Charity cyclists get golden advice

OLYMPIC gold medallist Rebecca Romero made a visit to Warrington to give advice to a charity cycle team about the embark on a gruelling challenge.
Rebecca, who rode to glory in the Beijing Olympics, dropped in a the United Utilities headquarters to meet WaterAid North West chairman Mike Naden, whose squad of 10 amateur riders aims to cover more than 850 miles in just four days.
The event, nicknamed “Blazing Saddles”, will start in Land’s End on June 8 and end 80 hours later in John O’Groats.
United Utilities’ IT Director Mike and his team will raise funds for WaterAid, the organisation that provides clean water and safe sanitation to Africa and Asia.
“It’s going to be the bike ride from hell so I’m really pleased that Rebecca has given us her support,” joked Mike.
Rebecca is reigning Olympic champion track cyclist and a former Olympic Games medallist at rowing – the first woman in history to win Olympic medals in two different sports.
She said: “My advice to Mike and his team is sensible pacing. It’s easy to get carried away early on, spurred on by adrenalin. Too much too soon means the first half can be done without much effort, but the second half seems twice as long.”
The 31-year-old is currently aiming for a place in Britain’s team pursuit squad for the London 2012 Olympics and is in the middle of an intense daily training programme.
“It’s all about long, steady rides – getting on the saddle for an hour every day. There’s no time for resting.”
How does she suggest the Blazing Saddles team prepares mentally for the gruelling cycling that lies ahead?
She advised: “Don’t think about the end. Break the race into small components and small chunks of time. Don’t think about the magnitude; it’s too much to contemplate.”
Mike’s route traverses the West Coast of Britain.
“The Lake District is quite hilly,” said Rebecca, “but it’s just a warm-up for Scotland!”
Awarded an MBE in 2009, Romero will find out in the next six months if she has made it to London 2012.
For Mike Naden, the wait for Blazing Saddles is only weeks away. “I’m getting very nervous,” he admits, “but I know we can do it, and make a difference to other people’s lives in the process. Blazing Saddles is all about saving the lives of people we may never meet.
“Approximately 4,000 children die from diseases relating to poor sanitation and two million people die from water related diseases every year, which is staggering considering we are in 2011.”
Rebecca agreed: “As a professional athlete I couldn’t survive without constant hydration. Water is so important.”
Anyone who wants to support Mike and his team for their WaterAid cycle challenge, should go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/WANWBlazingSaddles
Pictured: Team member Samantha Dale, Mike Naden and Rebecca Romero.