Having decided late last year that I wanted to do a cycling challenge I decided on the Mule Bretagne because not only was I excited by the charities they support but the route was perfect.

Having been to spinning classes a few times a week for years the training started off well.  Christmas (Santa aka Andy Parr) then brought me a fabulous road bike with lots of pairs of padded cycling bottoms and I was set up to get on the road.  My first attempt got me about 300 yards, involved 2 punctures and I fell off twice!  Not a good start.

Luckily my cycling journey has improved since - no more punctures and I've only fallen off another twice.

 It turns out that on spinning bikes you don't need to worry about putting your feet down when you stop.  On road bikes, when your feet are cleated into the pedals, you need to uncleat BEFORE stopping otherwise you fall (rather comically in a 'roadrunner' fashion) to one side when momentum ceases.  

A few bruises and some scratches on my beautiful new bike are the only current problems here but suffice it to say that I'm practicing stopping more than cycling........

Need to be up to 50 miles a week for training now.

Any financial support you can give to help make my bruises worthwhile will be greatly appreciated - please give generously.

25 March 2014 Update:

Only 11 weeks to go and I'm pleased to report that my tendency to fall off when stationary has fallen away - although I'm told that now is the dangerous time as I'll be becoming more comfortable with my bike and so now may even fall off while moving!  This sounds even more dangerous.

I'm increasing the cycling distances now as well and regularly do two back to back longer rides at the weekend, the first one about 20 miles and the second is now up to about 35 miles. 

I've discovered that the thing I like least is hills training as I try to do a focussed hills training ride at least once a week, only for about 45 minutes.  This involves riding up a hill for a certain time (either 3 or 5 minutes) turning round and cycling back down it to recover (!), and starting again.  I do this between 6 and 8 times in the session and am getting to know Petit Bot hill very well.  I've only attempted the Val des Terres once and had to get off to push, for the first and so far only time, on the last steep corner so getting up here without stopping is now a target.

Watch for my next update.......

27 May update

Well with just over two weeks to go, and with over 1200 miles cycled on the roads of Guernsey in training,  and thicker padded cycling shorts now purchased, I think I'm as ready as can be.

I'm pleased to report that the number of falls has continued to reduce substantially even though it's now perfectly normal for a 'short' training ride to last 2 hours and a 'long' one 4.  Between working and cycling the last few weeks have passed by in a blur of activity....

Looking forward to the ride itself and my next update will be either on the ride itself or on my return.

I'm humbled by all your support and delighted that my efforts will really make a difference for children in Guernsey with learning difficulties.

Good luck to us all!