---
title: "I did it – 100 miles on the bike for Action Medical Research"
url: https://www.simonwakeman.com/blog/2009/05/19/i-did-it-100-miles-on-the-bike-for-action-medical-research/
description: "Consultant and fractional COO for scale-up businesses. I help founders, leaders and investors in scaling businesses create sustainably high performing organisations."
published: 2009-05-19T19:30:37+00:00
modified: 2026-04-11T16:25:03+00:00
author: Simon Wakeman
---
# I did it – 100 miles on the bike for Action Medical Research

## I did it – 100 miles on the bike for Action Medical Research

Sorry this has taken a couple of days to post, but on Sunday I completed the [100mile bike ride](https://www.simonwakeman.com/2009/05/16/100-mile-bike-ride-tomorrow) to help raise money for [Action Medical Research](http://www.action.org.uk).  
[![Simon on 100 mile bike ride](https://www.simonwakeman.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/simon2-200x300.jpg "Simon on 100 mile bike ride")](https://www.simonwakeman.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/simon2.jpg)  
The first ten miles went nicely, but after the first ascent of the North Downs about 12miles the heavens opened and a fast downhill laced with sharp gravel chippings seemed to cause tens of punctures for riders, including me.  
So two inner tubes later I rolled into the feed station at Rochester (30 miles) wet and miserable. The race mechanics helped me out with two more spare inner tubes and a decent amount of air into my tyres – and a couple of colleagues from Medway Council came down to cheer me on waving their posters.  
The next 20 miles were hard work – two ascents and descents of the North Downs, gusty winds and driving rain made it tough. Passing through the 50 mile mark and over the M20 into West Kent the weather picked up, the sun shone and the roads got flatter and surfaces smoother (important when your backside feels every little bump and ride!).  
After a brief lunch stop in Headcorn (56 miles) it was onwards through the picturesque Weald in the sunshine to feed stations at Bodiam Castle (80 miles) and Goudhurst (90 miles).  
Leaving Goudhurst I knew I was going to make it and relaxed into the last ten miles with heavy legs but excited that the end was in sight.  
Looking back on the day, I really enjoyed the experience and the opportunity to test my physical and mental abilities against possibly the toughest physical challenge I’ve taken on (so far!).  
And most important of all, thanks to generous sponsorship I raised over £450 for Action Medical Research’s important work into children’s health, tackling problems affecting pregnancy, childbirth, babies, children and adolescents.  
**Thank you so much to everyone who sponsored me on the ride** – your support is very much appreciated:  
Alison Goldsmith  
Andy and Nicky Wake  
Billie Jeyes  
Catherine and Tim Day  
Cathy and Mike Barrow  
Colette Glasson  
Doug Haslam  
Jenny Wells  
Jo Knowles  
Jo, Olly and Toby Wakeman  
John Fox  
Julian Day  
Kathleen and Graham Vinten  
Kelly Wood  
Laura Cheshire  
Malcolm Wright  
Mark Dent  
Mark Wakeman  
Nick Tatt  
Paul and Di Cheshire  
Philip Young  
Rachel Davis  
Richard and Pat Wakeman  
Sarah McNally  
Simon Lewis  
Steph Coole  
Stephanie Fearria  
Steve Briley  
Tim Cooper  
Tina Larby  
Victoria Crabtree