Chase the Sun
‘Not your typical cyclist’, Amanda Shorey from Bournemouth found challenge, confidence and community in the Dorset cycling community and rode the width of the UK in one go as she completed Chase the Sun. The 37-year-old tells all…
Tell us about your journey with cycling, how did you start and how did you ramp it up (excuse the pun!)?
I have ridden a bike since I was a small child - growing up I used my bike to do my paper round and transport to school and college. It wasn’t until I was in my mid to late 20s that I started ‘getting into cycling’. I had always wanted to do Lands End to John O’Groats and had imagined that I would probably walk it. It hadn’t really occurred to me that I could cycle it until I started researching it. I had a big birthday coming up and decided that I wanted to cycle the distance to mark the milestone. The journey was over 1,000 miles - I went the long way and carried everything I needed for the two week trip, tent, cooker etc. I hadn’t even fixed a puncture before I left and knew very little about bike maintenance but I learnt that en route! It was such an adventure and one that I look back fondly on. That was seven years ago now and I can’t imagine not being able to ride my bike regularly.
What do you love most about cycling in Dorset?
Dorset has such a varied landscape and so many fantastic routes that can be explored. With miles of coastlines and the Purbecks alongside forests and quieter roads there is always a new route to try - I do have my favourites though! I enjoy a rainy cycle along the beach when the prom is really quiet, it’s quite a grounding experience. I highly recommend a cycle along the prom from Bournemouth to Sandbanks and catching the ferry across to Studland. A fairly short cycle will get you to Swanage for some well earned chips by the sea. Breaking the ride up on the way back can be an excuse to stop at the Bankes Arms and watch the world go by.
What happened with Chase the Sun - what is it, why did you want to do it?
It’s a 205 mile bike ride held close to the longest day each year. There are four routes, The North, Ireland, Italy and the South. I rode the South which starts on the Isle of Sheppey and travels through south London towards the Mendips and Cheddar Gorge in Somerset, finishing at the Weston-Super-Mare pier. It all started when local man Olly Moore wanted to see how far he could ride in one day. He took a couple of friends with him on his first attempt and it’s grown from there. Now almost 1,000 people attempted the South ride alone this year.
I wanted to prove to myself that I could do hard things and I wanted to show other women that they can do these male dominated events too. Cycling over 200 miles in a day through London and the hilly countryside is a massive challenge for even the most accomplished rider.
I first tried it in 2023, before finally completing it this year. My first and second attempts couldn’t have been more different! I was so incredibly nervous the first time that I rode Chase The Sun - there was a lot to think about. Would I make it?
Was I fit enough? What if I ran out of water or food? How big were the hills? What if I had a problem with my bike I couldn’t fix? The list was endless. It was 31 degrees on the day of my first attempt and I don’t really deal well with cycling in anything over about 20 degrees. I managed to complete 75% of the route, or just over 150 miles, but started to feel quite unwell and made the hard decision to withdraw.
My second attempt had much cooler temperatures: the sun didn’t come out for a long time and the morning was filled with rain. It brightened up after lunch and was a pleasant but very windy day. I was cycling with a good friend this year - he is a much faster rider than me but we had agreed to stick together and ride at my pace. We rode the first 100 miles comfortably and just kept cycling. I am so proud to say that I did finish it and shed a tear when I saw the illuminated pier at the finish.
What did you learn along the way? What would you say to others thinking of stepping up their cycling?
Just do it! It’s hard, it will probably hurt but you’ll have experiences and make memories that you will never forget. Try not to overthink it. It’s you, your bike and the ride of a lifetime. Wherever you are on your cycling journey, the main thing is to just enjoy it. Whether you’re cycling a mile to the shops, 10 miles to work or school or doing 100 miles for the first time - enjoy it. I’m not a stereotypical cyclist and I’m not fast. Cycling gives me headspace and allows me to slow down. It’s a community, transport and good for the planet. Plus the cake stops are great!
I have found my communities and my people through cycling in Dorset. I ride with Cycle Like A Girl, Velo Domestique and the New Forest Off Road Club. All these groups get people out there and share the joy of life on a bike. I have made so many really great friends through these groups and without them, there are many experiences that I wouldn’t have tried. Surrounding yourself with people that fill your cup and help you to feel inspired and have your back is so important. Community is key!
This summer, I rallied a few friends together to do something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time - to cycle through the whole night. A small group of us cycled from Southbourne, to Cranborne and Shaftsbury returning via the New Forest. We left at 8pm and rode 120 miles returning at around 7am. I would love to turn this into a local event to show others just how beautiful the area is and the difference between riding day and night. Watch this space...
Website → chasethesun.org
