[AD] Sudocrem is Celebrating it’s 90th Birthday with a 90k Cycling Challenge: Competition
If you are regular readers of my blog, then you will have probably noticed that I have a passion for cycling. Nowadays my 9 year old twins are developing the same passion for cycling and we often go on family bike rides around our local area.
So when I was approached by Sudocrem to join their 90k family cycling challenge to celebrate Sudocrem’s 90th birthday party this Easter, I instantly knew it would be perfect for us as a family. I couldn’t wait to get involved!
During the pandemic of the last year there was a massive boom in cycling. This was especially true during lockdown for no other reason that there was nothing else to do! On the plus side, families were doing more together, exercising together and just getting outdoors, which is where the Cycle More campaign comes in. The aim is to encourage more families to cycle together to keep the trend going.
The Cycle More campaign is all about completing a 90k bike ride and what better way to do that than as a family over the Easter break. Sudocrem has teamed up with Paralympian cyclist, Dame Sarah Storey and meteorologist, Laura Tobin to encourage families or individuals to get on their bikes and raise as much money as possible for the wonderful premature baby charity, Ickle Pickles.
Our twin girls were born premature nine years ago. It was a rollercoaster ride of emotion, but knowing that there are fantastic charities like Ickle Pickles out there supporting neonatal units with neonatal equipment all over the UK is a very comforting thought and something I will always support.
You don’t have to ride 90k in one bike ride. You can do it over a day, a week or even a month. Just keep adding up the distance you ride each day until you hit the 90k target. Oh yes! Don’t forget to pack your ‘My Little Sudocrem’ pot in case you get any cuts or scrapes along the way!
You can set up a fundraising page here: uk.virginmoneygiving.com. All proceeds go to towards purchasing vital neonatal equipment to help sick and premature babies all over the UK. Make sure you get all your family and friends to sponsor your 90k Cycle More Challenge.
In support of the Cycle More campaign, the charity, Cycling UK have provided some family cycling tips to get all of us on our bikes. Here are Cycling UK’s top ten tips:
1. Make sure you have the right bike
Children grow fast so before going out riding for the first time check the bike is still the right size for them and adjust the saddle height if needed to allow them to extend their legs fully. If the bike is still too small for them, it may be time to buy a new bike.
Most bike shops will be able to advise on the right size bike frames for children and if you worried that a new bike would cost a fortune, you can often pick up a good quality second-hand bike from a bike recycling centre or from trusted online forums like the one run by Cycling UK. You can find out more here Buying the right bike for your child | Cycling UK
2. Watch how to do it
There are lots of resources online encouraging children to cycle. Cycling UK has produced this video How to cycle with your family during the coronavirus crisis | Cycling UK on how to teach your family the skills to go out on a family bike ride packed with lots of tips covering everything from the best position for an adult to ride with children and where to go.
3. Practice in the garden or a local park
Don’t be too ambitious and start small. Set a target and get your child used to feeling comfortable mounting and dismounting the bike and then build up to cycling from one tree to another and work on getting them used to stopping and turning around.
4. Short and simple
When your child is first learning to ride a bike, it is better to practice little and often rather than spending a long time trying to teach them so they end up becoming bored, frustrated or tired. Around half an hour is probably enough for a little one, but children are different, so you’ll probably pick up the signals when its time to take a break from the bike
5. Plan your route
Before setting off on a ride, spend a bit of time planning your route. Stick to quiet local roads, cycle paths or traffic-free routes. Cycling UK has a journey planner tool on its website which allows you to find a route Journey Planner | Cycling UK that will suit everyone in the family.
6. Wear the right clothing
Your kids should wear whatever they feel comfortable in, although overly baggy or long clothing is probably not ideal. For the same reason, make sure your child’s shoelaces are tied up tight before going on a ride so they don’t get tangled up in the chain or the wheels.
7. Bring a snack
If you are going for a longer ride than your child is used to, remember to bring some liquids to stay hydrated and a few small, easy-to-carry snacks to keep their energy levels up during the trip.
8. Eyes ahead
Remind children to keep their head up and looking at what’s in front of them when they are moving. There’s no need to look down at your feet peddling, they’ll take care of themselves.
9. Convoy time
If you are riding with more than one child, put the oldest or most confident child at the front and younger ones in the middle. As the adult ride slightly behind your children so you can keep an eye on them and point out any potential hazards. Encourage them to be aware of their surroundings.
10.Have fun
Don’t forget, riding as a family should be about fun. Take your time and let your youngsters discover a love of cycling for themselves. This is a family activity which can give years of pleasure and quality time together doing something that keeps you all healthy, so with spring coming up now is a great time to get out riding.
The Cycle More Campaign from Sudocrem aims to raise money for the Ickle Pickle charity. It is an extension of last years activity where Sudocrem supported the Ickle Pickles charity by raising over £30k through sales of My Ickle Sudocrem pots. This year Sudocrem are keeping the tradition going with sponsored bike rides.
COMPETITION TIME
If you would like to win a Panda Cycling Kit, jump over to my Instagram channel to be in with a chance. Click here to enter.
View this post on Instagram
This is a paid collaboration with Sudocrem.
