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On Sunday 30th June 2013, I am going to join 9,000 other cyclists from around the world to take on the challenge that is the Maratona dles Dolomites.

The Maratona is to Italy and cycling what the Marathon is to London and runners. Now in it's 27th year, the Maratona is one of the legendary challenges in the world of amateur cycling. In one day, and over 140km, I will take on 8 consecutive climbs of Dolomite mountain passes. I will climb (and descend) a total of 4,300metres - that's almost half the height of Mount Everest! The highlight (?) of the event is Passo Giau. A regular feature in the Giro d'Italia, the Giau is 10km of unending climb at an average gradient of 10%.

Copy and paste this link into your browser for a preview of what's involved:

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/galleries/videos/538566/video-maratona-dles-dolomites.html

For those that know me, you will know that I have become something of a cycling nut. You'll also know that I successfully completed Land's End to John O'Groats last year.

But this is something altogether new! There are no flat sections in the Maratona - there's only up or down. Every climb is steeper than Box Hill and each one is more than 5km long. I'll be doing well to finish in under 7hrs 30mins. When you're enjoying your Sunday in the garden, think of me - I'll be struggling up one of those climbs!

Take a look at the photographs I have attached to this page if you want a visual guide to what's in store for me!

Help me make it through the event by donating to Teenage Cancer Trust. I will get through this challenge by knowing that your donation will make a difference to a young person's life . On many occassions on the Land's End to John O'Groats ride I would think of how much suffering the people that are helped by charities go through. It put my pain and suffering into context and reminded me of Rule #5 (for the uninitiated, Rule #5 is one of the defining rules of Cycling - it says no more than "Harden the F*@k Up" and is a reminder that whining and quitting is not acceptable).

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.