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!