It is a well know fact that the symptoms of a mid-life crisis can lead to bouts of rash decision making, economic irresponsibility on a par with the current Chancellor of the Exchequer, and delusions of one’s ability to still achieve feats of greatness (all the more odd given the lack of track record from when one was younger and more capable).

Thanks to school fees, a large mortgage, and a wife who is eminently more sensible than myself I have managed to avoid the purchase of a Porsche 911 resulting from my own struggles with this affliction. However, my impaired decision making has persuaded me that, despite nothing more than the odd bike ride with the kids around the park, I am in fact perfectly capable of cycling 450km in 5 days across and later this year.

A recent 40km ride around the (not renowned for its mountain stages) left me with few delusions of the challenge ahead, not to mention a sore backside. Quite how I am going to drag my overweight, under-fit body through the hot and humid South East Asian jungle I am not quite sure, although that may be the least of my worries given a recent news article noting that mosquitoes in Vietnam are becoming immune to anti-Malaria tablets and Dengue Fever is widespread in the region. An information pack from the ride organisers points out other cultural highlights such as the fact that Cambodia remains heavily affected by landmines and unexploded ordnance - needless to say that both from an ability and personal preservation perspective I shall not be leading the peloton! However, my expectation is that all these concerns will be dwarfed by the pain of sitting for 13 hours of return flight following 5 days in the saddle.

What attracted me to the event was the opportunity to travel through a fascinating part of the world (the ride starts in and ends at the Khmer temples of Angkor Wat) as well as the physical challenge. More importantly the ride is in aid of a very meaningful charity - REGAIN - which supports people who have been seriously injured playing sports, including rugby, riding, diving and cycling. Having played rugby for 25 years over an adventurous, if never quite illustrious, career that has take me to far flung places such as , , , , , and , I have managed to escape with little more than a broken nose, a few stitches and some painful hangovers.

However, there are many that have not been so lucky and have had to deal with the traumas of losing the use of their limbs due to serious sports injuries. REGAIN is the only charitable organisation dedicated solely to improving the independence of British men and women who have become tetraplegic as a result of sports injury. REGAIN provides support by purchasing equipment to help people paralysed in this way to lead more independent lives. The charity currently has requests for items such as computers and electric and sports wheelchairs totalling more than £250,000. It is hoped that Bike Vietnam and will raise at least £50,000 towards this target.

Now that I am involved with coaching rugby to young children I am very conscious of the risks involved in contact sports. I am therefore looking to support REGAIN by personally raising £3,500. I would be extremely grateful if you can help me achieve this goal by contributing to this highly worthwhile cause.

The ride is not until the first week in December (giving me some time to get fit!) but I have to submit any money I have raised by September 18th, so grateful if you can bear this date in mind.

Thank you in advance for your support and encouragement.

Mike