At the end of September, I’m taking part in a 300-mile (478-km) ultra gravel bike race in Poland to become a "savage old man" – as my 12-year-old son requested a few months ago. The route begins on the northern shore of the largest lake in Poland, Śniardwy, continuing through a picturesque and characterful yet incredibly challenging route to Mikołajki.

The decision comes after recovering from a series of health issues stemming from pneumonia, which I contracted in August last year. My pneumonia led to around six months of coughing, resulting in seven fractured ribs, being barely able to walk, and losing most of my fitness that I worked so hard to build over the past 20 years. With walking as my only form of (light!) exercise until January this year, I’m excited to be back on my bike and continuing my passion.

Last year, we also acquired a new client at EDNX – Sheffield Children’s Hospital. While delivering one of their projects, for the first time in my life, I saw children who were clearly following chemotherapy treatment walking around the corridors. As a father of two kids who were both patients of this hospital in the past, I’d like to help and raise as much money as possible.

I will race alongside my younger brother, and we plan to complete the course in 24-30 hours – hopefully cycling through day and night.