To celebrate reaching 75 last January, in September I plan to take on another cycling challenge - believe it or not it is five years since my ride across the Pyrenees!

La Route des Grandes Alpes (Raid Alpine)has become a legendary cycling challenge across the French Alps from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean. The route will include the climbing of 31 cols, with a total ascent of 59,000feet over a total distance of 470 miles. The best known cols include Col d'Iseran, the Cime de la Bonette and the Col du Galibier.This time I have chosen to raise funds for a local charity based in Stratford called Cyclists Fighting Cancer (CFC). It enables children and young people living with cancer across the UK to regain their physical fitness, strength and confidence by giving them new bikes, adapted trikes, tandems and other equipment and support. Physical activity is a key element in rehabilitation from treatments.

Completing this journey and taking part in Ride London 100 in July, will not only provide me with two great challenges and memorable experiences but also hopefully raise funds for a most deserving cause.

My training, which started in earnest over two months ago, is going well, although trying to find a hill in the Cotswolds that replicates the 9,190feet high Cime de la Bonette is somewhat difficult !

Very many thanks your support would be much appreciated.