Cycling mums to tow toddlers 1,000km across Turkey

**Cycling mums to tow toddlers 1,000km across Turkey**

Tori Williams (right) says she knows her mother, who died of leukaemia when she was a child, will be their "biggest support in this crazy adventure"

Two British mothers are cycling across Turkey with their toddlers in tow to show that adventure does not have to end when motherhood begins.

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

Williams lost her mother to leukaemia in 2000, when she was only 10, while Ruck, nicknamed The Girl On A Bike, had 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 taken part in some of the toughest 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 mother.

"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."

Together with her 22-month-old daughter, Skylar, and Williams' two-year-old son, Leo, the two friends will face Turkey's roads and tracks in all weather while also coping 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."

Vanessa Ruck says she is still breastfeeding so her body's "got to do even more every day"

Although they only got the e-bikes a week and a half ago and have had just "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 riding in trailers or front-mounted child seats, the friends hope the trip will inspire 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".

The two best friends are hoping to show that motherhood "doesn't mean adventure has to stop"

Along with encouraging other parents to "seize the day" and take their "kiddies" along, 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 journey was not only a way to honour her mother's spirit but also to create 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.