Jane Sowerby's counting down the days until the Coast to Coast

Is it really only one month to go?

I’m really excited to be taking part in the Devon Coast 2 Coast this year and hopefully raise some much needed cash for Back Up, a charity extremely close to my heart.

I know first hand how Back Up can totally transform lives following a devastating spinal cord injury.  I was paralysed from the waist down in 2003 after a freak fall over the edge of some stairs.  The period immediately following the accident was pretty tough, I remember wondering how on earth I was going to lead a fulfilled life confined to a wheelchair.

Back Up saved me from sinking into the depths of depression and showed me how many sports and activities you can still do.  The first Back Up ski course I took part in was a real turning point for me.  I had no idea such exhilarating disabled sports existed!  The sense of freedom you get from sit-skiing is unbeatable.

 

With a lot of hard work I went on to join the British Disabled Ski Team, and two years later was selected to compete for Great Britain at the 2010 Winter Paralympics in Vancouver.  An unbelievable experience I’ll never forget.

Due to training commitments I was unable to take part in the coast 2 coast last year, so I’m really looking forward to it this time around.  I know it will be a challenge, especially the slightly hillier parts of Devon we’ll no doubt encounter!  I do quite a lot of handcycling over the summer to keep fit, but have only just been able to get back on my bike after being away for the ski season.  As it’s pretty much rained constantly since I got back, I’ve set up the bike on a turbo trainer and turned the lounge into a temporary gym.  As soon as the sun does put it’s hat on, I’ll be heading to Richmond Park to join some fellow handcyclists for training with slightly better views!

 

Since that first Back Up course 7 years ago, I’ve continued to be heavily involved with them, as a group leader and wheelchair skills trainer.  It’s just incredible to witness what a difference Back Up can make, it helps people realise that life does go on, and you can still have so much fun living it.  Participants on courses or wheelchair skills sessions always seem to come away feeling so much more confident, and ready to take on the new challenges in their lives.  

So I’ll be cramming in as many training rides as possible over the next month, and am looking forward to putting my shoulders to the test through the rolling hills of Devon for such a worthy cause.

To donate to help Back Up to provide such incredible support click here:

Backup 2012 Coast to Coast Donation Page

Bret's thoughts on the Devon C2C with 36 days to go

I took part in the inaugural Coast to Coast Cycle for Back Up last year and it was a hell of an experience, and some parts of it felt like hell! Being a paraplegic myself I was using a hand-cycle for the journey so I wouldn't have the extra power generated by our legs to help me up the hills and this made the going particularly challenging at times! 

Brett's face says it all......

We crossed the country from West to East and for the most part this meant we were fighting a headwind. When we were cycling in exposed areas the wind could be particularly fierce and on the first day especially there were times when progress was down to walking pace. I was determined to get to the finish point for each day however and with lots of encouragement and assistance where necessary from fellow team members I did that. 

Brett and Colin cycling in the shadow of Blencathra, Cumbria

We also had to contend with getting sodden wet from rain on the second and third day but I still had a smile on my face as I was loving the challenge of the ride, the beautiful scenery and being in the company of some great people. It wasn't always hard work though, the sun came out for us and there were downhill sections I particularly enjoyed those as they were an opportunity to build up some serious speed! 

Brett closing in on Keswick at high speed

It was a great sense of achievement reaching the finish in Whitehaven and I felt proud to have been part of something so special and worthwhile. Despite my body being shattered from all the exertion over there the three days there was one welcome knock on effect as well. The relentless peddling had made my arms look good!

Brett on his new racing bike - with arms looking good!

Since the coast to coast I took part in the Snowdon Push for Back Up last July which was another great experience and when the Coast to Coast ride for 2012 was announced I had no hesitation in declaring I was really up for it again, I've even managed to rope my Dad into doing it as well! We're both looking forward to visiting Devon for the first time for a start and I'm sure it'll be just as good if not better than last year. Looking forward to the challenge,seeing familiar faces again and equally meeting new ones whilst raising as much money as possible for a great charity that has helped me so much in the last few years. It's gonna be a blast!

