Name, age and area of the country you will represent.

John Bennett, 35, Glossop (The league of Gentlemen), and my adoptive home of Kew, West London.

Why the hell are you doing this?

My uncle, David Wilson developed diabetes at the age of 40, he was insulin dependent from day one. Despite his massive drive and spirit he eventually lost out at 62. That was 4yrs ago this June.

Who / what is your inspiration?

In the 50's and 60's, my uncle David used to cycle from Hadfield to Blackpool FC for every home match. A leg busting 126 miles round trip; astonishing considering the bikes back then. Because of his love of the club, his ashes are now under the home end goal line in front of his favourite seat. My father also cycled from Marble Arch to Crown Point (Denton) 30 years ago, 200 miles in 10 hrs raising funds for the Denton Boys Brigade. It is this genetic insanity of the human spirit that makes me think this ride is a good idea.

What will be the hardest part of the journey?

No question, 8 months of training; balancing the time and demands of training with work and more importantly home life. On the ride it will be "Digging Deep" and keeping going when the weather has turned bad, the roads are tough, and we have all fallen out.

What will you do at the finish line?

If my 200 mile Thames kayak paddle is anything to go by, at the finish I'll probably stand up and have a nose bleed, sit down and then smoke a big fat Cohiba.

Will you ever get on a bike again?

I've got a big mountain biking weekend arranged the week after I'm back. Bikes, beers and music, life doesnt get much better than that! ;-)