As the longest serving member of the Cycling UK staff team I’ve witnessed first hand and played a significant part in delivering positive changes to thousands of people’s lives through cycling.

From creating the Community Cycle Club and Big Bike Revival programmes that have supported the most vulnerable and excluded societies to access the fun and freedom bikes can bring to training countless people to lead and support others on and off road, through to delivering long distance bike packing routes showcasing the UK as a world class riding destination, my 16 years has rewarded me beyond belief, so now it’s time to help give something back.

On Sunday 1st November I’ll be riding a 1891 solid tyre safety bike from Hyde Park in London to Marine Drive in Brighton.

The route is 62miles/100 kilometres and incorporates the North and South Downs. In keeping with the theme of the bicycle, I’ll be riding in full period clothing, including tweed plus fours and a waistcoat!

The ride and challenge is part of a wider event, The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, a celebration of the emancipation of the motorcar but now accepts inclusion of pre 1905 motorbikes and cycles as part of the event.