The Chloe Cycling Challenge (CCC)
Stephen Wilshaw
29th May 2017
This event has closed
Story
The birth of a baby is the most wonderful experience.
Premature birth, however, can create the most stressful and traumatic time for the child, parents and all family connections.
The death of a premature baby after weeks of intense struggle to survive is almost too painful for parents to endure. This pain had to be confronted by our friends John & Lorna when, after being born at 25 weeks, their little girl, Chloe’s fight to live, though heroic, was sadly not enough. Chloe died at the end of November last year after 12weeks striving to have, what would have been, a life surrounded with love from wonderful parents.
Even with fantastic support from family and friends to help them, John and Lorna found themselves in a situation they were unprepared to cope with, and spent 3 long, tiring months in neonatal intensive care with their little girl before losing her. This was incredibly tough for them. The rest of the family; sisters, brothers and parents, also struggled through a mix of magical and terrifying times before suffering such loss. John and Lorna were further helped by a wonderful charity, Bliss, who are there to support people through the experiences of having premature or sick babies. Whether babies come home, or do not, the rollercoaster parents experience is unimaginably tough. Many don’t have family and friends to help them. Bliss provide practical support and information to help. They fund and deliver training for nurses to put the baby and family at the heart of all care provided. They also campaign to improve policy and practice and they enable life-changing research.
Everyone connected to Chloe learned so much about the issues and the problems associated with premature birth. John and Lorna made that happen. Despite their sadness, they are working to build a legacy for Chloe which does as much as possible to help those who have to deal with such trauma. John and Lorna weren’t able to bring baby Chloe home. Bliss work tirelessly to ensure that all the babies born premature or sick in the UK have the very best chance of survival, and quality of life. They need money to do this.
Lorna's parents Hugh and Kathy Carmichael, naturally want to help. So, this year we are setting ourselves, Hugh, Kathy, Christine Johnson and Steve Wilshaw, a set of challenges. It is mainly bike based and will be in France following in some of the pedal strokes of famous Tour de France.
The death of a premature baby after weeks of intense struggle to survive is almost too painful for parents to endure. This pain had to be confronted by our friends John & Lorna when, after being born at 25 weeks, their little girl, Chloe’s fight to live, though heroic, was sadly not enough. Chloe died at the end of November last year after 12weeks striving to have, what would have been, a life surrounded with love from wonderful parents.
Even with fantastic support from family and friends to help them, John and Lorna found themselves in a situation they were unprepared to cope with, and spent 3 long, tiring months in neonatal intensive care with their little girl before losing her. This was incredibly tough for them. The rest of the family; sisters, brothers and parents, also struggled through a mix of magical and terrifying times before suffering such loss. John and Lorna were further helped by a wonderful charity, Bliss, who are there to support people through the experiences of having premature or sick babies. Whether babies come home, or do not, the rollercoaster parents experience is unimaginably tough. Many don’t have family and friends to help them. Bliss provide practical support and information to help. They fund and deliver training for nurses to put the baby and family at the heart of all care provided. They also campaign to improve policy and practice and they enable life-changing research.
Everyone connected to Chloe learned so much about the issues and the problems associated with premature birth. John and Lorna made that happen. Despite their sadness, they are working to build a legacy for Chloe which does as much as possible to help those who have to deal with such trauma. John and Lorna weren’t able to bring baby Chloe home. Bliss work tirelessly to ensure that all the babies born premature or sick in the UK have the very best chance of survival, and quality of life. They need money to do this.
Lorna's parents Hugh and Kathy Carmichael, naturally want to help. So, this year we are setting ourselves, Hugh, Kathy, Christine Johnson and Steve Wilshaw, a set of challenges. It is mainly bike based and will be in France following in some of the pedal strokes of famous Tour de France.
The CCC targets are based on some of Chloe’s statistics:
12 weeks of life…..12 TdF Mountain cols
37 weeks of equivalent gestation ….37,000 ft of ascent
1,565 grams at death……1,565 km
805 grams at birth……805metres open water swim… to help cool down !
13 skin to skin cuddles….there will be none of that on this trip, we will be too tired !
