Well it seemed a good idea in the pub in the winter - a nice summer bike ride across England's green and pleasant land. A bit of fun and an opportunity to raise some money for a fantastic local charity, Hope House.

That's how a group of a dozen or so of us have found ourselves committed to completing the coast to coast cycle ride on the first weekend of July. The ride crosses England starting in Whitehaven and ending in Sunderland.

The total journey is close to 140 miles

To help us make this journey we have a great and wise back up team - they were the ones who looked at the map and saw that it would be hilly - ridiculously hilly! So it's a long way, we're all pretty old and it's a great cause - it must be worth a few quid.

And to add a bit more incentive, my employer, Brit Insurance, have promised to match all funds I raise up to £5000.

Cheers... Simon (and the rest of the boys)