Monmouthshire Beacon: Two mums and toddlers launch into Turkey bike challenge
Monmouthshire Beacon: Two mums and toddlers launch into Turkey bike challenge
As seen in the Monmouthshire Beacon on 14 November 2026.
The Monmouthshire Beacon shares an update from the opening six riding days of my Turkey adventure with Tori Williams and our toddlers, Skyla and Leo. The feature reports 347 km ridden, 5,630 metres climbed and £1,360 raised for Leukaemia UK at that stage.
It explores the reality behind the journey: storm-soaked kit, punctures, packed lunches and nappy changes, alongside playground discoveries, trailer naps and the joy of sharing an adventure with our children. Gary’s motorhome backup provides tools, spares, a kitchen and somewhere to regroup.
The fundraiser remembers Tori’s mum Wendy, who died when Tori was ten. The story also touches on my return to cycling after seven surgeries and life with chronic pain, and our hope of showing that motherhood can make room for adventure.
This is a sister-publication version of the progress story also featured in the Abergavenny Chronicle, separate from the Beacon’s October departure coverage. The Beacon page displays 14 November 2026; its metadata records initial publication on 12 November and an update on 14 November. The figures above describe the early trip, rather than our current totals.
Read the Monmouthshire Beacon feature.
Support the Leukaemia UK fundraiser in memory of Wendy.
If you’re new here, I’m Vanessa Ruck, The Girl On A Bike: a motorcycle racer, adventurer, motivational speaker and mum living with chronic pain. Read about the cycling accident that started this journey.
Follow the adventure on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.
The Girl On A Bike thegirlonabike
I'm a bike loving, free spirited adventurer born and raised in England. Life took a turn in 2014. In a single moment life as I knew it was taken away by the momentary lapse in judgement of a red-light-jumping car while I was cycling. My recovery to fitness took a little over 7 years with 7 major surgeries and since that day I've made it my goal to make the most out of life. My biggest goal is to help encourage others to get up and get out there. It doesn’t matter what it is, but we all start somewhere and if I can do it, so can you! Let’s make the most of life, what we do have around us and have fun doing it.
