The start of my new blog.

Recently, I have used this blog page to keep people vaguely updated on my London to Brighton bike ride challenge. I found that this was a really good way of writing down what I want to say in more than just 140 Twitter characters or annoying people on Facebook with a lengthy and dull status. The fact that it was just a link that people could click if they were interested in what I had to say made it more appealing to say exactly what I wanted without a limit or worrying that I would annoy people who were scrolling through their timelines.

So this is the start of my new blog. A blog all about me and what I have to say.

The other day was my 20th birthday. I'm no longer a teenager and I finally feel like a proper adult. I feel a bit more grown up. This also made me think that over the last 20 years of my life, I've not to talked to people in the way I'd like to.

A few weeks ago, I was having dinner with one of my closest friends - someone I have known for a little over half my life. It occurred to me in this moment, a moment in which I was feeling low and was struggling with a simple, everyday task, that my friend wasn't really aware of my issues. I also realised that nor was I to her issues. I had never explained how I felt and she had never seen me in a state like that.

I have issues opening up to people. Instead, I bottle my feelings up and cause myself to become overwhelmed with too many emotions. I keep myself to myself, which is absolutely fine, and I'm glad I'm not the kind of person who blurts out exactly what I'm thinking, but I think I keep myself to myself a bit too much. 

Of course, this isn't just a page for my issues, I don't want it to be therapy. I just want to write about the kind of things I do. If I can't open up to people face to face, then I can open up to myself by writing it down and then let other people read it.

I want to give myself a focus and hopefully learn to open up a bit more.

So this is me. I'm Charlotte. I'm 20. I'm a normal person.

♪ Hi ho, hi ho, it's only one week to go ♪

The time seems to have come around very quickly, and it's only one week to go until the big bike ride!

Admittedly, my training hasn't been going too well. I've been doing some cycling in the gym and I've done one more bike ride outside since the last blog post a couple of months ago. We cycled 17 miles and after this, I felt a lot more confident on my bike. It was on this bike ride that we were reminded of the importance of cycle helmets. Mum took a mighty tumble off her bike, and we were so thankful that she was wearing a helmet, as the outcome could have been an awful lot worse than just a few cuts and bruises!

She has since made her recovery and bravely got back on her bike.

Last weekend, Mum and Phil took part in the Norwich 50 as a warm up. They finished in 3 hours 37 minutes, which works out that we expect to complete the 54 miles from London to Brighton in around 4 hours. I didn't take part in it as I was away for the weekend, but I stupidly said that to make up for missing it, I would do the 50 miles in the gym instead. I regret saying it as now I have to do it, but I will to stick to my word, or I will forever have it used against me! 

At the time of writing this post, we have so far raised £485 of our £500 target! We are so nearly there!! Thank you to everyone who has sponsored us so far! If you haven't sponsored us yet, and would like to (any amount of money would really help is out), you can head over to our JustGiving page.... www.justgiving.com/KimPhilCharlie

Thank you all once again and we will see you later in the week.

Good byeeeee! xx