In August 2015, my wife Rebecca half joking, asked me if I wanted to cycle from London to Paris with her. I assumed she was joking as apart from the odd intermission, I hadn't cycled anywhere for the best part of 25 years! 

Don;t get me wrong, I love sport, especially cycling, but generally that involves watching it as opposed to participating.

Towards the end of that month, we went to the Revolutions track cycling event at Derby velodrome. I was lucky enough to meet Laura Trott, a bit of a hero of mine. Laura Trott is a double Olympic Champion, 7 time World Champion, 10 time European Champion track cyclist. Trying to impress her a bit, I immediately blurted out "I'm cycling from London to Paris next year!"

That was it, I was committed to do it. Rebecca said that she would tell Laura if I didn't do it.

I made the first tentative steps on a borrowed bike - just a few miles at first, in September 2015. To further motivate myself, I purchased a new road bike in March this year, and have managed to get out training most weekends, plus a few commutes in between.

As time draws closer, the more people I have told what I am doing, partly to explain the hobbling around the office every Monday. The most common response is "Are you doing it for charity?" That was never the intention, it was just for 'fun', but it seems too good an opportunity to pass up to do something good, so here we are!

We start at the London Eye on Thursday 22nd September, getting to The Eiffel Tower on Sunday 25th September, 323 kilometres later.

The trip is self funded, with all of the money we raise going to the charity Mind.

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