'Wrynose or Bust' is an event of my own creation, and my own personal challenge. It's a 100-mile cycle ride round the southern Lake District, including an excruciating haul to the top of the Wrynose Pass. Not much for a decent club cyclist, but I'm overweight, underfit and I hit 60 next year. And I'm not a decent club cyclist.

I'm doing this in part to raise money for ARC. I suffer from ankylosing spondylitis, an arthritis condition. Most people with the disease don't lose much time off work or suffer in the same way that you would with, say, rheumatoid arthritis, but it can still be nasty. When I was younger an infection triggered a chronic reaction that put me in hospital for three weeks and caused the doctors to worry that I might not walk again. I limped for a while and I still have relapses, but with help, hard work and good luck I've been OK.

By sponsoring me I hope we'll be able to help other people with the disease. Thanks for your support.