Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

During 2012 my aim was to do one "Big Ride" a month and I completed the last Sportive of the year after taking part in the Exmoor Beast on 28th October. I have cycled 1,800 miles either training for or taking part in charity sportiive rides during 2012.

1.The Shakespeare SPRING 100 Sportive on Sunday 1st April (for Macmillan) ~ 100km around South Warwickshire and the Cotswolds - a cold day but stayed dry and finished the course in 4.5 hours so happy with that one!

2. The Exmoor Beauty on 22nd April (for One More Day) ~ started at sea level in Mineahead and then over 7,000 ft of climbing across Exmoor peaking on Dunkery Beacon (1,500ft) followed by an exhilarating descent into Minehead~ the weather turned the "Beauty" into the "Beast" with continuous rain turning to hail and 20mph head winds on the moor ~ glad to survive the 69 miles in 6 hours!!!

3. The MacRide Tour 2012 (for Macmillan) which started on Saturday 5th and and completed on Sunday 6th May ~ managed to complete the 100 miles route in the "1st Three" crossing the line by 1:30 pm on Sunday after pedalling for 8.5 hours over 2 days from Windsor to Stratford upon Avon

4. The Wheel Heroes on 27th May (for Cyclists Fighting Cancer)...which I finished in a personal best for 100k in 3:56 hrs averaging 16mph!!! Feeling Good!

5. The Edgehill Cyclosportive on 17th June "Fathers Day"...a shorter ride of 40 miles in 2:15 hrs ave 16.8 mph (getting quicker!), followed by burgers, sausages, jackets, beans and cheese provided by the generous villagers of Radway...thanks folks!!

6.The Exmoor Explorer "off road" on 5th August and after falling and finding out later in A&E that I had a badly lacerated elbow and a fractured thumb I finished the gruelling 25 miles in 5:26

7. The Great Shakespeare Ride (for Shakespeare Hospice) on 12th August ~ where it all began in 2011 ~ pleased to say I lopped 1:15 from last years time

8. Managed to fit in a small fun ride for NSPCC on 31st August which was 35 miles from Chorley to Blackpool,however the after race party lasted until 3am!!

9.The Autumn 100k (for Macmillan) on 9th September which I completed in 4:07

10. The Exmoor Beast on 28th October really lived up to its name and reputation and after cycling through rain, 20 mph head winds, temperatures around 2C and 6,400 feet of climbing (and descending 1:4 hills) I finised in 5:10, and sank a well earned tankard full of Exmoor Beast beer!

Thanks to everyone for your great support during 2012!

Paul