My name's Christian Dransfield and, after being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2006, my outlook on life changed completely. I suddenly had to come to terms with being coupled with a not-so-silent passenger, a chronic relapsing-remitting disease, until a cure can be found. I changed career paths, recently finishing a degree in nursing, with the aim of training to be a doctor in future.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been infatuated with the Tour de France cycling competition. I’ve always watched in awe as the likes of Miguel Indurain and Lance Armstrong successfully fought fellow riders and imposing mountain stages to win. I secretly hoped that, one day, it would be me attacking those mountains! My Crohn's disease is currently active and I shall be cycling alone, but will still be making this dream a reality. The most important aim of this challenge will be to raise awareness and as much money possible for the National Association for Crohn's and Colitis.

I have decided to cycle 5 of, arguably, the toughest ever mountain stages of the Tour de France, stretching along over 800km of unclassified climbs. This will include such daunting mountain climbs as the Col du Tourmalet, Col du Galibier, Alpe-D'huez, and Mont Ventoux. The challenge will take place at the end of June and into July, at the same time as the Tour de France competition. I shall be riding in aid of the National Association for Crohn’s and Colitis. All donations, no-matter how small, will be much appreciated, so let’s push toward finding a cure for this, often debilitating, disease!