This week, Mind Over Matter became the first British all-female wounded, injured and sick team to complete the World’s toughest bicycle race, the Race Across America.
Founded and led by Major Sally Orange RAMC, Mind Over Matter consisted of eight riders with ages ranging from 33 to 68. It also included Blesma Members Tara Robertson and Nerys Pearce. Having started on the 8th of June 2019, the team travelled 3000 miles from Oceanside, California to the City Dock in Annapolis, Maryland in a staggering 8 days and 12 minutes. They had to push both their physical and mental capabilities to the max as they crossed 12 states and climbed 190,000 feet whilst traversing three major mountain ranges (Sierra, Rocky and Appalachian) as well as passing through the Mojave and Sonoran deserts at temperatures of 45 degrees Celsius.
Their challenge ambassador Dame Sarah Storey DBE said before the event: “What these remarkable ladies are embarking on is truly inspirational, they have my utmost respect.”
Whilst rider Nerys Pearce said: “There’s something really special about a group of women coming together, especially that are wounded, injured and sick in some way, and taking on this challenge.”
A huge congratulations must go to this team who have made history and achieved something truly magnificent, overcoming the height of physical and mental challenge and working fantastically well together as a team to get through it. Organisers of the event, Leadership Challenges, described the team as “amazing.”
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