|
 |
|
 This section will grow with time. Below you can read about training progress, other Fireflies events and news live from the ride. Consult the archive on the right to view archived messages. |
 |
| Charlie's Angels by Tracey Cahoon For me the idea to become a firefly rider entered my head a month before last years ride. John Payne (my other half) was going to meet Jake Scott his boss, friend and founder member of the Leuka ride at the restaurant Little Italy. I went along too. There where a few others there also. Friday night an all a bit fun was to be had. Early on in the evening the conversation switched to the Leuka ride. I remembered Jake being a little bit concerned that he needed to get fit in time whilst puffing on a cigarette and consuming glasses of fine wine., (a Scott trait by the looks of things) I could sense that John was excited. I also was very interested and excited for them. I started asking questions. (I had by then been cycling in and out to work for a few years and knew what it felt like to be free on a bike) Jake then looked at me and stated that they would like some women to do the ride and was able to tell that I could do it. Well that night when I got home and tried to sleep of course all I could think about how it would feel to endure a bike ride over mountains for days. It seemed very exciting and challenging. Even the next day I could not get the idea out of my head. Obviously I did not have enough time to train and also it was to be john’s first fireflies’ expedition. No one wants to spoil ones boyfriends adventure. But I was to hold onto the idea until the next year. Of course the idea kept coming back sooner. I accompanied John to the park a couple of times whilst he was training. Missing him when he would rise early to go training. And then listened to him on the phone explaining his journey every day. Got jealous and wanted to be there when he explained the views he had seen with a slightly tipsy voice some evenings. Which of course, I now completely understand. One definitely needs a reward at the end of each day after climbing mountains for hours, sometimes in the scorching heat or battling against the wind and rain feeling stiff, for ages (wishing you had trained harder) then breaking through that wall that everyone talks about say thirty or forty five minutes into it. And HELL sometimes not (CORMENT DE ROSELAND) the sore muscles, (shoulders for me especially). The sore poo nanny. Blisters, rashes. Breathing, getting a rhythm. Crying. Second wind, then relief as you see the col and the biggest smiling faces. Getting cold then big scary descents. Only to do it again and again. Arriving to a small chalet at dusk on some of the longest days... This is when you seriously down a glass of rose wine... And that’s what I had heard in John’s voice last year. I am sure I could also hear the adrenalin pumping down the phone line. I knew immediately I wanted to be one of the first lady fireflies... So later last year John kindly picked up a lovely Giant road bike when he was in LA.I started going out on my Giant. Obviously John knew I wanted to do the ride but I wouldn’t feel comfortable unless there some other women participating. Thankfully Harriet Stephenson I also feel like I could write about my fireflies’ expedition till kingdom come, I wont. Any other ladies out there interested will either have to wrestle me for diary or, just do the ride... LOVE TO ALL FIREFLIES.X Tracey Cahoon firefly no 23 Posted by Fireflies 2005 on . |
|
 Your donations are important to us. There are different ways to make one. You can either fill out a form and send it out with a cheque, or you can make a donation to Leuka online. Read more first Download the donators form Make an online donation |
|
 This year we are hoping to raise a minimum of £100,000 and whilst we recognise individaaul donations as given above integral to this cause, we also consider corporate sponsorships as key to achieving this goal. Unprecedented interest in the Fireflies offers sponsors an exciting platform for promotions and branding. See who is currently sponsoring us and find out how you can become a sponsor. |
|
 The Fireflies' arrival into Cannes has generated great support from the advertising industry and culminates with a hero's welcome at the Palais des Festivals. |
The Fireflies c/o RSA Films Limited
42-44 Beak Street London W1F 9RH