Hi. Pull up a thin, uncompromisingly hard seat. For 24 hours.

Yes, I have signed up to do The Duchenne Dash, a punishing bike ride (it's not a race, OK?) from London to Paris in just 24 hours, which will see media titans, cycling heroes and the odd heavy fork in straining lycra take on this daunting challenge for an amazing cause.

We’re riding to help fund a treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy - a savage and currently incurable muscle-wasting disease that mainly affects boys and leads to paralysis and death by the early 20s in 100% of cases.

There is a great video on the charity and last year's ride in the gallery below, plus you can check out how we're getting on at the website - feel free to luxuriate in our outfits and just our pain generally...but remember, ours is only temporary. Please give generously and we WILL make a difference to Eli and countless others. Thanks so much - ilsx