I’m doing this ride because the waterways have shaped almost every part of my adult life.

For nearly 30 years, Kingsground Narrowboats has been building boats for the inland waterways. We are now approaching our 130th boat, which we intend to be our last new build as we begin a different chapter.

Cycling from Enslow Marina to Manchester, the place where I grew up and still think of as home, gives me time to reflect on that journey while discovering what lies between these two important places in my life.

But this ride is about more than me, and more than simply covering the miles. Along the way, I want to meet people, listen to their stories and ask them why the waterways matter to them. I’ll be sharing the journey and collecting their reasons for wanting our canals and rivers protected for the future.

I’m supporting the Inland Waterways Association because it works tirelessly to protect, restore and champion the waterways that so many of us live on, work on and love. I hope this ride raises some money but, just as importantly, I hope it starts conversations and encourages more people to recognise what we could lose if we don’t speak up for these extraordinary places.

To add to the adventure and the challenge of it, I’ll be riding on a Pashley Poppy. Some have jokes that I won’t make it to Pigeons lock… and they may be right, but I won’t know unless I try!