James Calder

I would like to say that I was young, drunk and buckled (as usual) under peer pressure when signing up for this trip over the Pyrenees. Geoff Smailes did comment that it is a “little more tricky that the Hampshire Hilly Hundred”! In truth, however, I could not turn down the challenge to support such a good cause in honour of Cameron’s love of wildlife and the opportunities this charity gives to young people.

I am definitely built for running but not so sure about cycling. It maybe my inherent dislike of Lycra, the disappointing sight of James Turner effortlessly disappearing up a hill ahead of me, or simply my fear of descending hills at break-neck speed only to discover that gravelly stuff that builds up on a bend purely to make you skid and scrape off your skin as you fall off.

I am told it would be good to look at the map showing the distance and ascent for each day. I have not done so. I am still trying to master Beacon Hill without using Epo injections and still get a bit twitchy coming to a junction in case I can’t un-clip from my pedals – I am quite sure that everyone else has exactly the same feeling but they are just better liars! Anyway, as Easter is over so is the denial that this is actually happening. The gloves are off, my helmet is on and tomorrow I start training for this bonkers ride with a load of mates across some wonderful hills (they’re not really mountains in the Pyrenees are they James?)