountain adventures. Then, just yesterday, I completed a 25km Ultra Challenge walk, pushing tired legs across another long day on the trails. So when it came to today’s ride, my legs already knew they’d had a busy week.
It would have been easy to put it off until tomorrow. Instead, I clipped in, headed out and reminded myself why I signed up in the first place.
Consistency, Not Records
This challenge isn’t about setting cycling records or proving how fast I can ride. It’s about consistency. It’s about doing something positive every day, even when you’re tired, even when the weather isn’t ideal, and even when your body would quite happily stay on the sofa.
Every mile I ride this month is helping raise money for Prostate Cancer UK — supporting research, raising awareness and helping men and their families who are affected by a disease that touches far too many lives.
Over the last year, TREKS Adventures has become about more than just visiting beautiful places. It’s become about embracing challenges, building resilience and encouraging others to discover what they’re capable of — whether that’s climbing a mountain, completing an ultra walk, or simply getting out for a ride after a long week.
Setting the Tone
This first ride wasn’t the longest or the hardest I’ll do this month, but it might be one of the most important, because it set the tone.
The challenge has started. There will be days where the weather is against me, days where work gets in the way, and days where my legs simply don’t want to cooperate. But that’s exactly what makes these challenges worthwhile.
Over the coming weeks I’ll be sharing the rides, the scenery, the equipment I’m testing, the lessons I learn and, hopefully, plenty of miles.
If you’d like to support the challenge, every donation — no matter the amount — goes directly to Prostate Cancer UK and is hugely appreciated. Thank you to everyone who has donated, shared the fundraiser or simply sent a message of encouragement. Every bit of support makes those extra miles a little easier.
One ride down. A whole month of adventures to go.