Update...I did it! Wow, what an experience, I loved (almost) every minute. I was aiming for 12 hours, but I was surprised to cross the line in 10:25, I finished 2233rd overall. The feeling on the home straight with 100's of people cheering you on is difficult to describe. Thank you all so much, your support got me through the tough times and the money could save someone’s life.

About eight months ago at the end of an evening of food and wine one of my friends suggested we entered the Etape Du Tour. I had no idea what it was, but Jonny explained it was simply an open stage of the Tour De France, “how hard can it be” I thought. The combination of my naivety and the effects of the alcohol were lethal…I agreed instantly.

A deal is a deal, I spent the next few days booking the flights, sorting out accommodation and entry……..then I bought a bike.

For those of you who, like me until recently, aren’t familiar with the Etape: Every year the public are given the chance to ride a stage of the Tour De France a few days before the professionals take it on. It is done in full race conditions with closed roads, food stops and support vehicles; traditionally it is a mountain stage and this year is no different. The stage I am attempting is 201KM (about 125 miles) riding over four mountains with 5000M of height gain over the course. To make it really interesting there is also a time limit, if you drop below the minimum required pace you are removed from the course. All this is likely to be done in 35+ Degrees C, except at the peaks where hail stones are not uncommon! Of the 10,000 people who start at least 2000 will not finish.

Training has seen me lose 2 stone, make myself sick, fit many new inner tubes and has given me an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Peak District. Will it be enough…..I hope so.

We all have a charity that means something to us, having followed the battle a close family friend is having with Leukaemia I have seen how important a bone marrow transplant can be. If someone can’t get a match from a close family member then Anthony Nolan may be their only chance. Any help is gratefully received. The trip is all paid for so all your donation will go straight to the charity.