So this is the big one for me.
I've been cycling as long as I can remember my three wheeler being traded for a two wheeler when I was 10 or so years old. After a relatively long break from cycling (about 15 years) I got back into it again about 5 years ago and I'm now taking it further than I did before. It might be one of my mid-life crises, to add to the rest.
I make notes on my blog at http://bianchisticymraeg.blogspot.com when I get a bit of time so there's more detail there.
I've been building up to London to Paris for 3 or so years, gradually getting into 50 mile sportives and making my first 100 in September 2010, albeit a rather Cheshire Plains kind of flat route. This year has been and will be focussed on getting those distances up further whilst combining it with some much more serious climbing (e.g. 67 mile in March on the Cheshire Cat, 87 miles in Lancashire in June) and putting some multiple days together (e.g. 2 x 60 at the end of May, a 40 - 60 - 80 in early July and 2 x 60 in 2 consecutive weeks in August). I'm trying to get at least 3 days per week of commuting to and from work - at 30 miles per day.
So that's the personal challenge, but there's more to it than that - whilst trying to achieve that challenge it seems that others might think that its either completely mad or worth making worthwhile - hence making this a fundraising effort for Save The Children - hopefully all those miles will make a difference to some disadvantaged children somewhere on our planet. When I see my own kids growing up, learning and being healthy, I find it so difficult to imagine how difficult it must be for kids that don't have their security and privileges - so perhaps my bike ride can make a bit of a difference. I'm aiming to raise £1000, so please contribute if you can - donate here. Thanks.
Here's my trusty aluminium and carbon steed:
