Dear Friend, Following a lengthy sabatical after the 1979 boys Under 10 Egg & Spoon race I have decided after much deliberation to get back into comptetitve racing. 2008 is proving to be the year of the mid-life crisis and with an 'in for a penny, in for a pound' attitude I have signed up for not one but two thigh-bulking and will-testing events. APRIL 2008 - La Patrouille Des Glaciers (Glacier Patrol) is an international military ski-touring race open to civilian patrols. Our 3 man patrol will compete in the high alpine race over glaciers from Arolla to Verbier, Switzerland. The course is over 26km with vertical ascent of 2341 metres at altitudes between 1520 and 3160 metres. JULY 2008 - L'Etape du Tour. I shall be competing in stage 10 of the Tour de France Cycle Race covering 165 km from Pau to Hautacam in the French Pyrenees which will also require 2400 metres of vertical ascent over two rather large mountains ! Whilst my motivations may be questionable the beneficiary of my blood, sweat and tears most definitely is not. I shall be raising as much money as I can for the Parkinson's Disease Society www.parkinsons.org.uk who work tirelessly to find the cause and cure for Parkinsons disease and to improve the quality of life for people with Parkinsons and their carers. Parkinsons is a progressive neurological condition which affects an estimated 4 Million people worldwide and the cause holds a special personal significance as my father was a sufferer for many years. As I extend the financial begging bowl for this worthy cause I ask you to bear in mind that I have never asked for sponsorship for such an event before and in all likelihood will be looking to take another 20 year sabatical from competitive racing once completed so I need to make this fundraising effort count ! Many thanks in advance for your kindness and support. Jonny