No. 14 I don't know where to start!

So much has happened since I wrote my Necrotising Fasciitis story over the last 3 blogs I hardly know where to start. I’ll ramble and see where it goes. Firstly Christmas is always a tough one I normally struggle hugely and try to keep super busy usually outpouring my emotions in a drunken speech around New Year. This year it didn’t happen. Nothing. No tears. No breakdown. No anger. I waited for them to come but they just didn’t. I genuinely think the blog has been more powerful than I could ever imagine. I may have written the story but I haven't actually haven't read it and I'm not sure when I will or if I even need to. People's reactions to it have been amazing and I feel a little lighter :-)

So, of course, a fair bit of cycling has been completed, weather has been shocking so we've been thankful for the rollers and Sports Performance Yoga has been keeping me on track and mixing the training up a bit. But it's becoming clear that this blog has to be about people. I am seriously amazed by their loveliness. People share my blog , our fundraising page, help to raise awareness of mine and Graeme's challenge, give us support with products, time, advice, want to join us for stints of the journey, want to welcome us at the the end or meet us as we travel. As well as all that, incredibly people, friends and strangers, actually part with their hard earned cash to make a difference. We are staggered. We thank you all.

The route has now been finalised which hopefully you can now see in detail on the blog. We are soon to be receiving our cycling jerseys made lovingly by spiritcycling.com which www.nfsuk.org.uk have very kindly sponsored us for. Thank you.

We are officially sponsored by the amazing company Australian company www.rearviz.com who have provided us with their incredible RearViz product and will also be donating to The Lee Spark NF Foundation with every purchase of their product using the code #BIKE2014 It is the best product we have for our bikes and has made cycling even more enjoyable. We are ecstatic to be involved with such an incredible company with a fantastic product and ethos, with special thanks to Mitch Cripps. Thank you.

The lovely www.auracyclesystems.co.uk kindly donated one of their Aura belts to keep me safe during night cycle training. I love it. Thank you.

womenscyclinguk.co.uk chose to feature me in their magazine thanks to the fantastic Editor Lara Dunn getting in touch through Twitter. Thank you.

Unbelievably after a meeting at the London Bike Show with Kirsty Ho Fat from totalwomenscycling.com I have been named as one of twelve inspirational women in cycling to celebrate International Womens Day which you can read here cyclings-most-inspirational-women and right now I couldn't be happier!! Thank you.

There is a long way to go and a huge amount to do. Accommodation still needs to be arranged for two-thirds of the ride. We need technology to guide us and record us, we need to get bike fits and include turbo sessions in our training. We had wanted to hire a Watt bike but they have stopped doing this so we need to find some close to us in Bromsgrove. The list is literally endless, but we will get there. Not just because we have to, but because we are surrounded by people like you. Thank you.

You can send support, advice or just be plain nosy by following my Twitter twitter.com/velvetcherries

Or donate at virginmoneygiving.com/survivor

Thanks for reading :-)