TODAY - I am once again riding the annual "Duchenne Dash" – cycling from London to Paris in 24 hours to raise money for Duchenne UK.

The Dash began in 2013, happens every year – and I've ridden every one.

This year, to mix it up a bit, I'm ON A TANDEM, joined by one of my oldest friends, Serge Kogan, who has flown in from California, at his own expense, to do this ride with me.

Serge and I are riding "The Beast" - my trusty two-handed bicycle. This is his first time on a tandem - and he is a little nervous about riding this machine 300km with me in 24 hours. It’s a long way - and riding a tandem up hills (including the South Downs) is tough, given that you can't stand up on the pedals (hence lots of “carbo-loading”).

But we're leaving London today - heading for Newhaven, then the ferry to Dieppe, before the long grind to the French capital, arriving tomorrow afternoon.

Please support this worthy cause if you can – every penny is gratefully received – and help the superb parent-run charity Duchenne UK continue to fund the development of treatments for a particularly nasty and fatal form of muscular dystrophy. And please do like and share this post !!