This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2z32d3qq7o

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Woman from Mickleover cycles men's Tour de France for charity Woman from Mickleover cycles men's Tour de France for charity
(3 days later)
Mrs Hudson finished her epic ride on the Champs-Élysées in Paris Amy Hudson finished her epic ride on the Champs-Élysées in Paris
A woman who says cycling saved her life has completed the men's Tour de France route to raise money for charity.A woman who says cycling saved her life has completed the men's Tour de France route to raise money for charity.
Amy Hudson cycled 6,556km (4,073 miles) on the formidable course, as well as the transfers in between the stages.Amy Hudson cycled 6,556km (4,073 miles) on the formidable course, as well as the transfers in between the stages.
The 29-year-old, from Mickleover, Derby, also managed to raise more than £70,000 for a mental health charity.The 29-year-old, from Mickleover, Derby, also managed to raise more than £70,000 for a mental health charity.
Mrs Hudson believes she is the first woman to complete the challenge.Mrs Hudson believes she is the first woman to complete the challenge.
"I don't think it's set in that I've done it," she said."I don't think it's set in that I've done it," she said.
"I wanted to do something to raise money to give back and prove that a woman can ride the men's [Tour de France], plus the transfers as well.""I wanted to do something to raise money to give back and prove that a woman can ride the men's [Tour de France], plus the transfers as well."
Mrs Hudson said cycling "made her feel alive again"Mrs Hudson said cycling "made her feel alive again"
Mrs Hudson turned to cycling after experiencing a "complete breakdown" during the pandemic.Mrs Hudson turned to cycling after experiencing a "complete breakdown" during the pandemic.
She suffered from an eating disorder from the age of about 17 until she was 24.She suffered from an eating disorder from the age of about 17 until she was 24.
In 2021, while working as a mental health nurse, she began experiencing intrusive thoughts and anxiety, before eventually deciding to quit her job.In 2021, while working as a mental health nurse, she began experiencing intrusive thoughts and anxiety, before eventually deciding to quit her job.
Her husband Kyle bought her a bicycle which she rode in the Peak District every other weekend with her dad.Her husband Kyle bought her a bicycle which she rode in the Peak District every other weekend with her dad.
"It was the only time when I could escape from my mind," she said."It was the only time when I could escape from my mind," she said.
"It gave me that sense of feeling worthy again when I felt so worthless because I felt like a failure from leaving my job." "It gave me that sense of feeling worthy again when I felt so worthless because I felt like a failure from leaving my job.
"Getting on the bike made me feel alive again.""Getting on the bike made me feel alive again."
Mrs Hudson began documenting her cycling adventures on social media, where she has since amassed tens of thousands of followers.Mrs Hudson began documenting her cycling adventures on social media, where she has since amassed tens of thousands of followers.
Mrs Hudson cycled the men's Tour de France route, as well as the transfers between stagesMrs Hudson cycled the men's Tour de France route, as well as the transfers between stages
Over the past month, Mrs Hudson has cycled the 21 stages of the 3,320km (2,063 miles) Tour de France route, climbing through mountain ranges in the Alps and Pyrenees.Over the past month, Mrs Hudson has cycled the 21 stages of the 3,320km (2,063 miles) Tour de France route, climbing through mountain ranges in the Alps and Pyrenees.
She also rode the transfers in between the stages, along which the professional athletes are driven, thereby adding more than 3,000km (1,864 miles) to her gruelling challenge.She also rode the transfers in between the stages, along which the professional athletes are driven, thereby adding more than 3,000km (1,864 miles) to her gruelling challenge.
Her total elevation gain was 74,862m (245,000ft).Her total elevation gain was 74,862m (245,000ft).
Mrs Hudson raised £70,000 for charity on the rideMrs Hudson raised £70,000 for charity on the ride
Mrs Hudson has raised in the region of £70,000 for mental health charity Shout - smashing her target of £10,000.Mrs Hudson has raised in the region of £70,000 for mental health charity Shout - smashing her target of £10,000.
She added: "Hopefully it inspires people to not give up when it gets hard because I was close to giving up at one point in my life and I'm glad that I didn't because I wouldn't be here doing this."She added: "Hopefully it inspires people to not give up when it gets hard because I was close to giving up at one point in my life and I'm glad that I didn't because I wouldn't be here doing this."
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, support is available via the BBC Action LineIf you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, support is available via the BBC Action Line
Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.