The first podcast...

To play, please click on the white triangle, top left...

...and the first video

What happened to January? Terrified that the month would end without my inaugural training ride, I togged up and headed out into the Warwickshire countryside...

After an epic pedal-athon (OK - thirteen miles) I reached Stratford-upon-Avon, where I recorded this mini-video.

Sorry about the dodgy sound quality - and for the obvious fact that it's addressed to the project's Facebook followers.

Thanks to the terrific efforts of my friends at Falcon Camps, my JustGiving site is now up and active. Hurrah!

You're welcome to check it out via this link - or via the link to the right.

After appropriate refreshment, I pondered the possibility of returning home on the train. But, dismissing such craven thoughts, I tootled home, notching up a well-meaning (but weedy) 26.5 miles.

Four months to go to June 1 - and the start of the ride.

Only four? Surely some mistake?