For those of you who know me, you will have to agree that I am not the greatest gift to sporting prowess. Michelin man himself would have beaten me in a race 2 years ago. This ride will simply be the ultimate physical and no doubt mental challenge of my life. For this (and for most wild, irrational ideas in the Wood household) I have my children to "thank"! Around 18 months ago, as I entered the second half of my century, I knew I wanted to do something "big" to cement the goal of shedding 21kg in weight but it was only when the pounds finally dropped off about 6 months ago that the crazy idea of a long distance ride began to infect my consciousness, galvanised by comments from the children to the effect that in all probability I would pile back on the lost weight within 2 years, as statistics amply demonstrated. So, having acquired a bike, this is my attempt, for once, to prove them wrong…….

I shall be undertaking a solo, self-funded, unassisted cycle ride, the length of the UK, of over 1000 miles, from June 5-19, riding an average 70-75 miles per day, through some of the hilliest parts of the UK. As I have not yet strung together 2 continuous days' cycling of 75 miles this ride will involve at least 14 Personal Bests! When I proudly told a cycling friend that I had hit 70 miles one Sunday, he replied rather too knowingly that I should be congratulated but that "I ain't seen nothing yet" until I had got up each morning, coaxed aching muscles into action and repeated the same every day over a fortnight. His level-headed advice has been the greatest motivation to not overdo the training too early!

Apparently, I shall be climbing the equivalent of over twice the height of Everest from sea level (lucky I cannot remember big numbers) and will require additional energy requirements during the fortnight equivalent to eating over 300 extra bananas with 150 fig rolls (cripes - where will they fit?). Figs and cycling? On reflection, perhaps I will give the figs a miss....

The charities I am supporting.

Frankly, as this ride is definitely not being been undertaken for fun, I need a HUGE incentive to get me there. To pile on the pressure, I have chosen 4 charities to support.

The charity on this page, Bumblebee Conservation Trust, is addressing an issue that has the potential to become as worrying as climate change. Bees contribute at least  £200m to the economy each year, principally as pollinators of essential foods on which we rely. Their numbers are reducing at an alarming rate and we need to understand urgently why this is the case. This charity is actively involved in researching the issue and raising the profile nationally and internationally. It has been a major voice in discussions over the last year. I hope to visit one of their research sites in Scotland during the ride and it would be REALLY good if I had some news to give them about levels of sponsorship!!

A BIG BIG THANKS in advance for any support you can offer. It would mean a lot to me personally and act as the best pain relief possible for my dodgy knee to know there are people out there willing me on………..