Hi I’m Matt
About 2 years ago, I decided I needed to get a bit more exercise into my life. My brother had a bike which he didn’t use much, so I asked whether I could use it a couple of times a week to help with my new exercise regime. I hadn’t ridden a bike since I was at university (thats around 12 or so years ago now) and after riding for less than a mile, I quickly realised that my fitness wasn’t up to much. Albeit hurting, I didn’t let this get in the way…I tried to push myself a little further and a little harder each day.
About two weeks in, I was covering a distance of around 3 miles each time I rode. Rather stupidly, I then commited myself to doing the cycling part of an Olympic distance Team Triathlon event with two friends. Thats around 26 miles. Four months later, and after a serious amount of training, the big day came. Gladly, we all completed our individual events, tired, but thriving on the adrenaline!
Jump forward to 2009, my dad, Tony Smith, has been appointed Mayor of the Borough of Great Yarmouth. This was a big day, and the start of a very big year for him and my mum, Sara. I could see from the start that my dad was going to be very passionate about making a difference in the area, especially through his charities. Those that know me would say that I have a lot of similarities to my dad, and that day, something clicked…I needed to do something to help my dad help others…
Having previously caught the cycling bug, my crazy idea of a big bike ride from Lands End to Great Yarmouth was born. Find out more about the ride at the site, but most importantly dont forget to donate and help the local charity.
