Fit Ladies - a cycling adventure

Well, here I am.. sitting at my computer thoughts at the ready for my first EVER blog!
I wanted to start this blog to document the HUGE and MONUMENTALLY life changing journey I am embarking on with two of my besties and another lovely new friend.

If you are reading this you most likely know what I am referring too... a fundraising adventure for Arthritis NSW.. cycling from through Vietnam and into Cambodia.

The moment Jane told me about her intention to cycle across Vietnam for Arthritis research my interest was sparked. Jane was diagnosed with arthritis in recent times and knowing her struggles and daily routines with it ,all I could think was.. this lady is amazing, a little mad (sorry love), but mostly an inspiration and well, I just wanted to sit beside her as she made this incredible journey - sore "seat" and aching muscles and all!!!!!
I looked over at my husband as Jane described the trip and he mouthed.. "GO FOR IT"!!! Well I laughed at this point and I think I said something like.. "I can't, what about the kids????"

Of course we all laughed and made jokes about Adam handling the kids for 2 weeks ALONE.. but deep down my heart was racing with just the notion that maybe this was do-able. So in true Macrae fashion (those who know me well will know I don't tend to half do things and when Adam and I decide something is a go-er... well, that's that then, case closed) we chatted for a while once everyone was in bed and wham bam thank you Adam... I was going to push bike it around Vietnam with one of my besties!

Telling Jane I was joining her on the ride was beautiful, there were a few tears but mostly excitement and we jumped on and signed me up straight away before I had a chance to over think the whole thing.

Since then another bestie (don't you just love that word) joined the crew and all of a sudden we were three young mums leaving our (between us) 8 children in the care of their fathers and taking the plunge into a huge cycling challenge unlike anything we had ever done before.

But ofcourse you can see we are FOUR fit ladies, cue Sal's entrance into the team! Sal is an inspiration all on her own, mum to one our dear friends Scoots, Sal is officially our team trainer and is the only experienced rider in our little bunch!

And then there were FOUR!

So for now we are taking it one step at a time, Sal & Jane in Canowindra, Marissa and I here in Coonamble - a foursome of strong, dedicated & enthusiastic ladies all geared up to tackle this challenge head on!

Over the coming months we will fundraise our "seat" sore butts off for ARTHRITIS NSW, ride our bikes ALOT, get fit and most importantly prove to ourselves we can do something amazing. Come along for the ride on facebook and follow www.facebook.com/FourFitLadies

 As an aside, I told Oscar (my eldest bub) that I was going to ride a bike in another country for two weeks.. the cutest thing in the world was he thought that was cool, but he teared up because he was going to miss me. I think one of the most challenging things for me is going to be walking onto the plane and leaving my three beautiful babies behind.. I consider myself to be a strong person mostly, but seeing his little eyes tear up 10 months before I am actually going anywhere.. well it just makes me unbelievably honoured to be his mum and TERRIFIED of what is to come. But hey, that's part of my journey and I think a part that is going to make me a better mother out the other side.

I look forward to sharing this with you, lumps, bumps and all. This is my journey and wow what a whopper!