As only few of you may know, I have been battling with chronic pain for a number of years following a mis-spent youth snow skiing for the UK. Like any competitive sport you are left with wear and tear, mine being intervertebral discs which have been subsequently removed and the bones fused - some many years ago, and others in more recent years.

However, I sadly have some long-term nerve damage but, as those who know me well, I never give up. I now have an embedded pain management system in my spine. Yes I am a cyborg! I still rely on a cocktail of meds to get me through the days and through the nights. So I have had to slow down a little in life, and for those who know me well they will know that’s not an easy thing for me to do!!!

I remember first being told I had ’lumbago’ many years ago, and thinking (after being left paralysed for a number of weeks in an Innsbruck clinic; no major fall or injury, it just happened one morning) that the doctors had all the answers. Little did I know ‘lumbago’ simply means back pain. It shows to me just how much we still have to do to truly understand our own bodies. It's amazing that we look to colonise other planets in a few years when we still have so much to learn about our own bodies.

I found ‘Flipping Pain’ as a group that didn’t see pain as an excuse to stop, but as a reason to understand and adapt. I’m extremely excited - and a little nervous - to be completing (along with both medical experts and some fellow pain suffers) circa 200 miles in 5 days (8th - 13th of May) around the hills and coastline from Darlington, through Whitby and back around to Durham. For me this is both a personal challenge - as I can only comfortably ride a full suspension MTB (due to pain) and it’s still no easy ride - but also a chance to show what can be done and meet others in similar circumstances.

As if this isn’t punishment enough, I’m also doing the London to Brighton bike ride on the 10th Sept (another gruelling 55 miles including the punishing Ditchling Beacon climb just before descending into Brighton). This is a something I did in my youth as a training ride, and now is proof I can still do it.

Please don’t get me wrong, I don’t want your sympathy. I WANT YOUR MONEY :)

I’m riding for two amazing causes and will be splitting the funds from both events. Firstly Spinal Research. If only we could better understand how it works I’m sure we can only continue to better help people in the future. I dearly wish no one else gets to hear they have ‘lumbago’ ever again. Secondly, Pain Concern - an amazing cause to help chronic long term suffers like myself.

Please dig deep, I know I will be during the rides :)

Greg