The month’s Star Letter in inspirational: “100 miles in 12hrs. Well that was my target, after being told lose weight and work on my core.”

>>> Six things all riders do when they ride again after a long time out

Tale of the century

100 miles in 12hrs. Well that was my target, after being told lose weight and work on my core. Didn’t know l had one! 30 years in the building trade had resulted in more arthritis in my hip and spine than a 54 year-old should have. Six month waiting list on the NHS, so l sought advise. “Take up something,” l was told. “Give yourself a target.”

So I dusted off an eight-year-old Cannondale retrieved from a skip and hit the hills, sometimes literally — superman had a whole new meaning. Signed up to a 40mile charity ride in March (Chestnut Tree House) a warm up, followed by BHF SDW in July. Built the mileage up, walked and then rode up hills many, many, many times… developed strange tan lines.

Upgraded to a 2018 Giant Anthem 2 in the January sales, have become a Strava addict. The help along way has been invaluable from charity training plans and advice in this great mag. Resulted in me achieving my aim with a time of 11hrs 22mins, another one off the bucket list. Many thanks to all the volunteers, without which these events couldn’t take place, and of coarse my support crew — Joanne, my long suffering wife!

Doing the London to Brighton off-road in September, the journey continues…

– Leigh Short (now pain free and over 3 stone lighter)

Contact us: mbr@timedia.com

All Star Letter correspondents win a Madison Zenith waterproof jacket worth £99.99.