So, I set off on my cycle challenge from home base at our offices in Moreton-in-Marsh. My lovely team and some of our fantastic volunteers waved me off with balloons and banners for ride number one. It wasn’t quite the send-off I had imagined as 5 metres into the ride I had to stop at the pelican crossing! Slightly embarrassing but with a second delayed cheer, I was soon on my way proper….

The 14-loop challenge has been designed to cover 100+ towns and villages where Cotswold Friends currently supports clients with a range of community services - highlighting the highly rural area that we live in, and the challenges this can pose for older and vulnerable people.

Technology was all organized, and the circular route maps were loaded onto my phone. However, three minutes into the ride I realized this plan was untested, as my very old phone quickly lost battery power and died! I followed the signs up to Blockley and arrived at my first stop (after going up a huge hill!) and had a great time meeting the Walking Football team and getting involved in a game – I even got an assist! As I set off in the vague direction of the next village, I was rescued by my Support Services Manager Bridget, who had come to find me in her fab little Fiat 500 with a post-it note of written directions. This was stuck to the front of the dead phone and old-school directions prevailed!

Stopped at every village sign to take a pic as proof of making it there! Stopped to say hi at The Coach & Horses in Longborough where we run one of our friendly lunch clubs.

Made it back to Moreton and called in to see our Shedders at the Moreton Men in Sheds project. Had a chat with Michael, who told me why he enjoyed coming along to the sheds. His dad was a joiner and he remembers watching him make amazing things in his shed when he was younger. Watch our video to hear a little more from Michael. The Shed project is looking fantastic and now has an allotment at the back for any keen gardeners!

The first ride is done!

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