On 20th April 2013, a group of 5 disabled riders, will attempt to scale Cadair Idris, one of the tallest mountains in Snowdonia, using specially designed mountain bikes. The bikes, which are pedalled by hand rather than by foot, have especially low gears which will be essential on the steep and rocky upper slopes of the mountain.

During the 10-hour epic, called ‘Hand-Bikes at Dawn’ the riders will be assisted by a team of professional Mountain Bike Leaders and climbing specialists who will help them negotiate the difficult stone chutes approaching the summit, and a team of mountain experts will form a guard of honour for the rapid return down the mountain.

When I heard about the hand-bike challenge last year, I was keen to be involved from the start. I did a training course with the organisers which involved riding a range of adaptive bikes including the hand-cycles. Having spent a short amount of time using my arms for propulsion, I have every respect for what these guys are taking on! I have ridden with some members of the team on the technical trails at Coed Y Brenin and it is amazing what they can achieve. Watching them would seriously inspire anyone!

I am really proud to be be part of this amazing team! I will be accompanying one of the hand bike riders to the summit (hopefully!), and even on my own bike that will be a pretty good challenge.

Any money donated will be split between Mawddach Rotary Club (10%), Challenge your Boundaries adaptive MTB project (30%), Aberdyfi Search and Rescue Team (30%), and ‘Walking with the Wounded’; a project assisting injured service personnel (30%).These are all really deserving causes so please make my day and give a quid or two :-)

Thank you x