My new fundraising effort for the Motor Neurone Disease Association please read on ...

Before MND one of my favourite things to do was mountain biking. I did this with friends and my sons Nathan and Jake. We had some fun and crazy adventures like this one in the Frech alps

Earlier this year I went out with Jake and friend Richard and while I still had good balance and enjoyed the downhill sections, I discovered two things .. I didn't have the leg strength to pedal uphill and I couldn't pull the brakes - which is obviously important for mine and others' safety.

Friends Richard, Sasha and Tony all volunteer at Recyke Y'Bike and with the help of the charity's mechanics set out to create a bike that would allow me to continue enjoying cycling and keep me mobile as walking becomes more and more difficult. A new rear wheel allows braking by pedalling backwards, a long lever on the handlebars lets me change gears and a clip on battery gives me assistance to be able to ride up hills.The bike works great and after a few practice runs we decided to ride the Coast to Coast route something I last did in 2013 with my sons. I recognise that the 140 mile route will be challenging for me, but with Nathan, Jake, Richard, Sasha, Tony, Herm and Rob riding with me and Rachel and Alison as back up carrying ventilators and other equipment we have a fantastic team to give me the best chance of completing it.

We set off on 3rd October and hope to raise as much money for the Tyne and Wear MNDA as we can. Thank you so much in advance if you are able to support our fundraising effort.

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