An update from The Countess of Wessex on training for her 445 mile Diamond Challenge for The Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
It is now six weeks until the start of The Countess of Wessex's Diamond Challenge. Her Royal Highness will cycle from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to Buckingham Palace on behalf of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award. The Countess, and her cycling team, will set off on from Edinburgh on Monday 19th September and arrive in London on Sunday 25th September.
During a recent training session The Countess said "I think if you'd told me a few months ago that I would be able to cycle 60 miles in one go I would have laughed, but here I am doing 60 miles. It's been hard and there have definitely been moments when I have wondered what on earth I have decided to do!"
The small team of seven includes The Countess and representatives from four of HRH's regiments; 5th Battalion The Rifles; RAF Wittering; Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps and Corps of Army Music. HMS Daring, while at sea during the ride, will have a team of cyclists riding the 445 mile distance on static bikes on board. The team also includes representatives from the Army Physical Training Corps and Boardman bikes.
I think if you'd told me a few months ago that I would be able to cycle 60 miles in one go I would have laughed, but here I am doing 60 miles. It's been hard and there have definitely been moments when I have wondered what on earth I have decided to do!
The Countess of Wessex
Speaking about the support of her team The Countess said, "They know how to get me from one point to the next…they're providing a lot of chat to distract me and a lot of encouragement up the hills! They've been incredible, huge enthusiasts, and I could not be doing this now if it wasn't for them."
Find out more about The Countess of Wessex's Diamond Challenge on The Duke of Edinburgh's Award website.
