The last couple of years has really highlighted for my family and I how vulnerable we all are and how amazing the NHS is when we need it. Even so, hospitals like Darent Valley still need outside funding from charities and the like to carry on providing and improving the care that they give us. 

This ride takes place exactly one year after I was in hospital for my esophagectomy operation and is in honour of my father who was also cared for by Valley Hospital. I will be riding his bike that he purchased back in 1949 with the money he made from working in an off licence as a youngster. He rode this bike while courting my mum and subsequently as they both cycled many miles together and their loved bloomed. 

In the mid to late seventies my dad handed this bike over to me and I rode many miles on it as a member of the West Kent RC with my close childhood friend Colin Ashcroft who is also doing this trip with me.

At around the age of 19, beer, cars and women (not necessarily in that order) took over from cycling for me and the bike ended back up in my mum and dad's loft - where it remained for the best part of 35 years until a few months ago......

To find out what happens next you can follow my Ride4Life blog here: https://www.shot-photography.com/grahame-s-ride4life-blog