I was just sat eating my breakfast when I saw an advert for the Alzheimer’s Society. I am relieved to say that nobody in my family has to date been affected by dementia; cancer, yes, heart disease, yes, but not dementia. And that's something I am grateful for - it was always something of comfort that when we lost my dad and grandparents, they were still themselves until the end. I have seen through friends whose parents and grandparents have suffered from dementia how heartbreaking it can be. So I thought if me and my dad's old bike ("Bouncing Bertha") could do something to help, I will.

But it's not going to be easy - until lockdown, I'd ridden a bike once in seven years. Both me and Bertha are rather heavy and may have seen better days. And when I cycled 34 miles last month to work and back, it nearly put my lights out - and now I've got to go that far a few times a week (with some shorter rides in between). And hills - Rossendale and the surrounding area are bit up and down (our house is nearly 1000 feet above sea level apparently so every bit of downhill has the same amount of up!)

And why 500 miles? Why not 100 or 250? To use the key term from work, it's a bit of "stretch and challenge".

So, wish me luck...