How you can support the Cycle 2 Cycle Bike Ride

William Penrice wrote to ABLE2UK to tell us about a charity cycle event taking place next month which he will be involved in. Here’s all the information including a sneaky little link where you can make a donation...

Starting on 24 May in Ilfracombe the Coast to Coast (C2C) Ride for ‘Back Up’ 2012 team are cycling the Devon C2C.

Focusing on ability, not disability, the group of friends will travel from across the UK drawn together through a common desire, to try and raise money and awareness and help transform lives after spinal injury.

Following the 100+ mile largely traffic free route through spectacular scenery the ride starts in Ilfracombe and ends in Plymouth Hoe on 26 May.

The  C2C  Cycle  Ride  team  includes  numerous  inspiring  individuals hand cycling the challenging route. The vast majority of riders have recently taken up cycling following invitation to this event; indeed many had to borrow bikes to enter.

This event is designed to support hand cyclists in getting back out after injury and to provide support to enable all to finish the event.

Attitude is equally as important as ability in achieving success. Pause for a moment and consider the challenge created by cycling across the country without being able to use your legs.

If you would like to join us as a cyclist or with logistical support please contact us through the event blog www.getbackout.co.uk

For more information on Back Up: http://www.backuptrust.org.uk

http://www.able2uk.com/news/sport/how-you-can-support-the-cycle-2-cycle-bike-ride.html

 

Devon Coast to Coast (NCN route 27) Ilfracombe to Plymouth

Devon Coast to Coast (NCN route 27) Ilfracombe to Plymouth

Largely tracing the course of former railway lines, the route takes you through tunnels and across the breathtaking viaducts and bridges bequeathed by Victorian railway engineers notably on the traffic free Granite Way section at Meldon and Lake near Okehampton.

Heading south from Ilfracombe there's a good traffic free section to set you on your way before joining quiet roads with great views south to Braunton. Here the route starts a 30 mile traffic free section on almost entirely level former railway lines beside the beautiful Taw and Torridge estuaries via Barnstaple, Bideford and Great Torrington to the villages of Petrockstowe and Meeth. Further south to Okehampton on quiet roads the route from there to Lydford is known as the Granite Way. Its along the western fringes of Dartmoor to Tavistock and south from there by more traffic free sections along the superb Plym Valley Trail that leads to Plymouth Hoe.

Whether you are planning a few days trip across Devon, or a day's outing from Plymouth, Okehampton, Barnstaple or Ilfracombe, the Devon Coast to Coast route is the way to explore this varied and wonderful countryside.

Traffic Free Sections of the Route

• Ilfracombe to Willingcot Cross (968KB - pdf help) (NCN route 31 - soon to be re-numbered NCN 27) 3miles/5kms
  Easy family cycle path along course of former railway line path from Ilfracombe leading to on - road signed links to Woolacombe Sands and picturesque north Devon countryside.
• Barnstaple Cycle Network (270KB - pdf help)
• The Tarka Trail (NCN routes 3 and 27) 32miles/51kms
  Easy family cycling along entirely traffic free former railway with wonderful estuary views between Braunton and Meeth via Barnstaple, Bideford and Great Torrington.
• The Granite Way (1.27MB - pdf help) (NCN route 27) 11miles/18kms.
  Ideal family cycling between Okehampton and Lydford along former railway with spectacular views of Dartmoor and west Devon countryside, superb viaducts along Way. Steam train option in Summer between Okehampton and Meldon. Includes short on-road section via Bridestowe, continuing to Lydford along former railway line.
• Drake's Trail (NCN route 27) 26km walking and cycling route.
  The network has something for all age groups and fitness levels, starting with the new off-road cycling section between Tavistock and Plymouth view the routes at www.drakestrail.co.uk .
  Gem Bridge is being built at the moment and will span 200metres linking Tavistock with Horrabridge...read more

Tarka Trail Guide

An easy family cycling along entirely traffic free former railway with wonderful estuary views between Braunton and Meeth via Barnstaple, Bideford and Great Torrington. Running over 30 miles along old railway tracks of North Devon.

Click on images to enlarge or download PDF from here:
http://www.devon.gov.uk/cycling-leismaps-tarkatrail.pdf