A biking enthusiast has tackled a gruelling 24-hour challenge after a friend's shock cancer diagnosis.
Joanna Cebrat, 43, from Whitefield, took on the exhausting challenge to raise money for Rossendale Hospice, which is caring for her friend Charlotte Boothman.
Charlotte’s shock cancer diagnosis rocked the cycling community and spurred Joanna to complete the British National 24h TT National Championship in West Cheshire and Shropshire.
She did this on the back of training for 100 miles and 12-hour time trials but nothing could have prepared her for what she faced.
Shivering, exhausted and feeling sick, Joanna said if it wasn’t for the charitable cause, she would have abandoned the race with the other 40 per cent of people that resigned.
She said: “This year the usual course had to be adjusted due to roadworks, so we had to complete a much hillier course in biblical rain and cold temperatures.
“I was in a rather poor mental state around 6.30am when I stopped for my breakfast.
"I had a massive saddle rash which caused agony during the last few hours.”
But despite the hardships of the 425.23-mile journey, she praised her excellent team for their efforts in helping boost her morale.
She said: “My wonderful club mates from Bury Clarion Cycling Club and 360 Cycling were taking shifts over the 24 hours to support and take good care of me.
“They forced me to put on dry clothes and have a lot of caffeine to wake up.
"It did help the morale and got me rolling again.
“But, the new course had no street lights and I wasn’t brave enough to do the descent fast on the dark wet road so it felt like constant climbing.
“Then, the stretch of road between Prees Heath and the final finishing circuit was a bit of a nightmare – it felt extremely hilly after riding for 22 hours, and when I saw the 18 per cent road gradient sign, I nearly cried.
"It totally killed me and I had nothing left on the final circuits.”
Despite feeling defeated at first, Joanna finished as the second fastest woman and eighth overall in the race.
Joanna has raised £1,140 and pledged all of her winnings from other racing events over the season to Ukrainian war victims.
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