Behind the Screen - A Blog
Cycle the Month Completed: 101 Miles for Prostate Cancer UK
Donate to John's Cycle the Month Challenge
Back in August, I set myself a pretty simple challenge: cycle 100 miles in 31 days for Prostate Cancer UK.
The slightly less simple part was that I had managed less than 80 miles on the bike in the previous three years.
I finished August having ridden 101 miles and raised £616 for Prostate Cancer UK on this challenge.
So, challenge completed.
Why I took on Cycle the Month
This wasn't my first fundraising challenge for Prostate Cancer UK.
I've previously raised more than £8,600 for the charity through pool marathons and cycling challenges, including riding the Grand Départ in France twice. I was even awarded a custom Polka Dot jersey in recognition of my fundraising.
But this challenge was a little different.
I'd had a pretty long break from cycling. After breaking my shoulder, my fitness had gone backwards and I had barely been getting out on the bike.
So rather than setting myself some ridiculous target, I decided to make the challenge achievable but still difficult enough to push me.
The target was 100 miles.
That was more than I'd managed to ride in the previous three years combined.
100 miles in 31 days
Cycle the Month is Prostate Cancer UK's annual virtual cycling challenge, with riders aiming to complete 100 miles during August.
For me, the biggest challenge wasn't necessarily the distance. It was getting back into the habit of riding regularly.
There were plenty of reasons to put it off. Work, weather, fitness and the general temptation to stay on the sofa instead of getting on the bike.
But once I started clocking up the miles, it became much easier to keep going.
One ride became another, and gradually the total started to climb.
Challenge completed
By the end of August, I'd reached 101 miles.
Just one mile over the target, but that's more than enough for me.
More importantly, I had achieved what I set out to do. I had ridden more miles in one month than I had managed across the previous three years.
And I raised £616 for Prostate Cancer UK, beating my original £500 fundraising target.
That's 123% of my fundraising target.
A huge thank you to everyone who donated, shared the challenge or simply encouraged me to keep pedalling.
Why Prostate Cancer UK?
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, with around 1 in 8 men being diagnosed during their lifetime.
The money raised through Cycle the Month helps Prostate Cancer UK fund research into better diagnosis and treatments, as well as providing information and support for men and their families.
Having supported the charity through previous fundraising challenges, it was an easy decision to get involved again.
More than just 101 miles
The biggest achievement for me wasn't actually the number on the bike computer.
It was getting back on the bike.
I'd gone from barely riding at all to completing 101 miles in a month. That has given me the motivation to keep cycling rather than putting the bike away again.
So while Cycle the Month is officially finished, hopefully this isn't the end of the cycling.
There are already a few more miles waiting to be ridden.
Thank you
A massive thank you to everyone who supported my Cycle the Month challenge and helped me raise £616 for Prostate Cancer UK.
The original target was £500 and the cycling target was 100 miles.
I managed 101 miles and £616.
Challenge completed.
If you'd still like to support Prostate Cancer UK, you can donate through my fundraising page.
And if you've been putting off getting back on your bike, perhaps this is your sign to get out there.
One mile at a time.
Donations are still welcome
Although I've completed the 100-mile challenge, my fundraising page is still open and I'm still accepting donations.
If you'd like to support Prostate Cancer UK, every donation will help fund research, support and lifesaving work.
Thank you to everyone who has already donated and helped me reach £616. If you'd like to add to the total, I'd really appreciate your support.
