So began an intense preparation for her debut 24 Hour Trial in 2021, including exhaustive mechanical preparation and time on the bike under the mentorship of veteran rider, Jayne White.
While Heidi admits to having “a lot of moments of self-doubt”, years of competitive Thai boxing have also given her a strong sense of self-belief.
“I remember lying in bed, thinking there’s no reason I can’t finish,” says Heidi.
“Only three things would stop me; if a bone’s sticking out, I can’t stop the bleeding or the bike blows up.
“I’d be disappointed if it was my choice not to finish because it was too hard or too cold or any other myriad reasons I could give myself.”
According to Heidi, that self-belief becomes critical when day turns to night and adrenaline gives way to mental fatigue and exhaustion.
“At lots of stages when your body is hurting or you’re cold or tired, you just have to turn your brain to autopilot and put one foot in front of the other,” Heidi says.
“Fortunately what I lack in talent I make up for in stubbornness; a determination to finish what I started, I suppose.
“I don’t know how to explain the satisfaction of finishing. I remember riding out for the last lap, crying, thinking ‘I’m going to do it’.