I will shave my legs for just £500

I’m three months into my attempt to climb 100 iconic hills, bergs, kops and mountains on my bike in 2017.  So far I’ve ridden up 28 of them, mostly in torrential rain.

The purpose of all this is to raise money for Cancer Research UK, as part of the asset management industry’s goal of donating over £1 million to the great cause this year.  So far we’ve collectively raised over £300,000 as part of CASCAID, through a wide variety of events and challenges.  You can read about some of these efforts and the work of CASCAID and Cancer Research UK on the link below.

http://www.cascaidcharity.com/

As a reminder, I’m cycling up 100 famous climbs featured mainly in Simon Warren’s excellent series of books called things like “100 Greatest Cycling Climbs” and “Another 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs”.  There’s also room for a few wildcards – hills not in any of the books but that are worthy contenders, for example The Peak in Hong Kong which I rode in January (in a rainstorm).

You’ll find the evidence of all the climbs on Strava, and here’s a list of all the twenty eight climbs that I’ve done so far:

1. Swain’s Lane, London
2. Muswell Hill, London
3. College Road, London
4. Chinnor Hill, Chilterns
5. Kop Hill, Chilterns
6. Whiteleaf, Chilterns
7. Kingston Hill, Chilterns
8. The Peak, Hong Kong
9. Mount Austin, Hong Kong
10. Mount Butler, Hong Kong
11. Deepwater Bay Road, Hong Kong
12. Mount Davis, Hong Kong
13. Combe Lane, Surrey
14. White Down Lane, Surrey
15. Box Hill, Surrey
16. Barhatch Lane, Surrey
17. Leith Hill, Surrey
18. Coldharbour Lane, Surrey
19. Britwell Hill, Chilterns
20. Dudley Lane, Oxfordshire
21. Combe Gibbett, Berkshire
22. Streatley Hill, Berkshire
23. Whitchurch Hill, Oxfordshire
24. Chalkpit Lane, Surrey
25. White Lane, Surrey
26. Toy’s Hill, Kent
27. York’s Hill, Kent
28. Hilltop Lane, Surrey

What’s next?

Having ticked off most of the hills near to London, I’m going to have to get a bit more organised and plan some weekends in the Peak District, Yorkshire and the other hilly bits of the UK for the rest of the year.  I have to ride up 2 hills per week to stay on track.  I’m right on schedule now, but the low hanging fruit has gone.  I’m also nervous that northern hills might be steeper and longer than our soft, southern hills.  Having had some company and moral support from Ali, Jeff and Pete on a few rides so far (thanks!), I’ll be making sure I round up some company for the rest of the year.  If any readers fancy tackling a hill or two with me, give me a shout.  I’m hoping to ride the Cat and Fiddle climb near Macclesfield with M&G’s answer to Phillipe Gilbert, Chris Elliott, at the end of June (New Order are playing at the old Granada Studios that very evening, by some strange coincidence…).

As a final incentive to donate, if I raise another £500 for Cancer Research UK, I will invest in the ultimate of “marginal gains” and shave my legs.  Sadly I won’t be able to attend the workshop below at Look Mum No Hands, but if anyone has any “pro-tips”, let me know…

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserPage.action?userUrl=JimLeaviss&faId=772830&isTeam=false