Half-way there! Phase one of my idiocy is complete - I completed the Lakeland Loop 70mls in 5h 2m (coming 195th out of 604 riders). Phase 2 of the midlife idiocy is the Fred Whitton Challenge (112 mls), 'The Daddy' of the UK cycle sportif events. Both of these rides involve the purgatory of Hardknott Pass, which is the steepest road in Britain (at over 33% gradient), and climbs nearly 10,000 ft over the duration of the course.

This year, I've chosen to raise money for two charities; The Pituitary Foundation and the UCLH Charity, in memory of Brad and Leanne's little girl, Lindsey - they have chosen to raise funds to support the UCLH Neonatal Unit. Please feel free to donate to either/both of these two charities; they have professional and personal significance to me, respectively.

Thanks so much to all of my generous friends so far!