A group of inspirational mums, who five years ago decided to get on their bikes ‘to help others’, have completed their toughest challenge yet by cycling up the French Alps to raise money for Breast Cancer UK.
Friends Lea Helman, Helen Style, Vered Lobel, Naomi Chanim, Sharon Rubin and Melissa Rockman, organised their first charity bike ride to support their children’s pre-school which was struggling during the pandemic.
The novice cyclists rode from London to Brighton, raising £35,000 and preventing the closure of the pre-school where Helen was headteacher. Inspired by their success, the women continued on their mission to help others and have since completed four more charity rides.
The mums, from Muswell Hill in north London, have raised a staggering £90,000 for causes close to their heart. This year, Breast Cancer UK will share the money raised –nearly £10,000 – with Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) Support UK. PCD is a rare genetic condition which two of Helen’s sons live with daily.
Cycling challenge 2
Lea, instigator of the first bike ride, said: “We all had young kids and like most parents were going stir crazy during Covid so I thought cycling would be a good way to get out of the house but also help the pre-school. But we never imagined that one ride would turn into this.”
“We’ve since cycled across France, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden through rain and wind – and had more than a few meltdowns! But we’ve raised an incredible amount of money for charities close to our hearts. These aren’t just charities to us. They represent people we love, families like ours, and challenges no one should face alone.”
After half a decade of ever more challenging rides, the mums agreed this latest adventure – which took place over a weekend at the end of June – would be their last, so wanted to make it their biggest and most challenging yet.
After flying to Geneva in Switzerland on the Friday evening, the women set off early the following day and cycled 92km from Geneva to Albertville in France via Lake Annecy – enduring the summer heat with temperatures peaking at 37 degrees Celsius.
Day two of the ride saw the mums cycle a further 64km, across very hilly terrain, to reach Bourg-Saint-Maurice – again facing sweltering temperatures. On the third day, the friends faced their biggest challenge of the trip, clocking up a further 40km and climbing 2,200 metres above sea level to reach their final destination, Col du Petit Saint-Bernard – a climb classified by Tour de France as Category 1: severe, highly demanding mountains.
But the women couldn’t celebrate for long: with sore and tired legs, they still had to make their way down the steep decline back to the base of the mountain in Courmayeur, Italy.
In spite of the highs and lows, both physical and psychological, Helen reflects fondly on the experience: “We’re all very tired but we had the best time. We’re elated and proud of ourselves for having achieved the climb but the best part was crossing the line at the end by far! The views were stunning but the worst part was definitely all the climbs. And the downhills were scary but fabulous.”
Cycling challenge 1
The group’s desire to raise money for good causes has helped them through some difficult moments, but so too has their friendship.
“Raising money for good causes has driven us forward but the camaraderie on each trip is pretty special. We have such a laugh. We’ve supported each other throughout the last five years and we will always have this special bond.”
With breast cancer the second most common cancer worldwide, it’s not surprising the friends all have a connection to the disease either through a work colleague, friend, or family member.
However, the good news is that studies show at least 1 in 4 breast cancers case are preventable through simple lifestyle changes, such as improved diet, drinking less alcohol, being active, managing your weight, and reducing exposure to harmful chemicals.
Lea said: “When I suggested raising money for Breast Cancer UK, the response was overwhelmingly positive from everyone. Everybody knows someone that’s had breast cancer or is going through it. We chose Breast Cancer UK in particular because we like to support smaller charities as our donation can hopefully make a bigger difference to the work Breast Cancer UK do. The more impact we can make, the better.”
The mums have received plenty of community support over the past five years. Ian Gray, owner of local bike shop Northern Heights, has helped with training, mapped out routes, changed countless tyres, and rode in all five charity rides.
Spin instructor Marta Sterbak, who works at the gym Muswell Hill Club, helped prepare the friends for the leg-burning inclines by devising a special spin class which focused on hill climbing.
Family and friends have also played a big part over the years with Helen’s husband Phil, and her former work colleague Sharon, driving the support van each trip – making sure everyone is well fuelled and hydrated.
Lea added: “We’re just semi-fit mums who have busy lives with work and other stuff and have had to fit our training in where we can. But on the flip side, we have an amazing time together and we raise money for charities like Breast Cancer UK which is really important for all of us.”
The mums – who range in age from 40 to 60 and have 17 children between them – have always wanted to use their fundraising to set a good example to their children about the importance of helping others.
Affectionately known by the other women as the grandmother of the group, Helen, 60, said: “I have always said to my kids that they need to volunteer for things. You need to put yourself out of your comfort zone for other people and give back to society. And I would encourage other parents to do the same.”
