Hello & thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am taking part in the Etape du Tour on July 18th of this year to raise funds for the National Autistic Society. This  fantastic charity does so much for people with autism and their families and makes a positive difference to their lives.

The Etape is a 110 mile one day cycling event which takes place during the Tour de France and which follows the exact route of one of the stages of the 2010 Tour de France (the professionals will ride the same stage four days after we complete the route). 9,500 riders will start from the city of Pau to cycle three Category 1 mountains in the Pyrénées. Celebrating the hundredth anniversary of the Pyrenees's inclusion in the Tour the route takes in the tough climbs of the Col de Marie-Blanque and the Col de Soulor before a showpiece summit finish on the giant Col de Tourmalet, the highest road pass in the central Pyrenees. In total the ride takes in over 12,000 feet of tough climbing.

The following was taken from Cycling Weekly - the bible for serious cyclists! "The Tourmalet comes as a daunting prospect after many hours of tough riding. Abnormally long for a Pyrenean climb, its unwavering gradient and mentally draining straight sections will ensure that the legendary climb delivers a stern test to even the hardiest of professional cyclists. Psychologically, this climb is very tough to handle. The views get more impressive the higher the climb, that is if you can make the effort to notice amid the strain to reach the top. The final kilometre, a metaphorical raspberry-blown-in-the-face, is interminable, ramping up to a 14 per cent gradient". Up to 50% of those taking part will not finish.

I am a relatively fit 48 year old but cycling on this scale is something else! There have been many hours spent training but there is so much more to do - 18 lbs lost so far! There are still no signs of any bulging leg muscles but I live in eternal hope. Enough pasta and bananas to fuel a small country have been consumed and I have 'invested' in enough new cycling equipment, books, magazines, lotions and potions to open my own shop. I have learned to love lycra but have yet to go down the cyclists leg waxing route (although I would consider this for a significant sponsorship commitment!). So, if you see me out training please don't hide behind the nearest bush but instead shout a few words of encouragement, offer a sympathetic smile and consider throwing me another banana!

Thank you reading this and for any donation you care to make, it is very much appreciated.

Mike