This July, I will be cycling almost 1000 miles over 14 days (average of 70 miles a day) from Land's End to John O'Groats. This is a massive undertaking, especially given that 4 years ago I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease (an inflammatory bowel disease with no cure) and at the time went through a massive flare, losing 2 stone that I certainly didn't have to lose and becoming so weak that I was at a point where walking the length of Pitlochry High Street was beyond my capabilities. It has taken a lot of medication (some of which worked for a while and some which didn't work at all) to get me to a point where I feel relatively normal again. 

Crisis is a  charity that has been close to my heart for around 15 years now. I started volunteering with Crisis in 2002. Since then, I have spent around 80 days volunteering over the Christmas period for them. They do fantastic work for those people who for whatever reason find themselves homeless and lonely, not just throughout the Christmas period but throughout the year. Simply living is a challenge for people who are on the streets. Crisis gives homeless people hope, support, skills and inspiration to get their lives back on track and find homes and jobs and a meaning to life again. 

My training started last August and in that time, I have cycled in all weathers: heavy rain, strong wind, snow, ice, fog, hail, up to 200 miles a week and taken part in several Audax events, charity events and sportives.  Not all the training has been easy, and there have been times when I have wondered if I am even capable of such a feat, not least whether I'll be able to find any bikepacking equipment big enough to carry all the drugs I need to take with me! LOL. The first part of my cycle will be unsupported, which means I will be carrying everything I need for 9 days on my bike. The final 5 days I will have support, but this takes me through some of the wildest terrain Scotland has to offer, and will test my endurance skills to their maximum, having already completed 9 days in the saddle. 

Please help support my epic cycle and the causes I have chosen to do it for. Thanks.