After surprising myself and Emma last year by actually finishing in a half-decent time; I decided to register again for 120 kilometres of leg-withering climbs, white knuckle descents and bum-numbing French roads in Europe's biggest "sportiv" the "Ardechoise" (www.ardechoise.com/index_en.php5)or amateur cycle race to you and me in the foothills of the Southern French Alps. With a vertical rise of 2,100 metres it is to be endured rather than enjoyed. This year proved no exception with rain and a gusting wind chilling the rider to the core at the top of lengthy climbs and the wet roads proving an added hazard on the descents where the locals regularly top out at over 80 kph!

This is the first you hear from me as training did not exactly go to plan and if I had "blown up" on one of the climbs you would not have heard a peep from me - but I am pleased to report that I and Robin (Carr) completed in a very respectful time of sub 6 hrs (for a 'Fat Ginger' as I am called in the office) - much the same as last year except the conditions were far more challenging this year.

No great physical effort should go unmissed as an opportunity to raise money for a great cause - in this case St Wilfred's Hospice in Chichester. Since opening in 1987 they have cared for over 10,000 local people and at any one time care for around 210 people in the community (including, at one time, my Grandfather), offering support to their families and friends. All their much-needed services are provided free of charge,they are not a part of the NHS and rely on public support to raise 85% of our annual running costs of £5.1 million. So please do give generously - it's a great cause and your support would be greatly appreciated.

So in advance I thank you all for the sponsorship and look forward to having a beer and boring you with biking stories!!

Tom