2010 is the centenary visit of the Tour de France to the Pyrenees. 100 years ago the cyclists rode a mammoth stage of 326 kms from Luchon to Bayonne climbing over 6,000m! This year the Tour revisits the Pyrenees, in particular the feared Col de Tourmalet, the highest peak in the Pyrenees. 

L'etape de Tour allows amateur cyclists (with a death-wish) to attempt the same route taken by the pro's this year the week before they come through. A little shorter than the centenary ride, this year we will be covering 181kms and climbing 4,600m. Enough of a challenge!

This year I am hoping to raise money for Listen, a charity associated with King's College Hospital where Alisha my wife had 2 liver transplants in 2005 following the late discovery of Wilson's disease, a genetic disorder that attacks the liver. Listen provides support and accommodation for transplant patients and their families after transplantation. This is a fraught time for family members (as I can attest), many of whom come from outside of London to Kings for the operation and Listen has renovated a number of properties near the hospital for the use of family members and patients when they first come out of hospital.

Please give generously, and remember me on July 18th when I'll be suffering up those Cols.