It's been 7 years since I last attempted the Fred Whitton. This is an infamous Lakeland cycle challenge of 114 miles and over 9,800ft in a single day taking on some of the steepest roads in England and seven passes of the Lake District. It's a truly terrifying route. The ride will take place on Sunday 19 September.

This year, Cold Dark North is sponsoring the "pain face" prize category at the Struggle Hill Climb too. That's some serious athletes riding up The Struggle from Ambleside (5km at about 8-10% *average*). Then there will be me, riding it for comedy pain value. This one is a race and will take place on the morning of Sunday 26 September.

I'll be looking to raise £5 for every mile of the Fred route to support the Great North Air Ambulance. I've seen first hand how much they need charitable donations to continue to serve our beautiful but savage countryside. Help me support them, please!

The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) rescues hundreds of severely injured or ill patients every year throughout the North East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria. Their doctor-led critical care teams deliver life-saving treatments at the scene of the incident whether that is on a fell top, a roadside or in a city centre. The charity responded to 1,640 call outs last year* alone, via their helicopter and emergency response vehicles, where they performed treatments and procedures which can mean the difference between life or death.

I hope none of us ever need their help. But if any of us do, we'll need them there!