Have your cake and eat it

Fantastic fundraiser Kev Storr was inspired to cycle an amazing 103 miles for British Heart Foundation (BHF).

Riding from Bolton-Upon-Dearne to Lincoln - and back - as a member of the CEMD (Customer Experience, Marketing and Digital) fundraising team, as part of their Great Big Fundraising Challenge efforts, Kev completed the epic cyclothon alongside two of his friends, in just over six-and-a-half-hours.

‘I’d been planning a ride like this with a couple of cycling pals for ages,’ said Kev, an advance customer advisor at Dearne Contact Centre. ‘It was team leader Julie Trybuchowicz who suggested I do it for BHF.

‘I had never cycled such a long distance in a single day, so the thought of doing it was quite daunting. But when we looked at the route and saw that it was a great chance to raise money for such a worthy cause, we were well up for it!’

Already a keen cyclist, Kev undertook a number of gruelling training rides, often cycling through everything the Yorkshire weather could throw at him, in preparation for the challenge.

‘It was probably the hardest single sporting event I have ever done,’ said Kev. ‘The first 70 miles were okay - I actually enjoyed them - but the last 33 miles were physically and emotionally draining.

‘When we reached Bawtry, I knew that the worst 20 miles of the ride were to come. By this time, I was suffering with severe cramp and there was a horrible headwind, which made the day even harder.

‘It was a great feeling cycling up Michaelgate, the infamous cobbled hill climb up to Lincoln Cathedral, especially when it opened up and we had the most amazing view of the Old Town.

‘The best part of the ride was our first stop at Doddington Hall café where we had a latte and a massive slice of carrot cake. It tasted amazing! I’ll definitely be going back for more!

‘When I sit back and think of what we did, it was an all-round amazing experience. It was worth every bit of discomfort. I can’t wait to do the next one!’

To get involved in The Great Big Fundraising Challenge for BHF, head to our dedicated page on MyRoyalMail where you can find all the important details. #greatbigfundraisingchallenge 

If you’ve been inspired by Kev’s story, there are still places available in BHF’s Peak District Mountain Bike Challenge. Find out more here.

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