Started my training rides in February. Generally I rode 15 to 20 miles once or twice a week afterschool or at the weekend with my uncle. Slowly increasing distance and effort each time. Also I would occasionally spend some time on the watt bike at the gym to build my power up even more for the hills.

Around spring time I signed up to join the Ratae Road club. Every other Wednesday me and my uncle competed in a 10 mile time trial. My first ever time trial took 36 minutes to complete and slowly, as the weeks went by, I shaved seconds and then minutes off of my time eventually reaching just over 30 minutes - however in future I hope to break the half hour. These time trials improved my power and endurance and I feel they were a brilliant part of my training.

Even on holiday I went out on my mountain bike just riding from village to village along country lanes and footpaths.

Another aspect to the challenge was the large hills that we would have to pedal up and over. Me and my best friend Josh set about finding the steepest hill in south leicester. We would ride out to Saddington Reservoir and simply ride up and down, testing out gears and techniques. It was hard work but very fun.

By the summer, I was clocking up around 110 miles of training per week. I definitely felt by far the fittest I had ever been.

I was ready for the bike ride.