10,000 Miles Complete! All Done, written by Mark Spreckley

I decided to challenge myself to ride 10000 miles this year (more than I’ve ever cycled in a year before) and wanted to help as many people as possible who are suffering with their mental health. Mind is the best way to help people through crisis situations and help support individuals and their families get back on track.

I knew when I set out on 1 January that this was no easy challenge I had set myself and would need to cycle 200 miles a week, every week in 2024. I started on the 1 Jan and cycled through the cold and rain, through to March. After Easter I completed a mammoth ride. Manchester to Chiseldon,187 miles or 302 km. This might seem hard but it’s not as hard as some of the challenges mental health can present.

Saturday 21 September I have completed my challenge, 10000 miles!!! With 3 months to go. I finished riding with my family, just a short ride to the pub to celebrate!

Mental health is so important and MIND do incredible things to prevent crisis, help those in crisis AND rehabilitate people who are struggling. With currently the highest ever suicide rate, and an estimated 1 in 6 children struggling with their mental health, we should not underestimate the importance of this charity and the work they do. Mind have helped me and I hope if you need them they can help you too.

This has been an immense challenge of endurance and at times felt relentless. But It has been fun and given me a great sense of achievement. Please don’t let me forget how hard it was when I come up with the next challenge!

Stats:

1st Jan – 21st Sept 2024
10000 miles / 16000 km
365,000 ft (12x Everest)
644 hours in the saddle
Average speed 15.6 m/h
27 x 100 miles rides
Inc 1 x 200 miles

Highlights:

Manchester to Swindon 187 miles.
SWCC Majorca 2024 – Sa Calobra!
Circumnavigation of Maritious 121 miles.
SWCC The Tumble and Gospel Pass.
Cycle to Paris Olympics and back.

My longest ride ever: Heart of England ride 243 miles/391km.

Thank you so much to everyone who has already donated to mind. If you would like to make a donation please follow my link below. Thank you!

I’d like to thank everyone who I have ridden with this year and made the whole challenge fun and exciting. Thanks to SWCC who have given me so much support with the Fundraising for Mind. And thanks to all my wheeler friends for their encouragement and making the rides fun and enjoyable. I have been surprised at the number of people who have talked with me about their experience with Mental Health problems of their own or family members. I do hope that Mind can help anyone who needs some support.

I will be having a short ride and a few beers to celebrate (Sat 5 October) If you would like to join me it would be great to see you.

Oh yes! My legs ache and my backside is sore.