Cycle 300 miles, in three countries, to three capitals – London, Amsterdam and Brussels.  Four days in the saddle, taking in the rolling countryside of Essex, the plains of Holland and the sleepy lanes of Belgium.

We both have big birthdays coming up in 2015 and with Laura's persistent list making and target setting antics encouraged James to take on a challenge.  Being a cocky, upstart of a daughter; she suggested this cycle ride and offered to do it too - never thinking her dearest father would actually get past considering it.

He has more than done that.  He's started training.  He's putting a lot of time and effort into getting fit enough.

Laura, on the other hand feels queasy after 5 miles and is quite angry about the whole thing.  This makes trekking in the Sahara look like a walk in the park.

There isn't much time for two people who have never really ridden like this and in all honesty - are hideously unfit - to get good enough to ride for 55 to 85 miles a day.

But driven by the thought that we could raise a significant amount of money (bets will also be accepted for who crashes first) for a worthy cause helping people in the poorest parts of the world to help themselves out of poverty, and pure stubbornness - we're going for it. 

Please encourage us by donating all you can.  This is going to be an uphill struggle right to the end!