Hello. Thanks for popping by. 

It's been a few years since I've asked you to dip into your pockets and sponsor me. To be honest my cycling exploits have been so enjoyable personally that it hasn't felt right! But I've been prompted to do so this year by the loss of friend and fellow cyclist Tim Sutton, who sadly lost his long fight against a rare form of bowel cancer a few months back. And as many of you already know, it wasn't so long ago that another good mate, Nuts, passed away after suffering with a brain tumour for many years. Tim and Nuts were both good people, and leave big holes in many lives.

I wanted to do something to mark their memories and raise some money for charity. One of the most memorable days I've had on the bike - and one in which both Tim and Nuts were centrally involved - was in 2010, when the final day of that year's Les Veloistes Gentils ride saw us tackle The Giant of Provence - the windy mountain - Mont Ventoux. 

Mont Ventoux is an amazing place. Legendary amongst cyclists it stands alone in the Provencal countryside, rising to nearly 2,000m high. It's a 20km+ climb, and once you pass through the forest on the lower slopes the road becomes incredibly exposed as you ride up through what's often been described as a moonscape. It can be very hot and, as one of Ventoux's many nicknames suggests, often incredibly windy. All in all, it's not an easy climb.

For many cyclists (an until a couple of weeks ago I was one of them) climbing Mont Ventoux once is ambition enough. But there's this thing called the Club des Cingles. You can join the Club des Cingles by cycling the three different routes up Mont Ventoux in the same day. 

So on Saturday July 12th that's what I'm going to do. And because I'm lucky enough to have some great mates, there'll be a little group of us to keep each other's spirits up. 

It's a pretty big challenge, and I'm sure it'll be painful, but it isn't fighting cancer, right?

Anything you can spare as a donation will be hugely appreciated.

Thanks,

Mark