A few years ago I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. I had high blood pressure and weighed in excess of 26 stone. I had two little boys and thought I was in danger of not seeing them grow up. Then someone mentioned to my wife that the Hairy Bikers had just done a diet series on TV. I perhaps missed this because of the word diet! I was rarely unaware of a new cookery series! I went out and bought the book and, having tried many diets over the years and failed miserably (usually ending up heavier than I was to start with), I was surprised at how easy to follow their diet was. It is simply common sense but I felt I was getting a real plate of food and not really having to suffer (too much!).

The big thing though was their attempt to get on a bike. I started cycling to work which is a very short cycle of 2.5 miles but all uphill on the way home. I should say that I am 56 and had never done any exercise in my life prior to getting on the bike 3 years ago. I was amazed at how quickly things improved. It took me 45 minutes to cycle home the first time I did it and now I can do it in 13 minutes with a favourable wind! I lost 10 stone and got down to 16 stone. I was told that, if I was being checked for diabetes I would no longer be classed as diabetic and my blood pressure was normal.

As these things go, my weight started to creep back up with several periods away from home on work etc and I suddenly found myself back up to 18.5 stone. I decided that enough was enough and decided to get back on track. I have now got back to 17.5 and have decided to aim for LEJOG next July 2016 and am planning to do a number of other rides through the next twelve months starting with the Arran Circular in August and the Hadrian Way also in August. I will also do the Reivers Way, C2C and Way of the Roses en route to doing LEJOG.

Photo was before I started!