2 punctures, 2 spare tyres, 1 spare bike, 1 idiot London driver, 1 pulled muscle, 1 case of tendonitis, 1 full day of rain, 3 near cases of hypothermia, 2 bursts of tears, 16 pairs of soaking wet gloves, socks and shoes, 38 energy bars, 50 litres of water and 100 miles later…

On 17th and 18th November sixteen Warwick University graduates cycled 100 miles from London to Leamington Spa to raise money for Ovarian Cancer Action in support of their friend Emily McArthur who is currently fighting the disease.

Emily McArthur, 27, from Leamington Spa, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2006 when she was just 25. She completed a course of chemotherapy following diagnosis, but the cancer returned earlier this year. She is currently undergoing a second, more aggressive, course.

Emily is determined to raise awareness of cancer in young people, and of ovarian cancer in particular. Often mistakenly referred to as the ‘silent killer’, there are in fact key symptoms which, once identified, can aid early detection of the illness.

“I feel extremely proud of everyone who is involved in the cycle, because not only are they raising money for such a good cause, but they are raising far more awareness of ovarian cancer than I could ever hope to on my own. As well as that, on a personal level it shows me how much support I have behind me and that makes going through chemotherapy much easier”
Emily McArthur, Oct 2007.

The first day took the peloton from Richmond, via Harrow and out of London past Watford. The Chiltern Hills were passed as we went via Bovingdon and Tring towards Winslow. We’d like to give our thanks to The Duke of Wellington in Cheddington who provided us with cups of tea and coffee to carry us the last few miles to the Horwood House hotel.

For the second day the weather worsened, it started raining the second our wheels touched tarmac on the Sunday morning. The Fox and Hounds pub at Whittlebury provided a welcome warmup and the best cup of tea in England, opening for us at 10am on the Sunday morning. As we pushed on we got quite wet and some of the team really started to suffer from the cold. We owe a huge thanks to the Holybush Inn at Priors Marston who opened early for us so we could dry off and warm up. If you had lunch at the Holybush Inn and noticed a wet floor near the fire, blame us not them. Both pubs were kind enough to donate to OCA at our JustGiving page, legendary kindness.

It was hard to leave the pub and step back into the wet, cold day but we had a welcome to remember to warm us up in Leamington. Emily and family laid on a fantastic welcome for us at the finish with tea, coffee, soup and lots of delicious cake. A shower and a change of clothes later and we had a celebratory meal at a pub in Leamington Spa.

Thanks to the support team, Martin, Kate, Emily, Keith, Mat and Gaby. You saved our bacon a number of times and your encouragement helped us throughout. We would not have completed the ride without you.

Elsewhere on this site you can find out more information about the team, see photos of us in action, meet Laura (who ran the Great North Run for OCA), see our news coverage and read our latest news on the team diary.

Many thanks for your interest in our ride, you can donate to OCA at www.justgiving.com/ldn2leam