150bpm was Chloe’s target heart beat. Our maximum heart beat, for our age, is around 150bpm and with every one of those matching heartbeats we will know that we will be doing this for Chloe’s legacy.
12 weeks of life…..12 TdF Mountain cols
37 weeks of equivalent gestation ….37,000 ft of ascent
1,565 grams at death……1,565 km
805 grams at birth……805metres open water swim… to help cool down !
13 skin to skin cuddles….there will be none of that on this trip, we will be too tired !
150bpm was Chloe’s target heart beat. Our maximum heart beat, for our age, is around 150bpm and with every one of those matching heartbeats we will know that we will be doing this for Chloe’s legacy.
Updates
Stephen Wilshaw
15th August 2017So we have exceeded our tragets... hoorah !!
1,740 k
63,000 ft of ascent
805m open water swim
14 Tour de France cols
£2,920 raised....£80 would make it £3k...any offers?😊
It was a fitting end to the challenge to share the last col with Lorna & John and friends and family....it is not, however, the end of Chloe's story. She will always be with her family and friends and her legacy is there to ensure we all try and help those who need it most, especially those babies born to soon, too small or too sick.
Thank you.
Stephen Wilshaw
9th August 2017That is our 12th TdF today, the mighty Col du Grand Colombier...and Grand it was. Tres steep for most of the ascent. It was also a special day. Kathy's birthday(a significant one) 😊🥂
Kathy said at the top 'That was really hard, but Chloe was with me all the way ..It's another one for her'.
Stephen Wilshaw
6th August 2017...and we are off again to complete the challenge! We are now in the Vosges in North East France. Yeasterday we cycled up the Ballon d'Alsace. Are totals are :
1,620k
59,200 ft of ascent
805m open water swim
11 Tour de France cols
We only have 1 Tour de France Col to climb to complete the challenge but we will probably exceed the target. In a couple of days we move south to attempt the Grand Colombier. We will meet Lorna and John there...
Stephen Wilshaw
16th July 2017We have been back in the UK a couple of weeks but the cycling has continued. We have added a further 320k and some 2,900 ft of ascent.
Running totals are now :
1,526 K
56,875 ft of ascent (nearly twice the height of Everest !!)
10 TdF cols......(in training for the other 2 in a few weeks time :-)
Keep an eye out for the updates around the 2nd week of August.
Thank you again on behalf everyone from Bliss.
Stephen Wilshaw
25th June 2017We are now in Culoz at the base of the Grand Colombier. That's the big hill in the photo.
We road alongside the Rhone today. 101k and 1050ft of ascent.
Our totals are:
1,206k
53,975 ft
10 TdF cols
Christine's open water swim.
The Grand Colombier is on our list but we won't be doing it until August when we will climb it on Kathy's Birthday when she will be an amazing 70 years young 😊👏👏
That will then leave us one col and some 'ks' to do which we will complete in Chamonix , appropriately, with Lorna and John during their wedding week😊
Stephen Wilshaw
23rd June 2017The final few ramps up the Semnoz, also known as the Crete de Chatillon(no wonder someone gave it a shorter name). They did not however, shorten the climb. You will see Kathy, Christine and Hugh on the road just right of centre if you zoom in. It was a shame it was hazy as the views across to the Mt Blanc Massive are stunning.
70k and 4171ft achieved and, of course, another TdF tick ✅🚵🏼🚴🏻♀️🚵🏼🚴🏻♀️
Stephen Wilshaw
22nd June 2017Updated and verified stats:
1035 kilometers
48,654ft
9 TdF Cols
Christine's 805 metre open water swim.
Big ride tomorrow will take us to around 1,100k , 54,000ft and 10 TdF cols .......getting there....with your help....thank you 😊😊🚵🏼🚵♀️🚵🏼🚵♀️
Stephen Wilshaw
22nd June 2017It's getting tough....please donate to keep up going😊
Lovely ride today along Lake Annecy yesterday then into the hills. Just 56k, 2155ft height gain and it was a TdF Col! 😊
Today is chill day...tomorrow we have more challenges.
