In the past few weeks one of my best friends lost her husband, after a good fight, to cancer. Helen and their 3 year old daughter, Lottie, now live on with strong memories of Ade, who was just 38.

So on the 18th July I will be taking on a 105 mile stage of the Tour De France in the Pyrenees. The ride this year takes in 3 mountains over its course, running from Pau to the top of the Col du Tourmalet, via the Col du Marie Blanque and the Col du Soulor. Riding along with 9500 other cyclists the day plans to be epic, tiring and ultimately, I hope, inspiring.

The pictures show the profile of the course and the full horror of the Tourmalet!!

To add a little spice and value to the challenge this year if I get £200 raised by the 15th June I will have my legs waxed, by the beauty salon on the Pride of Bilbao, with proof published in our P&O Intercom magazine.

So don’t dither, think of the extra pain you can help inflict on me!!

UPDATE - On the 23rd June my legs were stripped of their hair by Rachel and Laura on the Pride of Bilbao!

Just the mountains to go now!

Ifyou can spare any charitable money then I would be hugely grateful for your support.

Cheers

Neil