So there you go. On Saturday 14th June, Joe and I cycled the Coast 2 Coast, from Whitehaven to Tynemouth in a (very long) day. That is a distance of around 140 miles with a lot of climbing. To me it represents something of a grand tour "Queen Stage".

I am using this as an opportunity to support "Team Molly", a group of friends and family fund raising in memory of Molly Midgley-Hellend. Molly died in 2024 less than two years after being diagnosed with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma is a rare cancer normally found in the salivary glands and like all salivary gland cancers it is poorly studied. By a strange twist of fate, although I was peripherally involved with research in this area at the University of Sheffield, we we got to hear of Mollys' situation through members of her friendship circle.

I will be raising funds equally for:

Salivary Gland Cancer UK (https://www.salivaryglandcancer.uk/) the charity dedicated to researching salivary gland cancers.

Western Park Hospital (https://www.westonpark.org.uk/), where Molly was treated.

I want to thank Joe for being a great ride partner, Fank who kept us company for the last 80km and Lynne and our Molly for their amazing logistical/nutritional support. The weather was horrendous through the North Lakes and we had to ride through floods but we still got through in sub 12 hours.

No pain, no gain.

I hope that you will be able to support me for these great causes.