This month thousands of riders set out at too-early-o’clock on the legendary London to Brighton charity bike ride. Among them was The Lake Foundation cycle club member Sam.

Sam is a regular at our bi-monthly rides. Sam announced her goal to complete the London to Brighton ride on our WhatsApp group back in May:

“Guess what everyone I’m doing the London to Brighton [bike run]”.

In our cycle club fashion, the group began to send messages to cheer Sam on when she decided to keep us informed on WhatsApp about her training.

Training included regular on-road cycling and cycling in the gym. Her team, Cor Correya once rode to Biggin Hill through Sanstead and Warlingham over country lanes and hills. Sam messaged the WhatsApp group, “Only 19 days to the big event. Still time to join me if you want to.” Maybe next year!

As well as training Sam invested in a pump, a puncture repair kit and took her bike in for a maintenance check. This was a good way to avoid any mechanical mishaps on the day.

The big day came and Sam wrote to the group including hashtags #L2B and #HeartRiders, which we then tweeted in support of her. Sam kept up the conversation between her start at Clapham Common and arrival in Brighton. Members responded encouragingly:

“Keep going Sam. Keep up the pace and effort luv”