Laura was our friend. Her life was cut short at the the young age of 24 by Sepsis. She was bonkers! There's no other word for it, Laura used to do things that most folk don't dare dream of doing in the name of charity. She was a true inspiration.

When she died I'd had 10 years away from cycling. Knee injuries and other ailments had taken their toll and I simply didn't have time for it any longer. Her passing made me have a proper shake up and inspired me to get pedalling again.

I'll never be as brave or as bonkers as Laura was but what the hell I'll give it a go and do what I can to raise some money to highlight and help conquer this awful disease.

I've cycled on the Isle of Wight. It's very hilly and very windy. It also has a well signposted round-the-island route of 65 miles in length. Every tourist guide promoting it says it's feasible to ride in one day ... if you are a fit, competent cyclist on a good, light multi-geared road bike.

I'm an unfit, overweight 53 year old bloke with some underlying medical issues and I'm going to be riding a 15 year old, much abused, heavy folding bicycle with 3 gears.

What could possibly go wrong?