Stephen Wilshaw
19th June 2017Rest day yesterday, 43k and 112ft of ascent. Big day today, 65k and 5436ft of ascent to the Col de Croix de Fer at 6782ft 😮 Off to Annecy tomorrow for a proper rest 😊 🚵🏼🚵♀️🚵🏼🚵♀️
Stephen Wilshaw
17th June 2017Alan an Billy, brothers from Waterford, Eire. They passed us on Alpe d'Huex. They had a coffee on the next table in the cafe. We talked about hurling 😮They asked us about the Bliss logo and words on our jerseys. They gave us a €20 note.
We like Alan and Billy and all you other good people who are helping us reach the target figure. Still nearly £400 to go but I'm sure we will get there 😊🚵🏼🚵♀️🚵🏼🚵♀️
Stephen Wilshaw
17th June 2017Help !!
Got your attention? 40 degrees C ride in the Luberon two days ago. 84k with 3976ft of height gain.
Today we. climbed a little hill called Alpe d'Huez.....if you don't know it , Google it. It is the 'Hollywood' climb of the TdF. In plain words it's hard, 22 switchbacks , averaging 8.5% constant over 13k. Then we climbed another col, the Col de Sarenne for good measure. 67k with 5,280ft of height gain and 2 TdF cols done. An amazing effort by team CCC😊🚵🏼🚵♀️🚵🏼🚵♀️
Stephen Wilshaw
15th June 2017Thank you everyone for you generous support. If you haven't yet been able to donate then there is plenty of time😊Please read how today went. No pictures just the words.
84km, 3953ft in 41c temperatures. About 3/4 way into the route and at the top of another col the heat was getting to us and the ladies were suffering with their feet. At this point, Hugh reminded us of Chloe's struggles with breathing and all the associated issues...we reflected on our good fortune to be doing what we do and got on with our task of trying to hit the targets.
Stephen Wilshaw
14th June 2017Flying down the hills in Luberon. Very hot again so plenty of Luberon Lubrication required. Drinks of course and none of that chilled rose' stuff allowed😳
Short day of 50.1km and 2310ft.
Running totals are 684k and 30,115ft.
Regarding cols.....we have climbed 10 cols, 5 of which have been used in the TdF (I have official details Lorna Carmichael if you need further verification😉) .Riding here tomorrow then north to the big stuff. Are we ready.....half empty glasses not allowed on this trip so YES😮🚵🏼🚵♀️😳🚵♀️😳🚴🏻😳
Stephen Wilshaw
14th June 2017Christine was half way through he swim yesterday when she started to doubt whether she could do it. She struggled a little, the rhythm in her stroke and breathing suffered. She began to feel like a fish out out water not in it. She then said to herself 'Chloe'......'Flipper'.....'Chloe Flipper!' and off she swam 🏊🏻🐬🚴🏻🐬🏊🏻🐬
Stephen Wilshaw
13th June 2017Stunning views half way around yesterday's ride. Gorge de Nesque in the foreground with 'that' mountain in the background(Ventoux Rodney) 😮🚵🏼🚵♀️🚵🏼🚵♀️
Stephen Wilshaw
13th June 2017Today was Christine's 800 metre open water swim challenge ably assisted by those true tri veterans Kathy and Hugh. The water was really inviting, warm and , we, green 😮 They completed the circuit in 25 minutes...watch out Sharon Davis 😊👏👏👏🏊🏻🏊🏻🏊🏻
Stephen Wilshaw
13th June 2017Captain Carmichael's log, star date 12th June 2017...do you have communication Miss Ahoorahporahoora? I don't think I can take it Captain, pass me another Dilithium crystal!
Fortunately no problems with Klingons .
A very hot, long day....again. 113k, 4518ft which included 2 cols. We recorded 37.5c and the display board in Beames showed 44c 😮 We had been out since 7:45 and back at 17:00...so over 9 hours in the sun. It was tough but beautiful and our target and our thoughts of why we are doing this kept us going. 😊🚵🏼🚵♀️🚵🏼🚵♀️
Stephen Wilshaw
11th June 2017A photo from yesterday taken by a young cyclist called Mo who, with her partner, were over from Calgary, Canada on a cycling holiday. She was kind enough to take the photo but was intrigued by our team jerseys and what we were doing. Kathy told here the story and as we were about to set off again she came over and gave us €10 which we will put up in the site when we get back👏👏 There may be some bad people in the world but the good ones will always be in majority 😊🚵🏼🚵♀️🚵🏼🚵♀️
PS Apologies for not zipping up my jersey 😳
Stephen Wilshaw
11th June 2017Really hot again today so we decided we would keep it short and have some recovery time. Stunning views again.
