On 4th August 2012 Paul Boden took part in the Sleepless in the Saddle 24 hour mountain bike endurance ride to raise money for CRY in memory of Joe Parkinson.

“The Sleepless in the Saddle 24hr race started well with fine weather and a dry track. My plan was to ride double laps of the 13km off road course, stopping thereafter for drinks and food. After completing four laps the heavens opened with 30 minutes of monsoon conditions, heavy rain, strong winds and thunder and lightening……in the woods on a wet, steel framed bike probably isn’t the best position to be in when fork lightning is visible!!

The heavy rain had damaged most areas of the course. One section was closed due to the severity of damage making it unrideable. Lap times almost doubled due to course conditions making the night laps a tiring and dangerous time to be out. After a couple of hours of sleep I managed to get two more laps in the morning sun taking my total lap total to 8, just sneaking over the 100km distance mark.

Strangely it was a very enjoyable experience and one that I’m planning to tackle again next year. Thank you everyone for your sponsorship, messages of support and for the trackside help at the event.”

Paul Boden

You can still sponsor Paul at www.justgiving.com/BodeSITSCRY