The past few months have revealed a whole new world for me of padded shorts, cleats and big chainrings as I’ve been in training for the Ride London-Surrey 100 cycling event which takes place on Sunday 10th August.  I shall be one of 24,000 riders setting off from the Olympic Park, heading out through London to Surrey, doing a bit of climbing in the Surrey Hills before heading for home and finishing (hopefully!) on the Mall several hours and 100 miles later.  I’m neither an experienced nor a fast cyclist so the physical challenge for me is pretty huge.  On the positive side the training's gone as well as I'd hoped, I know I can make it over the hills and I know that I have the will to see it through to the finishing line.  Whether I can do all these things together within the 8.5 hour time limit remains to be seen!  On the negative side, well, frankly I’m terrified.  But my reason for taking on this challenge has always been far stronger than any thoughts about giving up on it because it's a bit big and scarey.

I’m riding on Sunday for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) in memory of Joe Horkan.  Joe’s the son of friends and he died, age 12, of a cardiac arrest while out on a family walk at Christmas 2012.  CRY has been supporting the Horkan family since then and my efforts are dedicated to them and to Joe.  Every week in the UK, 12 apparently fit and healthy young people under 35 will die from undiagnosed cardiac conditions which if found in time would have been treatable.  CRY is a relatively small charity working to significantly reduce this number, providing cardiac screening for young people, counselling and support for those whose lives have fortunately be saved through diagnosis, as well as counselling and support for families where, tragically, diagnosis has come too late.  Any support you can give to CRY will be much appreciated.