At the end of this month, I am intending to cycle up one of the biggest alpine passes regularly featured in the Tour de France,  the Col du Galibier.

The Galibier is generally regarded as one of the toughest climbs on the Tour and this sort of thing is usually the preserve of ‘serious’cyclists, with associated Chris Froome-type physiques.  As you can see from the recent training photos that's not something I can be accused of....  

Although starting out as a ‘recreational’ challenge,  this changed just after New Year when a close friend, Denise,  was diagnosed with cervical cancer and has since spent a difficult and trying 6 months undergoing treatment.  However on 30th July, following tests, she received the great news that the cancer was responding very well to the course of chemo-  and radiotherapy, although this is early days yet. 

During her treatment, Denise was given excellent advice, support and assistance by the MacMillan Cancer Support nurses and in order to show appreciation for this it seemed appropriate to use the Galibier climb to raise funds for this fantastic organisation.  I say appropriate because, along with her husband Tony, Denise would have been one of the cyclists tackling the Galibier with me this year.

Having reccy’d the climb on a trip through France by motorcycle back in June I can confirm that it’s a real monster and that there will be ample pain extracted per pound!

I’ll be doing this as part of my annual leave and all costs associated with this challenge will be entirely covered by me.   Please donate if you can.  

Many thanks