Kindness Ride - Day 1

02:33

26.1km

10.3km/h

35.3km/h

470m

280m

What a total joy to be in the Peaks on such a beautiful day! My heart felt full as I pedalled slowly along the canal, full of people (I’d forgotten it was Sunday!) and as I climbed the Cromford incline, I was so touched by how many random people offered words of encouragement - it helps so much! One young lad on a MTB was doing hill reps so he passed me a few times and said “keep going” in a beautifully calm and respectful way - I hope his mum is proud of him!

The “Kindness Ride” was an idea that formed last year, people are often so kind to me on adventures, small gestures that mean a lot of I never feel like my “thank you!” properly conveys what their kindness means to me.

So I set out to see if I could do a random act of kindness for someone while I was on an adventure. However, beyond the usual things like holding gates or chatting with folks who maybe just want someone to talk to, I wasn’t able to manage a radome act of kindness. I realised that it’s just a mindset, and the more I think about it on future adventures the more likely I am to succeed. So I’ll keep trying.

I did take some “Kindness Hero” tapes - like the name tapes you see into your clothes at school. I dished them out whenever someone held gates for me etc.
it was a real joy to see their faces light up! 🥳🙌

I had a strong headwind for the entire day, and by the time I reached the YHA at Hartington, I was cooked! lol
I had the entire dorm room to myself, and for £13.50 this felt like I’d won something 😄