Female Brand Ambassador Clare Good goes Everesting

I fell in love with cycling a couple of years ago. In 2014 my dad was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and I decided to buy a road bike and sign myself up for gruelling cycling challenges to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK.

Last year I took on the Dragon Tour in South Wales (344 miles over 3 days, with a painful 190 miles on the final day) and raised over £900.

I spent some time at the beginning of this year trying to figure out what cycling goals to set myself for the year. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing better than rolling around without a care in the world, exploring somewhere by bike, but I am also very motivated by pushing myself physically and mentally to breaking point and setting myself outrageous challenges.

I cannot express how much I love cycling up hills. Give me a bike and a new hill to climb and I am the happiest person in the world (don’t worry; I am aware how crazy that sounds). So when considering what challenge to set myself next, a light bulb suddenly went off in my head, I knew what I needed to do: an Everest attempt

I have been out to ‘my hill’ in Tongwynlais, South Wales (I have now claimed ownership of it!) for training rides of 26% and 40% Everest and my first observation is that I am definitely going to be bored of my own company by the end of this!

My second observation is that I will need to plan the day precisely and ensure I have all the right gear and food. Included in this, and arguably the most important thing, is the right chamois cream. I am a seated climber the majority of the time so a good chamois cream is absolutely vital for me. I have found Veloskin can withhold hours and hours of time in the saddle. This has been extreme important in my training rides to enabled me to stay really comfortable and just keep on going without any distractions.

I am feeling much stronger and fitter this year after a winter on the turbo and I recently put myself to the test at a King (or Queen!) of the Mountain event in South Wales – this entailed over 9,000 feet of climbing on a 80 mile route and included two top 100 Climbs. It was awesome and I bagged both Queen of the Mountain awards – for quickest overall woman and quickest woman up the Rhigos Mountain (photos 3 and 4)

It is now less than 8 weeks until I take on this challenge and I am feeling positive. As well as feeling physically prepared, I have a secret weapon: I am incredibly stubborn and once an idea is in my head I will see it through no matter what!

Keep an eye out for my post Everest write up – hopefully I will still love cycling!

If you want to sponsor me then you can do so at www.justigiving.com/clare-good90 and if you live in South Wales and fancy keeping me company on a couple laps then contact me on Instagram at Clarebearr90.