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It's time for another cycle challenge. This time it's in the Himalayas. This will be the 6th cycle challenge I'll have taken part in raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support. Each one has been dedicated to someone with cancer. Over the years, I've known many people with cancer, some of whom have survived and sadly, some who have not. This time there are two people.

Firstly there's mum who died at the end of  July (one of the contributing factors being myeloma). 

Secondly there's my mate Graham who is  currently wandering around with a tumour in his liver and is undergoing treatment. Update:- Sadly Graham died on the 21st August

Rather than repeat info found elsewhere, more information on this challenge can be found at 

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/get-involved/fundraising-events/event-detail/291/indianhimalayancyclechallenge

Suffice to say I'm expecting it to be as tough and demanding as all the previous ones. Some people think these are just holidays, or a chance to see a foreign country and seem to forget the reason why we are doing the events which is to raise large amounts of money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

 Just finishing one of these challenges without feeling as if you are about to expire requires months of training. A typical cycling day is from 8am to 5pm and its not flat! Yes you do see the scenery ... as you're cycling through it.and you;re not staring at your front wheel cycling up a one in eight!  Yes you do see the locals ... when you have a water or meal stop somewhere. Sleeping accommodation is either rough camping or occasionally a basic hotel somewhere and then its back on your bike.

It has cost me £400 in registration fees to participate in this challenge. Normally, 67% of the monies raised go to Macmillan Cancer Support with the remainder paying for travel, food/accommodation and the essential support team,. T  Macmillan have a philosophy of purchasing meals from the local community thereby ensuring that they benefit from the challenge  passing through their area.This year, I'm paying the travel costs myself, so everything I raise goes directly to Macmillan.

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