So, when I put my hand up to this in January I didn't even have a road bike and hadn't cycled other than the odd mountain bike ride (doesn't count) before. How very very naive of me, this is what you get for hanging around with athletes I suppose. Good things have happened already on this journey, I've learned to ride a bike, I've bought a bike, I've sold a bike, I've bought another bike, I've made some good friends, I've finished Tour of the Peaks (115miles and 3500m of elevation), I've cycled in the mountains of Majorca on a £10k bike and been on numerous 'stealth' rides. So, if you appreciate the challenge we are about to undertake and have a few pounds spare then please sponsor me.