Cycling mums to tow toddlers 1,000km across Turkey

Two British mothers are cycling across Turkey with their toddlers in tow to prove adventure does not end with motherhood.

Vanessa Ruck, from Penallt in Wales, and Tori Williams from Cinderford in Gloucestershire are aiming to pedal 1,000km (621miles) in 25 days to raise money for Leukaemia UK.

Williams lost her mother to leukaemia in 2000 when she was just 10 while Ruck, Nicknamed The Girl On A Bike, underwent seven surgeries after being hit by a car while cycling in 2014.

Ruck said: "We want to do it because life is really short, we both know that from our two different stories - and what's the worst that's going to happen? We don't make it very far down the road, but we're going to try."

Since her accident, Ruck has competed in some of the most demanding off-road events, including the gruelling 6,000km 2024 Africa Eco Race across the Sahara on a motorbike.

But, she said, her life changed again "pretty dramatically" in 2024 when she became a mum.

"Motherhood doesn't mean adventure has to stop. It just means adventure looks different," she said.

"So, with a really good friend that I met through motherhood, Tori, we came up with this idea of doing a massive adventure whilst juggling our toddlers."

Along with her 22-month-old daughter, Skylar, and Williams' two-year-old son, Leo, the two best friends will be tackling Turkey's roads and tracks in al weather while also dealing with toddler tantrums.

"We've set a 1,000km route that has 21,000m of elevation - that's 2.4 times the height of Everest and our legs are going to be powering us whilst having trailers, our toddlers, our tents and all of our equipment," Ruck said.

"We've got e-bikes but we're probably towing 40kgs behind us - so this is going to be a big, big challenge."

Despite only getting the e-bikes a week and a half ago and having only "five days with the bikes" she said they are "both very determined mums".

"We haven't done as much cycling as we'd hoped," she said.

"Some of our days are planned to be anywhere from 39km to 80km - so that's like doing the London to Brighton bike ride multiple days in a row and with elevation.

"And I'm still breastfeeding so my body's got to do even more every day."

With their young toddlers travelling in trailers or on front-mounted child seats, the friends hope it will encourage other parents to find their own version of adventure.

"We've had to plan things from what toys to entertain them in the trailers and what food and snacks we're going to be able to prepare," she said.

"They're both going through nappy training - so quick-dry trousers if we do have messes."

She added that "the biggest goal is the kids having an amazing memory".

Along with encouraging other parents to "seize the day" and take along their "kiddies", the friends are also raising money for Leukaemia UK.

Williams, whose mother died of leukaemia at the age of 39, said taking her son on the adventure was not only a way of honouring her mother's spirit but of making memories she knew could not be taken for granted.

"Mum was a go-getter in life, she took every opportunity that came her way and I know she'd be our biggest support in this crazy adventure," she said.

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