Individual's Hall of Fame

Mark Girling takes part in the Vätternrundan - a cycle event in Sweden on 15 June 2007

Hi there! My name is Mark Girling and I want to raise some money for TreeHouse. I like to do recreational cycling to stay in shape – sometimes I also cycle to work. Some years ago having done the usual charity bike rides I embarked on an altogether sterner test – the Vätternrundan.

Lake Vättern is in central Sweden and once a year the small town of Motola hosts a recreational ride around the lake. It’s a “big deal” in Scandinavia attracting over 16,000 cyclists mostly from Sweden, although less than 100 Brits make the trip. To accommodate the 16,000 cyclists, it is a staggered start over 12hours – small groups of approx 50 riders being sent out in 3 minute intervals. The ride is not off road but takes the riders along the pleasant shore line through sleepy Swedish villages, although there are a few long hill climbs. The main challenge is that it is 185 miles around the lake and of course you need to keep awake for a long, long time! The human body doesn’t like climbing up hills on a cold Swedish night at 2am - trust me!

I will again be taking on the challenge on the evening Friday 15 June 2007 – once the klaxon sounds for me at 7.30pm I will head off into the Swedish night. ETA? Who knows but it should be between 4pm and 6pm on Saturday. The things you need to contend with are – lack of sleep, weather conditions (during the race in 2004 it rained all the time), bike failure, muscle/joint fatigue – I am in my late 40’s –sitting on a bike saddle for a long period, “different” food and being mentally alone – I don’t speak Swedish and travel on my own in my own world. Before embarking on such a ride you need to get in shape so I have been cycling and working out in the gym since last summer. Even in the darkest, freezing winter day (or night!) I have been on my bike – doing the miles you need to do prior to embarking on such an endurance ride.

Any money donated goes to TreeHouse – I have already paid for the air travel, train ticket, accommodation & entrance fee and will not be claiming any of it back.

We all face challenges in life and for someone heading towards 50 this is a fairly tough challenge that requires a lot of attention to planning and training. Your support will not only enable me to help a very deserving charity but will also encourage me in my efforts in this ambitious undertaking. I, like TreeHouse, am Ambitious about Autism so please dig deep and visit my Justgiving page.

For more information about how you can get involved with raising money for TreeHouse, please email the fundraising team or call them on 020 8815 5430.

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