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***UPDATE*** Well Act 1 of the challenge is now complete, l'etape du tour was as tough a mission as expected.  Galibier was a monster and the 21 hairpins of Alpe d'Huez was a true leg destroyer!  I completed the ride, however, in 7hrs 58mins...with definitely no pushing!!!  So it's on to challenge number 2, the Outlaw ironman on Sunday.  Legs are feeling good and I'm as fit and ready as I'll ever be, so fingers crossed.  Please keep donating and watch this space for further updates.... Thank you for visiting our justgiving page, raising money for a fabulous cancer hospital, the Bristol Urological Institute (<a href="http://www.bui.ac.uk/">http://www.bui.ac.uk/</a>). My name is Paul Roberts, an amateur triathlete who took up the sport last year. This year, in order to raise money for the fantastic BUI I am taking on two huge events during a crazy fortnight in July, with the assistance of some good friends. On 11th July I am competing in l'Etape du Tour, a Tour de France stage open to amateurs. l'Etape is one of the toughest stages of the Tour de France and these climbs are some of the steepest and longest ascents that the Alps has to offer. Every year 1000's of competitors fail to complete this most demanding of challenges. I am tackling this challenge with my brother Ian Roberts, a cyclist and triathlete. l'Etape is a 109km course, taking in the double peak climb of col du Telegraphe (1566m) and col du Galibier, which tops out at a massive 2556 metres. The ride finishes with the near mythical Alpe d'Huez, over 1000m of climbing through 21 historic hairpin bends. l'Etape will be one of the hardest challenges I have ever faced, yet a fortnight later on 24th July I am also competing in the Outlaw iron distance triathlon. Iron distance triathlons are the ultimate challenge to the triathlete, consisting of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and finishing with a full 26.2 mile marathon. For this challenge I am joined by Roy Jones and Dan Moore, two fellow triathletes who have competed in a number of events with me over the past year. Most people train all year to compete in just one of these events, yet I am seeking to do both in a fortnight. Why would I put myself through such a daunting prospect? Cancer. It's an emotive, and terrifying, word. A disease that, sadly, will touch most of us in one way or another. The BUI is a cancer clinic, based in Southmead Hospital, specialising in the treatment of and research into Urological cancers (those of the prostate, bladder, kidney and testes). The Clinic has garnered itself an international reputation as one of the foremost research organisations for urology, yet it still relies heavily on it's charitable status for funding. The staff at the BUI do an amazing job, helping guide patients, and their families, through some of the darkest days of their lives. Their skill and dedication means that the care on offer is amongst the best available. Sadly, however, in this age of austerity, the facilities provided are not always what the patient, or the staff, deserve. We are trying to raise £5,000 for a Patient Information Area. This seemingly small sum will make a huge difference to those fighting this terrible disease. The Patient Information Area will provide a bespoke facility where patients, and their families, can receive up to date, quality, written information. There will be internet access to allow the patients to link with the Macmillan website for additional support. This aesthetically pleasing section of the clinic will be somewhere that Clinical Nurse Specialists and trained volunteers will be available to assist and support the patients, and their families, in accessing the information they need in coming to terms with their diagnosis, prognosis and treatment options. Such a simple concept but one that will mean that the support offered to patients in this bleak time is of as high a quality as the care and treatment. Just £5000 more is all that is needed to make all this a reality. Please support us in trying to raise as much money as possible for this worthwhile and deserving charity. Please donate whatever you can spare and help us to help those that will be helping people deal with some of the most traumatic times of their lives. Follow our progress through the exhausting training regime and the events leading up to this epic fortnight on twitter @roughwaters99. Thankyou. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity. So please dig deep and donate now.

From l'etape to the Outlaw

From l'etape to the Outlaw

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