I also find it hard to believe that I’ve decided to embark on this adventure so I'm going to wow you with my efforts so you may marvel at the rapid ascension to paid-up fulltime cycle chick (or at least a capability to ride for more than half an hour, which will be handy for the 90 odd miles a day to get to the City of Romance). Getting ready to make the jump to 54 miles in one go this weekend at a sportive in the New Forest. Difficulty rating 2 apparently (only 2!). I will report back and confirm next week.

A brief rundown of my efforts so far on the campaign

trail taken from my diary notes:

03.01.10 Bought a bike to celebrate a new year and a new challenge. Had to get it home delivered as I am unable to drive on roads. That may need to improve…

20.01.10 Bike arrived. No thanks to a certain nationwide bike shop chain who have a funny definition of 5 working days.

24.01.10 Training programme scuppered by a last-minute trip to Paris for EJF. Met some lovely fashion types with a heart, including some former Armani workers who’d seen the light, and cried a lot when they saw EJF reports, which actually wasn’t very helpful. I often forget how much of a realisation it is when people realise the impact clothing production has on the lives of workers in the developing world and their surrounding environments, and ultimately ours. Especially hard if you’ve spent your life working for the enemy seemingly. A bit like Pooh bear sticking his fist in the honey and eating it unaware that its full of bees (I’m sure you wouldn’t have grasped the point unless I’d added this groundbreaking analogy). Also met some nice brands who agreed to donate freebies to give away for my fundraising, like Frank & Faith who are developing techniques for producing clothes in one cut so only one seam needs to be undone and you can reuse the bit of cloth. Clever!

27.01.10 Went to a party at Futerra with eco types who’d unfortunately taken interest in my challenge. They asked many questions like ‘how’s the training going’? Is it bad to lie if you need to inspire faith in yourself so people give money to charity? I decide (white) lying is the way forward.

31.01.10 Brussels for 2 weeks for training. I’ll get back on the bike any day now…

19.02.10 I lurk around London Fashion Week with Kat from EJF (pretending a Civil Servant is not out of place there). Discovered my old school friend Lu Flux there! Doing out-there sustainable fashion (www.luflux.com- picture shows her dress featured on Vogue.com). Also spot one of my friend Jazz’s Women’s Institute mob (www.tarastarlet.com & http://shoreditchsisterswi.typepad.com/). Very exciting to see them fighting the good fight and knowing people always helps to imbue a sense of belonging, even if it is severely misplaced in this situation (need to lose weight, wear black bug sunglasses and live off quadruple espressos… oh no wait, I don’t. Because I’m normal. Phew). I later see a picture of one of our Ministers at Tara’s stall. Hope it wasn’t too traumatic for her explaining restyling 40s vintage glamour to an MP.

26.03.10 After many trips down my tried and tested route along the canal in North London its time to break the 10 mile mark. I decide to do it in spectacular fashion and go for 4 days cycling in Devon. Easy. Right?

30.03.10 Devon proves to be a hit. Manage a 35 mile trip on one day. That’s big news for little Becca. I learnt that rhythm is king. More crucial than endurance even, I would say. I can’t claim to be an expert though… yet. I also realised that I have some expert kit now. Case of an over-enthusiastic new hobbyist? Quite possibly.