This summer I am cycling from Hampton Court to the Eiffel Tower . Over three days we will cover the 300+ land miles between London and Paris, with a small break enjoying the luxury of a cross-channel ferry. 

For family reasons, I am riding on behalf of Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, helping to fund a new trials project. All the money we raise will go towards the Trials Acceleration Programme, a real advancement in the battle to beat blood cancers.

At present only 6% of the 30,000 a year who are diagnosed with a blood cancer are given access to clinical trials. Thanks to TAP we will be able to link 13 centres around the country, meaning patients have access to cutting edge treatments at their local hospital, more quickly. The programme will make a massive difference to all those suffering with a blood cancer, it’s a big step.

Whilst I am not the first European to plan a dash to Paris, I may be more aware of some of the challenges:

1. Turns out the route is not flat…in fact far from it. Together with the expected 300 miles of horizontal distance, we will have the added joy of around one and a half miles straight up. Before you ask, no the corresponding drop does not offset this!

2. Hope the guy in front doesn’t fall. Whilst for the idle observer, the only amusing cycling moment is the absent minded driver felling a cyclist and creating a domino effect on following riders, I have found it to be less amusing to be either the lead or following rider in such cases

3. Cycling seats are designed by sadists. If you have never sat on a racing bike seat, don’t worry: find your nearest barbed wire fence, straddle it and bounce up and down for 5 hours. It’s a pretty good proxy

4. No one likes a MAMIL. Despite what my younger work colleagues think, I am not yet middle aged. In fact I ascribe my continued childish behaviour to a concerted effort in staving off middle age. However at the end of the day no one likes to be even close to a Middle Aged Man in Lycra

5. Energy bars are not my friend. During a ride from London to North West Scotland, the bike computer would regularly point out a daily calorie consumption of 9000/day. Experience also tells me that it is more efficient to consume these calories in the form high energy supplements rather than fish and chips or whatever the French may argue is comparable. After three days of energy bars it has only been malaria that has had a similar effect on my stomach

So if you are not the charitable kind perhaps the sadist in you will take a punt to see whether I have more of a chance in reaching my destination than the Kaiser did.

Whatever your rationale for giving it will be incredibly appreciated by both myself, the charity and most of all the patients.