My guest blogger Andrew Seymour thought there might be some cycling crazies who follow this blog and who fancy taking part in a 1000-mile charity challenge. Surely there are a few of you?! He writes: For the dedicated cyclist, there is certainly no shortage of brilliant cycling events going on around the UK. Many of us, still wincing at the thought of our festive excesses, will be dragging ourselves back to a semblance of fitness by climbing aboard our bikes, immediately getting off again, pumping up the tyres, locating the oil, fiddling with the derailleur, finally getting back on, then wobbling our way into the near distance.

Some of us (especially the readers of this rather sporty and healthy blog) will be a little firmer on our pedals, cycling on a regular basis, on properly maintained bikes, possibly competing in traditional cycling courses like the London to Brighton challenges that happen each year. These are the people that know their hardtails from their hybrids and their pacelines from their peletons and who look pityingly on the folks that send their bike to the shop whenever the inner tube needs replacing.

But what about the third tier? The future Dani Kings and Bradley Wiggings of this world? Where London to Brighton is nothing but a warm up?

Well, for you crazy people there is Action End to End. This event involves cycling from Land’s End to John o’ Groats, the two most distant geographical points in the land, with more than 1000 miles of distance to cover, making it one of the toughest long distance cycling routes in the UK. Over 10 days participants maintain an average of 100 miles per day, through some of the best scenery our fair isle has to offer, supported along the way by a full complement of bike mechanics and medical professionals. Accommodation is provided along the way so, apart from having to cycle 100 miles every day for a week and a half, you’ll be well looked after.

Action Medical Research fund medical research into rare childhood diseases, and have contributed towards breakthroughs in the treatment of children and adults alike. For some of these children  there is virtually no funding from the public sector and charities like Action are the only lifeline for delivering meaningful treatment.

So for the Pendletons out there, this is a great opportunity to raise some money for a good cause and destroy your leg muscles at the same time.

The event kicks off in August. Action Medical Research has so far been filling events left, right and centre, but there is  a big push on for this event due to a seeming shortage of people up for the challenge. So if you take your cycling seriously, check out the registration page and see if you could help Action Medical Research make a difference for children!