Update 30 June 2008

Very many thanks to all of you who sponsored me both via this web site and off-line. As of today I have reached half of the, admittedly ambitious, sponsorship target!

As for the ride itself, l managed more than half the target distance but sadly the full 100 miles eluded me.

We got off to a good start leaving a cool Winchester at 05:45 on Saturday morning. Conditions seemed ideal with none of the tortuous mud of last year's ride and we reached the first checkpoint after 23 miles half an hour ahead of our planned schedule.

Exhilarated by fine weather, stunning views and fast descents we continued apace until Nick suffered a broken chain on the ascent of Bignor Hill around the 39 mile mark. I offered moral support while Nick attempted a repair, unfortunately, the repair only held for a few metres before the damaged chain snagged the front derailleur ending Nick's ride.

We had now fallen behind our schedule by about 15 minutes and I pushed hard alone to catch up. By the time I reached the A24 at Washington, 15 miles further on, I had more than caught up on our schedule but that effort, combined with the heat and the demoralising effect of Nick's retirement, were beginning to take their toll.

The next 11 miles to Devil's Dyke includes two big climbs: Chanctonbury and Trueleigh Hill and by the top of the later I was running out of steam. The thought of another 35 miles on my own, with some of the toughest climbs still to come, was just too much and I decided to retire at Devil's Dyke, the end point of the shorter 65 mile route.

I am disappointed not to have completed the route but it was the right decision on the day and I'm sure there will be another chance!

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The French word, randonnée, summons up an image of a gentle stroll but the South Downs Way Randonnée is no walk in the park.

It is a 100 mile (161 km) off-road bike ride covering the entire length of the South Downs Way from Winchester to Eastbourne. The route profile includes 3,550 metres of climbing (nearly 12,000 ft).

I have taken part twice before, in 2005 and 2007, covering the shorter 35 mile and 65 mile routes respectively so it was inevitable that I would be back to tackle the Full Monty.

Please sponsor me using the big red buttons on this page and help the BHF in its valuable work against heart disease.