Many will know that in 2014 I cycled from Boston to New York in aid of Velindre Cancer Centre. Little did I know when I signed up how much hard work it would be, how many hours of training I would need to put in and how much pain cycling all those miles would be. 

But what I also didn't know is how much that trip would come to mean to me, that I would meet some of the best people in the world during my fundraising efforts and on the ride and that I would be part of a camaraderie that I can't really put into words. And what's most important - little did I realise that the event would go on to raise more than half a million pounds for Velindre - a place that is so key in our battle in treating and beating cancer.

Unfortunately I am well aware of the devastation cancer causes. I have known far too many people who have had to deal with a diagnosis in some form or another. It's a vile illness that results in your own body having to fight against itself. If this isn't horrific enough, the treatment you have to go through to beat it comes with its own grueling side effects.

I was with my mum for every step as we went through the highs and lows cancer brings - the devastation of diagnosis, the hope that comes with treatment, the joy of being cured, and the greater devastation in hearing that it had returned and was no longer curable. 

I wish we had of had a centre like Velindre, which not only provides the most amazing care to cancer patients in Wales, but is conducting vital research in order to improve treatments, lessen side effects and ultimately beat the disease. 

The good news is that survival rates are going up and the outlook for a cancer diagnosis is much better than it was some years ago. But there is still a lot of work to do. It is this that kept me going when things got really hard on the way to New York and it is this that led me to agree to do the next bike ride in the Rockies - cycling more than 400km through one of the world's most famous mountain ranges. 

I am terrified and excited in equal measure, but I know that ultimately this is about doing what I can to play a tiny role in the fight against cancer. I experienced so much generosity last time around, and I am really hopeful it'll be the same this time. 

Just as a side note - I am using some of my mum's money (I see it as her donation towards the ride) and am saving up to cover my costs , so the money you donate will go to Velindre. 

Thank you so much for all your support.

Julia xx