Ride Across Britain: Kathryn Alty

Kathryn Alty, 24, is an analyst from Leyland but now living in London.
Kathryn AltyKathryn Alty
Kathryn Alty

Despite only taking up cycling last year, she loves a challenge and is riding this year’s event in memory of her sister Tracy, who died suddenly from bowel cancer last August. She is raising money for St Catherine’s Hospice in Bamber Bridge and Macmillan Cancer Support.

She says: “The bike and I didn’t get off to the best start – a tumble over the handlebars in one of my first outings created a somewhat tumultuous relationship with the bike. I was terrified of descending and was often seen walking down most hills I’d worked so hard to climb. Thanks to the support of a dedicated cycling buddy and multiple climbs and descents in Richmond Park I soon got to grips with the bike and am now in love with it. The freedom it brings, the fitness I’ve gained, the strength I’ve built and the countryside I’ve seen have been really inspiring.”

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About her motivation for taking on the ride, she says: “My sister, Tracy, sadly passed away from a sudden and aggressive diagnosis of bowel cancer last August. I completed a marathon last September in memory of her. She was an amazing person – so kind and caring to everyone she met and never one to quit or give up.”

She added: “The thought of doing RAB has me grinning from ear to ear – excited doesn’t quite cover it.”