Losing my Granddad to a sudden cardiac arrest in 2017 wasn't just losing a loved one; it felt like I lost a part of myself. I always considered myself to be my Granddads right hand man and favourite grandson (dont tell my Brothers), so death felt like a blow straight to my heart.

For a long time after that day the hole in my heart grew and demanded to be filled. Not with memories of helping my Granddad in the garden but for instant comfort, something tangible. Food become my crutch, something I used to numb the ache of his absence. Every midnight snack run to the cookie jar or Greggs sausage roll consumed in an attempt to feel full again.

But I knew I couldn't stay there, and realised that what once brought me comfort began to feel less like a hug and more like another burden. So over the past few years I have worked on myself to honour his memory and grow into the man I know he wanted me to be.

This ride it's not just for charity, though the British Heart Foundations work is vital to help and prevent what happened to my Granddad happening to others, it's also one for me. Its proof of the journey of personal recovery and healing I have gone on since 2017.

Every training ride or gym session I do, every kilometer I conquer in the lead up to and on the day, isnt just a physical challenge. Its a testament to becoming myself again and a way to honor my Granddad not only through memories. The sweat, the burning muscles – it’s all part of filling that empty space in myself with purpose, resilience, and a renewed sense of self.

By supporting me, you'll be helping the British Heart Foundation fund their vital, life-saving research. You'll also be helping me cross that finish line !

Thank you in advance for helping me turn this challenging ride into a powerful tribute and a personal victory for me. This one’s for Savage Dave – and for every beat of hope we can help create.