5 July, 2008. We did it! See the map below and pictures at this link which plot the day: http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=avmjand.2000elg55&Uy=8890ul&Ux=0&localeid=en_GB 

At 5.30am on a dark, but clear and still morning, Bill set off from Vaison base camp. The first climb of 1,600 metres from Malaucene took 1hr.50. After a rapid descent reaching over 50mph in places, Bill met up with the back up team of Jennie and Jan at Bedouin for coffee and croissant at 8.30. The second climb, also of 1,600 metres again took 1hr.50. Meanwhile, at 9am, the Maypole crew of Matt, John and Pete set off from Sault for the 1,200 metre ascent. We met up at Tommie Simpson's memorial for the last and hardest section in the blazing heat.    

At about 2.00pm, Bill reached the top of Le Mont Ventoux for the third time, again in 1hr.50. John, Matt and Pete were right behind. John and Matt were by far the youngest bikers on the mountain that day. Respect to them. Cheers and congratulations greeted them from admiring well wishes on the final punishing bend, followed by presentations looking down on stunning scenery. And then the well deserved descent and a day of r&r in French rivers the next day. The back up crew of Jennie and Jan were amazing throughout and Pete even gained 10Euro sponsorship en route!

We reached the top. Vive le Velo and thank you for all your encouragement, interest and immense support. Hmmmmm. What next?  

Bill, Pete, Matt, John, Jennie and Jan

22 June: Thanks to many people's generosiy, the fundraising summit is in sight. Just need a final push to the top. The Maypole bike team of Matt, John and Pete are training hard. Check out the photos. Thanks to Mick at Langdales, Ben the Bike has recovered from surgery on his bottom bracket. So, we're all set to leave on 1 July and head for Le Mont Ventoux for the biggest bike challenge (and the most worthwhile) of my life. We'll be sending updates to the site of the climbs on the day itself; you can get them direct to your phone if you want by signing up to Twitter below.

4 June: 5 days in the Corbiere and Pyrenees, 315 miles and 8500m later + a swim in the Med. Note to self - get some new tyres and brake blocks!  

29 May: Thanks to loads of people’s incredible generosity, in 4 weeks we’ve reached over half way up the fundraising summit of £4500. But just like the final metres of the 4500 of le triple Ventoux on 6 July, I’m guessing the final £s will be the hardest.

With July closing in fast, a good weekly ride plus occasional 57 mile trips to work and back have been vital. And then there was the monster ride: my mate Graeme and I share the same birthday. His present for my 50^th? 250 miles in a day. Leaving Nottingham at 4am to York (104) and back via the Humber Bridge (130) and Horncastle (180), nipping round the ring road to hit 250, reaching home at 10.30 pm after 14 ½ hours in the saddle Never before attempted. Never again?

On 30 May, it’s off to the Pyrenees to find the elusive climbing legs. I am hoping climbing the equivalent of Everest in 5 days (nearly 9000 metres) will set me up for Le Triple Ventoux – half Everest in a day! 

While cycling up Le Mont Ventoux last year - a massive 2000 metre mountain in Provence in France and iconic in the world of cycling - I decided on a 50th birthday challenge this year: to ride up (and down) all three of its climbs in one day for the Maypole Centre in Birmingham. That's 4500 metres, or over half the height of Everest. Why Maypole? Well, there are of course many great projects working with young people. It's just that for me, the Maypole Centre represents all that is most wonderful and inspiring about young people and all that is best in youth work in supporting young people achieve their full potential. And inevitably, the young people and workers have got right behind the venture and five are coming out to support the ride. The aim is to raise £1 for every metre climbed. That’s £4500. Go on – give me a wonderful 50^th birthday present! Find out more about Maypole and sponsor me at www.justgiving.com/maypolecentre. Thank you.