So, I'm doing a crazy, mad thing. I'm riding the first 9 stages of the Giro D'Italia, just 48 hours ahead of the professionals

When: 4 -12 May 2023

How far: ±1,450km (average of 161km per day)

How high: ±20,000m (equivalent of climbing Everest more than twice)

Why: To fund 2,023 Toy Appeal Christmas sacks for underprivileged and vulnerable children in the UK (team total £50,575)

Team fundraising page: www.justgiving.com/team/giroditalia

If you’re interested in following my training and the event itself:

Insta: does.it.hurt.yet (www.bit.ly/Doesithurtyet)

Strava: www.bit.ly/JKStrava

As some of you know, I like riding my bike. So when I heard about a plan to ride the Giro D'Italia to raise money for the wonderful Toy Appeal, I couldn't help but sign up. But to paraphrase "Sign up in haste, repent at leisure..."

A small group of (possibly mentally unstable) cyclists has undertaken to ride all 21 stages of the Giro D'Italia just 48 hours ahead of the professional race.

For the unintiated, the Giro is one of the three Grand Tours of cycling (the others being Le Tour de France and Spain's Vuelta) and is considered by many to be the hardest. It's as if the Italian's looked at the madness of the Tour and said, "hold my beer."

The stats are mindblowing. 3,500km over 21 days climbing more than 51,300 metres. To put that in perspective, it's an average of 164km (100 miles) per day and equivalent to riding up Mount Everest 6 times and cycling from glorious Devon to Newfoundland (i.e. across the Atlantic).

I know when a challenge is too big for me, so rather than attempt all 21 stages, I have signed up to the first 9 stages which is 1,450km and 20,000 metres of climbing. So the equivalent of riding from Devon to Rome and a couple of times up Everest...

But why even attempt such a patently ridiculous challenge? Well, I love to ride my bike and I do love a stupid challenge (and it seemed like a good idea after a few bottles of wine at Christmas).

The more serious reason is far more important: the Toy Appeal, which believes every child deserves to experience the magic of Christmas. This remarkable charity works alongside social workers, schools, women’s refuges, food banks and drop-in centres to ensure some of the most vulnerable and underprivileged children in the UK have a red sack of presents to open on Christmas Day. Something many of us take for granted. For many families, these sacks bring joy and excitement to what are often unrelentingly tough lives.

As a team we are aiming to raise £50,575 - enough to provide 2,023 toy sacks (each one costing £25). Every sack contains a main present, a stocking filler, a board game/puzzle, arts & crafts items, a teddy, a ball/sports item and a couple of books.

All of the riders (9 doing all 21 stages and the rest joining for blocks) are funding everything themselves to ensure every single pound raised goes to The Toy Appeal.

I know this year times are tough but I (and the rest if the team) would be extremely grateful for any donations.

About the Toy Appeal

The Toy Appeal was started in 2013 by Chris & Dee Drake when they provided Christmas sacks to 500 children. To date, they have given over 42,000 Christmas sacks to disadvantaged children in the UK.

The Toy Appeal is run entirely by volunteers whose mission is to ensure all children have presents to open on Christmas morning and experience the magic of Christmas. Each child receives a red sack filled with 8 items suitable for their age. £25 will provide a toy sack for a child.