8 July

Well,  a week to go now.

Why am I doing this?  Don't know really, just seemed like a good idea last year after a glass of wine.  It's a bloody long way, you know and I thought I'd test myself a bit the year I turn fifty.  My wife, Amanda, kids James and Ted and the dog (Sparrow) think I'm barmy but agreed to follow down in a camper van to support/laugh at me along the way.   The dog did most of the route planning and has agreed to direct Amanda along the trickier bits.

I'll be leaving Yorkshire on Sunday and start the ride next Tuesday.  I'll be honest, I'm a bit nervous now but spurred on by the numerous good wishes and the disturbing community concern about midges and my bottom.

I've put up a map of the route, for interest, but I hope to post each day of the ride to let anyone who is interested know how I'm going on.   If you do read this, please consider donating to Marie Curie, a very worthwhile charity.  Click here to donate

From the outset, I'd like to make it absolutely clear this ride wouldn't be possible without the support of my wife, Amanda and kids, James and Ted. Without them I wouldn't have a chance of completing the ride.  With them, there's no excuse for failure.