To show that it’s possible to return to an active life after heart surgery and to raise funds for the BHF, I wanted to set myself a difficult and meaningful personal challenge, so riding nearly 800 miles, mainly off road, and climbing 22,000m (2½ times the height of Everest) from Derbyshire to Cape Wrath on the north coast of Scotland over 18 days in June 2022 fits the bill.

I was 31 when a medical revealed I had exceptionally high cholesterol levels (a combined level of 12.7), and it has since been confirmed that this is hereditary.  Lifestyle and dietary changes did little to reduce my cholesterol levels, so I have been taking statins ever since.

Knowing that the risk of coronary heart disease later in life may be reduced through regular exercise and generally keeping fit, and as previous back surgery and knee problems precluded running and many other sports, I started cycling more, particularly enjoying mountain biking as it became popular in the 1990s. During the 2010s, each year I organised challenging week long mountain bike trips to remote areas in Scotland, Wales, and I also spent three weeks riding off-road in New Zealand. 

Early in 2021, at the age of 66, I noticed some pain in my chest at the start of my bike rides, but initially put this down to the effects of cycling in cold weather or to a chest infection. However, within a few weeks I started to also feel pain in my right arm while riding, so I contacted my GP, who referred me to the Gloucestershire NHS Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic.

Various tests followed, confirming a mild heart attack and angina, leading to an angiogram with the expectation of having stents fitted. However, the coronary heart disease was very severe, and I subsequently had a triple bypass operation in Bristol.

I was very impressed with the support I received from initial diagnosis, through to my operation and on to subsequent cardiac rehab, and so decided I wanted to do something to help fund cardiac research and to do what I can to raise awareness of heart health issues.

My simple message is:

• Get your cholesterol levels checked and take action to lower them if needed.
• Get fit or keep fit.
• Know the signs of angina or heart attack and act quickly if you notice them.
• Heart problems do not necessarily mean the end of an active lifestyle.

One of the benefits of regular moderate or vigorous activity is the development of the secondary (or collateral) blood vessels that supply the heart, which can make a real difference when coronary heart disease significantly blocks the main coronary arteries, so what might have been a major heart attack is reduced to a lesser event.

My thanks to all those at Gloucestershire NHS and the Bristol Heart Institute who diagnosed, supported and treated me. Also, thanks to Will and Tim who will join me for part of the ride, and to David from Wye MTB for bike servicing and advice on training and nutrition. Finally, my sincere thanks to all who donate to this good cause.

I will provide updates on the ride from when I start riding on the 2^nd June.

Thanks for visiting this page. The BHF has helped halve the number of people dying from heart and circulatory disease in the UK but sadly every day hundreds of people lose their lives. It's only thanks to support from people like us that the BHF can create new treatments and discover new cures. £24 could pay for two hours of research by an early career scientist, but every pound helps so please give what you can to help me hit my target. Thanks!