Having ridden a very difficult Alpine stage from the Tour de france last year (Etape du tour Acte 1) I foolishly decided to enter an even greater challenge this year, namely the Haute Route Alps.  According to the organisers, the Haute Route is the highest and toughest cyclosportive in the world, where 600 fellow fools cycle from Geneva to Nice in 7 days. The route covers a distance of 866km with 21,000 m of vertical ascent (that's about 2.5 times the high of Mt Everest from sea level, in case you're wondering). Oh, and by the way there is a very ambitious (for me) time limit on each stage to make sure you're not dawdling. My ambition is to finish within each of the 7 time limits, complete the course safely and very importantly, not get off the bike on any of the climbs. What could be more simple?

Once again I am trying to raise a little money for a worthwhile charity, which this year the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, so if you are feeling generous or pity me, please donate via my web site at: http://www.justgiving.com/Hatley-HauteRoute