To put last year's swim training to good use, this year's challenge involves... cycling. Obvs. 780km/460 miles across Laos to be precise. 9 days of cycling, 90km a day, a lot more uphill than down. Padded shorts a must. Given I only bought my bike in Feb, training has mostly involved cycling around Richmond Park with my challenge partner in crime Fiona and trying to keep up with (and not swear at) various friends/friends' husbands around Box Hill, Brighton and Dartmoor (thanks guys!).

As well as the personal challenge, I'm raising money for Access Sport. They help transform the lives of kids through sport, including tackling social exclusion, inactivity and obesity in disadvantaged areas of London and the UK. Thanks vm x