Marking my 50^th year, I wanted to combine my love of cycling and take on something I know I’ll  remember forever! With support from the Air Ambulance Service, our local Walthew House charity and tandem pilots Adam Walker and George Mumford.  I’m going to be tandem cycling 3 times up one of the worlds most iconic climbs... Mont Ventoux!

Its also my own personal tribute to Tom Simpson, where this year is the 50^th anniversary of his tragic and untimely death on the ascent of Mont Ventoux, Jul 13^th 1967.

>>> Tom Simpson: A life in pictures >>>

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/tom-simpson-life-pictures-146298

The first British rider to wear the Tour de France  yellow jersey, Tom Simpson would have turned 79 on November 30, 2016

 Thankfully, in spite of being blind, the support from Walthew House in providing tandems has made it possible for me to fully enjoy a love of cycling, and furthermore with the great support from volunteer pilots, George Mumford and Adam Walker, make it possible for me to attempt taking on challenges like this.

As an extra challenge, we're not just climbing Mont Ventoux once, but with Adam piloting, cycling all 3 versions of the ascent in less than 24 hours, and so  qualify for the exclusive Club de Cingles du Mont Ventoux, which recognises the achievement  of riders from around the globe who complete the challenge  - no idea how many of these did it on a tandem though!!

The 137km total route we're taking on includes over 4,400 metres of climbing in notoriously  unpredictable conditions, where temperatures can  reach 40c and wind speeds of 200 mph have been recorded.

As part of the training leading up to this Ultimate Challenge, George is piloting as we tandem the Tour de Yorkshire 100Km stage 3 sportif Apr 30th, and  the Eroica Britannia 160Km June 18th event, together over another 5000m of climbing.

All the funds raised will go to support the Childrens Air Ambulance Service!!, and of course keep Adam, George and myself motivated to conquer this epic challenge.

If you're in the UK, you can simply donate £5 for example by texting ULTV50 £5 to 70070
-supporting this Ultimate Ventoux 50th year challenge for T.Simpson  and my own 50th year.
Epilog: On YouTube you can view a video of our venture at:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzjL85tyqDA

We also drew winning raffle tickets Blue 240 and Red 618 for the signed football shirts!  Winners contact us!