Vatche Kassardjian for Highgate School Bursaries

Vatche Kassardjian, our Principal, will be raising money in aid of the Bursary at Sir Roger Cholmeley's School at Highgate, by cycling from London to Brighton as part of the British Heart Foundation cycle on 15th June 2025. Join the cycle or donate to make a real difference to children's lives. Every donation helps.

We all have our own reasons for doing things, and even in charity we often have our own motives. My wife, and chooser of well timed sage words, told me that we do things for ourselves.

She’s right, as usual. I wanted a challenge. Something to focus on. To get fit. I’d done the cycle last year, and wanted a better time, but also some company along the way. It’s easier to work in groups after all, and I found a willing group of fellow Highgate School fathers and OCs, and possibly more (anyone is welcome to join us).

There was the charity aspect for all of us at work, an initiative we spoke about introducing into our work environment for years, which has just been coming into play over the last two to three years. Giving back. Engaging the local community, and seeing where there is need, and seeing if we can help.

I’ve always believed in standing up to bullies, and helping those on the receiving end, so I approached the School to see if there was something I could do along these lines. None of the chosen charities worked with bullying, however the option of helping the Bursary came up.

On invitation, attending an evening where some of the children who had been awarded a Bursary spoke of how it had helped them, along with former pupils of Highgate’s sister school, the LEAT, and how grateful they were.

It reminded me of a story I read in one of my son’s books last year - a wonderful 5th birthday present last year from Seth. It was about Greek Mythology, and at the back there was a sort of glossary. In it, the tale of Pandora’s box, and how all terrible things were released on its opening. The only positive thing that came out of it was Hope. Something to strive for, a better life, achievement. We all want it for ourselves, our children.

The Bursary and the LEAT give children a great, rounded education, for sure, but also Hope to those who may not have otherwise had it. To the children, their families, their friends, and to all around them.

This felt right to me, as I hope it does to anyone who reads this.

Vatche Kassardjian

We’re coming up to 16 weeks before the London to Brighton cycle, and training should start in earnest from Monday 24th Feb according to the British Heart Foundation training program.

I’m keen to train well, finish in a good time, and improve on last year’s time. It’s a fun cycle, a charity cycle, but when asking for money I want to have earned it - I want people to know that I’m not just going to cruise round, have a burger and a couple of beers on the way, but I will suffer as much as I can bear!

I guess that brings me onto the next point. I don’t want to suffer at all on the cycle! I want to enjoy it. That doesn’t seem to fit, with suffering and earning the kind donations that people will give, but being fit and prepared for the cycle will mean I will enjoy it more than a 7 hour slog feeling sorry for myself.

So I plan to train well. Same as last year. I loved the cycle and I loved encouraging people up those hills (as I bounded past some of them), and found motivation when seeing others speed past me.

Reflecting back, there was so much sacrifice. We had an 8 month old terrible sleeper at the start of training, and a 4 year old who needed the support that 4 year olds do.

I had to fit the training in at night time and early in the morning, with many 5am starts on the weekends. It wasn’t easy but there was a great sense of achievement, and my super supportive wife and older son were so proud when I finished, and we had some generous donations to the British Heart Foundation to boot.

I’ve been working on core strength, building cycling essential muscles and recovery (HIIT) over the last 6 weeks or so. This has meant meeting my trainer once a week at 6:20am on Hampstead Heath - icy, lucky he’s such a warm character. I’ve edged in a few weekly longer cycles on the Peleton, while easing out for several (very) short cycles on the road bike. Last weekend I skipped out for a 30km cycle, and I was most pleased for my winter cycling gear I bought in the sales last summer. This weekend I’ll have a 40km ride on the bike early on Saturday morning and hopefully 20km ride on Sunday morning and, once I’ve defrosted, I’ll plan out where I am and where I need to be to beat last year’s time (3hrs 31 mins moving time, 3hrs 42 mins total time). I’ve also been playing lots of Fives which helps with recovery times. It’s not climbing Everest, but it’s a challenge and I’m looking forward to it.

I’m encouraging the team to get organised and get training. Most of them are cycling on a regular basis to work, so that is a great help, and we’re looking forward to some of the longer cycles to build stamina, probably from mid to late March.

Charity Cycle Training Update: Building Strength, Speed, and Stamina

As I prepare for the upcoming charity cycle, my training has been progressing well, with a structured approach focusing on speed, stamina, and strength. Balancing training with work and family life has been a challenge, but the routine is taking shape, and the results are starting to show.

Strength & Speed Training

A significant part of my preparation has been my strength and speed training, which also complements my other sporting activities. My sessions include a mix of squats and deadlifts—fantastic for building leg power, endurance, and stability on the bike.

• Personal Training: Thursdays at 6:20 am on Hampstead Heath.
• Focus: Lower-body strength, core stability, and explosive power.

Weekend Rides

My weekends have been structured to target different aspects of cycling fitness:

• Saturdays: Long rides to build stamina, gradually increasing both time and distance.
• Sundays: Speed-focused sessions, aiming to improve my average speed.

My speed goals are as follows:

• 25 km/h by the end of March
• 27 km/h by the end of April
• 27 km/h by the end of May

Average speed is difficult as it is so dependent on the lights and traffic, but it's still good to have a goal.

The rides have been cold but stunning. Getting out of bed has been the hardest part, but once I’m on the bike, I love it. Frozen toes are a minor inconvenience compared to the sense of achievement and the spectacular early morning views.

Additional Weekday Rides

Starting next week, I’ll be adding a 20km ride before work one day a week, building up to 3 days a week in May. These shorter, consistent efforts should help reinforce my endurance and contribute to my speed gains.

Progress & Challenges

Despite a couple of missed weight training sessions (let’s say due to time constraints rather than excuses!), I’ve remained largely on track. The blend of early morning starts and structured weekend training is proving effective, and I’m gradually pushing my limits.

What’s Next?

Beyond the training itself, I’ll also be ramping up the fundraising efforts over the next month. The physical challenge is important, but the ultimate goal is to raise funds for a great cause.

Thanks for following along on this journey—now, it’s time to keep pedalling!