This June I will be cycling 1,000 miles through Spain, from Vigo on the north west coast to Almunecar on the Costa del Sol, via Madrid and Cadiz. The route is that taken by Laurie Lee, author of Cider with Rosie, when he made the journey on foot in 1935/36. He described it in As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning, which has long been one of my favourite books.

This is my 60th birthday ride, and I've decided to mark the occasion by raising money for my local air ambulance service. They once airlifted me to hospital when I came off my bike - I've felt guilty ever since as I was discharged without even being kept overnight! The cost of a call-out is £1700, which is what I'm looking to raise - I'll make up any shortfall myself, so that I can ensure my 'debt' is paid.

Despite the 'Pain in Spain' title, this ride is really just a longish tour, setting off from Vigo on 3 June and hopefully arriving in Almunecar three weeks later. Please help by donating whatever you can afford to keep the air ambulance aloft - after all, you never know when you might need it yourself...

And, just to be clear, I'm paying for the whole of this solo, unsupported trip myself, so rest assured that every penny you donate will go to the Air Ambulance Service.

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