Mum and son taking on the challenge of the Route Des Grandes Alpes on their bikes, unsupported, carrying everything they need including camping equipment.

We ( Arran age 13 and Libby, Arran’s Mum who doesn’t like to talk about her age but is definitely too old for this), are flying to Geneva on 15^th July with our bikes in boxes, assembling them at the airport and then riding 700km south with around 17000m of uphill to Nice. We will take on 16 alpine cols including the likes of the Cormet de Roseland, Col d’Iseran, Galibier, Izoard and Col de la Cayolle. We are hoping to swim in as many pools, rivers and lakes as we can en route and eat our body weights in pain au chocolat.

We have been doing lots of training – day and multi day rides to test the kit and ourselves but it’s going to be tough – riding an average of 1250m of uphill per day for 14 days, some climbs are 30km and it will be hot and then having to set up a camp each night, maintain bikes, eat and fit in some sleep. And swim. Decamping and doing it all again the next day. 

Why are we doing this? Well my lovely Mum died this year, she had dementia and loved ones are dealing with and being treated following cancer diagnoses. I am not getting any younger and Arran will, in a few years. be leaving the nest. Time for a bit of Carpe Diem. Hence the name seize_ the_fish.

We thought that others could benefit from our cycling suffering so we are raising money for two charities that support illnesses that have affected those we love -  Dementia UK and Cancer Research UK. It isn't possible to split fundraising between two charities and also get Gift Aid so I have created two fundraising pages and linked them. You can choose which to donate to. I would have liked to split the money 50/50.

I realise money is particularly tight right now but if you can sponsor us that would be really appreciated – and it will motivate us to keep turning those pedals up the 10% gradients on some of the endless climbs.

You can follow us and receive updates on our progress (and send us encouragement?) on Instagram at seize_the_fish.