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<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you for taking the time to visit my Just Giving Page, I hope you will sponsor me to cycle the Etape du Tour in France where I’ll be aiming to cycle up mountains containing 3600 metres of climb over a length of 120 kilometres.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Given the possible heat, possible cold, possible rain, possible bike trouble, time constraint and a whole myriad of other problems which might get in the way on the day, completing the Etape will be a very real challenge for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moreover I am having to put in really hard and sustained work to prepare physically for it.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The training includes 4 sessions a week on my stationary turbo trainer, which I drag myself out of bed to do at 6.30am before work in my windowless garden shed, with only the lawn mover and paint pots for company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who know me well, will appreciate that getting out of bed at that time once, nevermind 4 times a week represents a significant challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Additionally once or twice a week I do a long ride and ziz zag around Derbyshire deliberately seeking out hills to test my rather under-strength thighs (anyone who has seen my thighs will appreciate this point).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Additionally I am doing 3 UK road races as part of my preparation, through May and June.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are the Fred Whitton Challenge, the Dragon Ride and the Northern Cyclone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Between the point of deciding to enter the Etape and the ride itself I will complete in excess of 5,000 kilometres of training. </span> Over 30% of the starters do not complete the ride, my overall aim is to reach the end on my bike not in a coach!</p>
<p>On the day of the Etape I hope I will be sustained by many things including my racing friends, crowds, lots of energy drinks and the determination to raise money for a good cause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The challenges I have described above have all been self chosen, but those my family, and in particular my Dad, faced in 2002 and beyond were not ones of choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Following loss of sight, the diagnosis of a brain tumor on his pituitary gland came and this in turn was followed by an operation to remove it and a few months in hospital to recover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a great relief seeing my dad make it through the operation, regain his sight and get back home. This however has been followed by confusion and concern at his vastly reduced energy levels & memory capacity and changes in behaviour. The Pituitary Foundation have been of great personal support over the years particularly to my Mam, on whom the major burden falls. They also provide great support to all the other families with the same needs.</p>
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<p>Please support my efforts to raise money for a cause that is very close to me and my family.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Mark</p>
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