I have many bonkers –  but lovely – friends! One of them is one of the most cycling bonkers, but still very lovely. She is called Lee Vernett and this is her summer cycling challenge: The whole of the Tour de France. She is also raising money for an excellent cause and if you’d like to, please do sponsor her.

Here is what Lee has written: Those of you who know me, know that I live for adventures; and this looks like being my biggest challenge to date! This summer, I will be taking on the whole of the Tour de France – that’s 3500 km (2088 miles) in exactly 21 days; just like the professional Tour riders! (The only difference is I will be travelling at a significantly slower pace!)

Starting in Corsica, I will proceed through the Pyrenees and over the French Alps before finishing in Paris. Sounds easy! In short, there will be 7 flat stages, 5 hilly stages, 6 mountain stages (with 4 summit finishes), 3 time trial stages and two rest days. Averaging approximately 177 km per day, I will have long days in the saddle (realistically anything between 6-12 hours plus!) tackling the likes of the mighty Mont Ventoux (1912 m), the Col de Pailheres (the tour’s highest summit at 2001 m) and a double ascent of the infamous Alp d’Huez – that’s 42 vertical hairpins!

The magnitude of this extreme feat of physical and mental endurance is not to be underestimated. Training is already unrelenting and unforgiving given the harshness of the Scottish weather, but lighter nights and sunnier days ahead should help the cause greatly.  However, this is on top of holding down a full time and demanding job as a Primary Teacher. Despite this, I am confident that my passion for cycling, years of endurance training and my endless determination, should hopefully see me through this gruelling event. Personally, I cannot think of anything more exciting than riding the whole of the Tour de France on its centenary year!

More importantly, I will be undertaking this challenge with The Tour de Force, which is a charity created by and for the William Wates Memorial Trust.  Their mission is to help the most disadvantaged young people keep away from a life of crime and violence, and in doing so fulfill their potential. This is achieved by giving grants to charities that engage young people through the mediums of sport, arts and education.  Working on a daily basis to inspire and help children to succeed, this is a cause which is close to my heart.

As I take on one of the greatest sporting challenges in the world, I hope that you will support me in this arduous endeavour, by giving generously to this worthwhile cause and helping me to achieve my sponsorship target of £2000.

To donate online, link onto my page: www.bmycharity.com/LeeVernett2013 (All monies received will go directly to the charity.)