In early 2015 I was persuaded against my better judgement to take part in a Forrester Boyd charity bike ride.  One of my main objections (my lack of ownership of a bike) was rectified at Easter, and so began my training programme. 

By early August I was ready and joined a host of colleagues in riding 107 miles on a journey including visits to all of our offices.  Although this was my longest ride ever it was fairly flat territory and we took our time.

During the ride I discovered that one of my fellow participants had completed the 170 miles Way of the Roses cycle route from Morecambe to Bridlington in one day.  I was both impressed that he had managed this and amazed that he had even considered it possible.  And then the insidious thought took root in my mind - maybe I could do it.  So I decided to give it a go.

At first I was reluctant to use the ride as a charity fundraiser simply because I had (and continue to have) serious doubts about my ability to complete the challenge, given both the distance and the discrepancy between training in the Lincolnshire Wolds and traversing the Pennines.  Then I got to thinking that there must be some good can come out of so much pain, and decided to come up with this proposition: either sponsor me to support my madness in taking this on (succeed or fail) or wait and see if I've made it to the end and then sponsor me.  Either way you get to support a fantastic cause.