This challenge is born out of a renewed obsession with cycling and wanting to support The Alzheimer’s Society.

For those that know and those that don’t my Mum has Alzheimer’s. 

I haven't yet found words to adequately describe my experiences of this disease.  However through sadness, anger and laughing at moments when I probably shouldn’t, I have been able to rely on information and support of the Alzheimer’s Society.

To find out more about the fantastic work that the society does please have a look at their web site  http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/

Now for the moment of madness and my Alzheimer’s cycle challenge. 

My goal is to enter and complete the Etape du Tour 2011.

The Etape du Tour allows amateur riders to tackle a stage of the Tour De France under tournament conditions, usually in the mountains of the Alps or Pyrenees.  The Etape takes place in July and the riders get to ride the route a couple of days before the pro's arrive.

I have read quite a bit about this event and a little bit of training is well advised.... between 2000 and 3000 miles!!

A little bit more reading and I find that the longest ever Tour De France was competed in 1926 over a distance of 5,745km (3,570m). 

The culmination of this will be one day in July at the Etape du Tour 2011.

My  target is to raise a minimum of £5,745, £1 for every kilometer.   I would be grateful for any donation you are able to make to the Alzheimer’s Society on behalf of this challenge.

I will be updating my training and my challenge progress in 

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