Cycling 100 miles in memory of my best friend, Ria

Beth Cass and her fiancé Charlie, 27, took part in Ride London in May and cycled 100 miles through the undulating Essex countryside and past the iconic London landmarks to raise money for the Hospice, in memory if Beth's best friend Ria, who died in our care in 2021. Beth has shared her story with us. 

Charlie and I got together 5 years ago after knowing each other since Primary School. We’re both quite active and sporty and I would say we’re fairly keen cyclists but not religiously out all the time.

I did a charity ride in March from London to Cannes, France which gave me the ‘cycling bug’ to sign up to another challenge and RideLondon has always been something I wanted to achieve. Charlie didn’t really have much say in signing up, but he did it with me!

Supporting the Hospice that cared for my best friend

Saint Francis Hospice is a cause very close to my heart. My best friend, Ria Melvin, passed away in 2021 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour and the hospice made her last months with us more comfortable and bearable.

The hospice supported her with a multitude of services, which I never knew could be offered, and I know she absolutely loved it - it definitely gave her some joy when she really wasn’t well.

I wanted to give back to the hospice for giving so much to her, when she really needed it most. I will always be so thankful for Saint Francis Hospice for being there for Ria.

Ride London was a challenge - but I'd do anything to help Ria's memory live on

Following my big charity ride in March, I lost a lot of motivation to get out on the bike in the rubbish weather and the longer I left it, the worse the motivation levels got. So for RideLondon there wasn’t much training leading up to it and I really noticed this on the day. Minimal training with hot sweltering sun, it was difficult for me to say the least. Charlie however, thrived. He has already signed up for next year to focus on getting a better time!

Beth and Charlie with Ria's Mum, Carol, on race day

Ria was a super special person; you were lucky if you knew Ria or had her in your life - she was one in a million and I’d do anything I can to make her memory and legacy live on.