We did 48.4 k , climbed 2204ft over 1 Col.
Our running total is:
7cols
23,287ft
521km
Our target is :
12 cols
37,000ft
1565km
We are still building our strength and fitness so we will ride here tomorrow, then do the open water swim and move into the Luberon area for more height and mileage. We can then look north and west to the high cols😮😳🚵🏼🚵♀️🚵🏼🚵♀️
Stephen Wilshaw
10th June 2017A 'Bliss' day:
A Blissful ride up the the Gorge de Nesque and, wait for it, 'Blisstering' heat. 32c in the shade, 110k ride with 4355ft of height gain and one col😮👏👏🚵♀️🚵🏼🚵♀️🚵🏼
'''Twas a tres tiring day in that heat but stunning views of Mt Ventoux and the Dentelles. Out again tomorrow for more fun and pain 😮
Stephen Wilshaw
8th June 2017What a difference a day makes (only 24 hours as the song goes) but 20c hotter! It was touching 30c today. Only 40k ridden but another 2755ft ascended. Those volcanoes created some steep hills. Oh, and there were two cols; Col de Veindex and the Col de la Soeur.
Off to Haut Provence tomorrow to get more mileage in, a bit more height and more strength in the legs before tackling the big ones.
Stephen Wilshaw
7th June 2017The fund raising is going well with 66% of the target reached! 👏👏 More to do though so if you haven't donated yet then Please, Please, Please help us to help those little ones who are born too soon, too small or too sick 😊🚴🏻♀️🚴🏻🚴🏻♀️🚴🏻
Thank you from team CCC.
Every body part hurts at some point...foot massage stop 😮
Stephen Wilshaw
7th June 2017We are in the Massif Central just outside Le Mont-Dore. After celebrating Christine's significant birthday last night a couple of us woke with poorly tummies. It was also a cold day with temperatures in the single figures. We had two 1500ft cols to climb which meant it would be even cooler at the top. With a coffee stop after the first Col and a fix to Kathy's rear mech ( ooo errr) we got back to the campsite and chilled. Only 51k on the click but another 3861ft of height gain. The two climbs are both TdF Cat 2 climbs.
Stephen Wilshaw
5th June 2017Burgundy country...I suppose they have to have some hills to provide the drainage for the grape vines, but so many hills and so long ?
112k and 4540ft achieved. Team CCC are tres tired tonight as it was a a tough day. Moving to the Massif Central tomorrow for a couple of TdF climbs.
Sorry but no photis as poor internet connection,
Stephen Wilshaw
4th June 2017I thought we ought to show you all a cycling photo😮🚴🏻🚵♀️🚵🏼🚴🏻♀️
Stephen Wilshaw
4th June 2017In Burgundy. Quite appropriate giving that we are always 'whining ' about the hills. It's a great area to get the legs going, rolling hills and country lanes...and vineyards 🍷 so just over 💯 k done and some 3000ft of ascent achieved in a circuit from Santenay via Autumn with its superb Roman amphitheatre. It certainly got a thumbs up from us😊
More riding in this area tomrrow🚵🏼🚴🏻♀️🚵🏼🚴🏻♀️
Stephen Wilshaw
3rd June 2017Steve and Chris managed to get across to France in their Motorhome but, unfortunately the Carmichaels broke down north of Dover. They managed to get 'Dobbin' fixed and joined Steve and Chris a day later. Chris in Steve managed a 62k ride with some 2,500ft of ascent over the coastal hills just to the SW of Calais. As the weather is poor today we are moving down to Burgundy to get some wine.. sorry I meant to get some more miles under our belt and allow Kathe and Hugh to start theirs 😮😊🚴🏻🚴🏻♀️🚴🏻🚴🏻♀️
Stephen Wilshaw
1st June 2017'Serious' planning meeting just prior to leaving for France....checking weather to find best location for first rides...looking for 'rolling' rather than 'steep' to start with....