Hi,

My name is Brett. I am a 40 year old fella from Yorkshire.  I have been mountain biking for around almost 3 years now. I suffer from depression and anxiety and when I started biking I was almost 18 stone. I had to force myself to get out and ride but I did it and in those 3 years I have lost 4 1/2 stone and grown to love riding and reguarly compete in Marathon MTB events.

Last year, by chance, I ended up doing the Coast 2 Coast for charity and loved it so this year I wanted to do something again. A chance for my biking to benefit not only me but others.

The Charity:

I chose to raise money for Tommy's, a charity that helps prevent miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth because it's a cause close to my heart.

Anyone that has suffered the loss of a baby will know the hurt it causes. Sadly my wife and I suffered 4 miscarriages. It was a traumatic time. Happily we now have 3 beautiful (and testing!!) children but the lost ones are always still in your heart. If I can, even in a small way help prevent others suffering the same then it has been a worthwhile endeavour.

The Challenge:

My aim is to attempt to cycle the West Highland Way in a single day.

The West Highland Way is a 96 mile walking route from Milngavie (near Glasgow) to Fort William made up of ancient drovers, coaching and military roads that pass through some of the most desolate and beautiful parts of Scotland. The Way is primarily a walking route though bikes are allowed access. Despite this it is a very tough route. Rocky steep climbs and descents, rough terrain and several miles of simply carrying your bike over trecherous boulders. There is also over 10,000 feet of climbing. It's a tough task and one thats usually ridden in 3 days.

I will attempt to do it solo, aiming for around 16 hours non-stop but it could be longer, especially if the weather is not kind.

It is a big ask both physically and mentally. 96 miles on a mountain bike is always tough. The terrain will be brutal and there is a lot of climbing (the equivilent of climbing more than a third of the way up Everest!) It's a long time in the saddle. While I reguarly ride events that are 5, 6 or 7 hours long this is another level, my previous longest being 11 hours.

It's not going to be easy physically, mentally will be even tougher, especially with my mental frailties I need to overcome.

I am confident I can do this.

I will attempt the ride on the 24th August