Rowan James, from Peasedown St John, is embarking on a challenge of a lifetime, cycling from Winchester to Monte Carlo as part of Inspired Living's 'Monte Carlo or Bust' charity bike ride for Cancer Research UK.
Rowan is one of five novices joining a team of 51 riders taking part, the riders include four people completing the challenge on a tandem, as well as a wide range of ages, from fifteen to seventy.
Rowan said: "Until two months ago, I had never been on a road bike and the first time I used clip-in shoes, I fell off five times in an hour. I now, however, have a bike, a lower crash rate and am training whenever possible."
The ride has been organised by Inspired Living, a group of volunteers that are aiming to raise £1 million for Cancer Research and have completed many fundraising rides over the past four years, including rides to Italy and Gibraltar. As each of the riders fund the trip themselves, all of their sponsorship money is donated to Cancer Research UK.
The team set off on Thursday, 28th August and arrive in Monte Carlo on Saturday, 6th September, having travelled an average of 85 miles across the nine days, a total of 1,348 km, as well as tackling the Alps as part of the route.
Rowan said: "My motivations for undertaking this ride largely rest on the fantastic progress made by Cancer Research UK each year. Every day, 400 people in the UK are diagnosed with cancer and the work of Cancer Research UK ensures the survival rates continue to improve.
Knowing the money raised will make a difference will fuel me physically and mentally throughout the ride. Every mile completed and every contribution given will help."
To sponsor Rowan and find out more about his individual challenge, please visit: http://www.justgiving.com/Rowan-James">www.justgiving.com/Rowan-James To find out more about Inspired Living and their fundraising efforts, visit: http://www.inspiredliving.org.uk">www.inspiredliving.org.uk