Gill Moon - three years on...

"Finally, after all the months of training and fundraising, the great day has arrived. I set off from Exeter coach station on a cold November day to embark on my 'impossible' dream – to take part in the Women for Women Cycle India 2006 Challenge for a charity very close to my heart, to help raise funds to train women doctors to specialise in women’s health and fertility problems. 

"I met up with one of my fellow cyclists at London Heathrow (which was very crowded and so noisy after rural Devon) for our onward flight to Delhi.

"Once in India, after boarding several coaches, our cycling team set off for Agra – our first overnight stop before the hard work began. The drive was long and slow and such a culture shock. People live their lives and run businesses at the side of the road. Animals were everywhere along with cyclists, camels pulling carts, cycle rickshaws and motor bikes with ladies in saris riding side-saddle. 

"After the long drive we arrived at our hotel and were met by the staff with marigold garlands for us all. 

"An early start the next day for our morning visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra where we saw the lawns being mowed by an oxen drawn mower! It was then back to the hotel for the very important bike fitting in readiness for our start in the morning. 

"After another early start and long coach ride we reached our starting point where we were blessed by a Holy Man before our departure. 

"The countryside was flat to start off with, with irrigated fields full of crops, lots of peacocks and wild antelope. The first village we rode through was horrendous and then it got worse; huge pot-holes full of muddy, soupy water with rubbish everywhere. Lots of people came out to greet us on the way and called out greetings to us – children want to practise English. We arrived at our camp site in the grounds of a school for girls with lovely tents and en-suite bucket toilets and washing facilities!   

"The next day was another very early start - only one village with 'soupy' puddles but with some horrendous bumps which upset my right hip as I had pulled a muscle quite badly on a training ride in October - painkillers kept me going though. Riding through the beautiful countryside reminded me of the south of France but with exotic temples, wild antelope and colourful birds. Lots of wonderful camels hauling carts full of very heavy stone. 

"After many punctures, kilometres of bumps and potholes and steep hills, our last day of cycling came. We set off from our desert campsite down a lovely, long hill and then through undulating countryside with small rural villages. With about 1 km to the finish we stopped to regroup so we could ride in pairs to the finishing line. It was very emotional to finish our ride where we were given marigold garlands again, a medal and a glass of champagne! 

"With a lovely lunch inside us we took our saddles and other personal bits from our bikes and sadly said goodbye to them, as they were piled into a lorry. We set off in our coach back to Jaipur driving through a town with an enormous cattle market with hundreds of water buffalo wearing fancy halters and garlands. 

"Our hotel in Jaipur was very comfortable. I phoned home from the hotel reception but couldn’t speak for crying. After eating our evening meal sitting on soft chairs, we all went to bed early and very tired. 

"The day before we flew home we had another long coach transfer to a restaurant for our celebration meal. Some of the ladies dressed up in the Indian fashions bought in the local bazaars. During the meal one of the charity organisers (Penny Cooke) announced that we had raised over £280,000 for Women for Women. 

"We are now into 2007 and I am still enjoying my cycling. I am so glad I had my hips resurfaced and got my fitness and life back. 

"The whole India experience was amazing. I enjoyed all the training and met some interesting people. I saw all sorts of wild life and wonderful countryside. The camaraderie with the other girls during the ride itself was great. The fantastic amount of money we raised for our “Women for Women” charity was a great achievement. 

"My next target is Cycle Cuba 2008 for the same charity."