In 1998 the four of us (Angela, Andrew, Ian and I) for some strange reason(!) took up bike riding. This involved Angela getting a brand shiny new bike which she was very proud of! We lived 2 streets apart so it was easy to call each other up at short notice and go exploring - mainly up to the Woods in Coalville, those hills - what a nightmare... guess it did our thighs some good though! We were so into our biking that we cycled round Rutland reservoir - about 17 miles I think - we were very proud of ourselves and devoured THE most enormous picnic afterwards - Angela brought enough food to feed 8 and I brought about the same! In October 98 we attempted a sponsored 50km cycle ride around Belvoir Castle in Lincolnshire... one of the hardest physical challenges I think any of us had ever faced - mainly due to the MUD! It had rained consistently for about 6 weeks prior to the ride so the course was unbelievably muddy - at times our pedals were below the mud! Anyway, it was proper hard work, and I have to say that Angela was more determined than any of us to finish it - she was a gutsy lady and had great willpower. Don't get me wrong, she complained - as we all did - but there was NO WAY she would have given up. I really think I would have given up earlier had it not been for her determination to succeed. Unfortunately her ride was brought to a premature halt when there was a loud BANG and her tyre burst. Complete amateurs as we were, we couldn't fix it (it was quite a major burst!) so Angela and Andrew then faced a long walk to the nearest 'help' station. 6 bananas and several hours later, Ian and I managed to reach the finish line - covered head to toe in mud! I will remember those bike rides, the giggling, the sore bottoms, the 'oh my g0d who chose this hill' ... for many many years to come. This year I'm planning to cycle (a little way) down the Rhine in Germany ... Angela will be with me all the way. Miss you so much Ang, lots of love, Liz xxx