I can safely say The Argus Appeal bike ride to Paris is
one of the most satisfying challenges you can take on.
But don’t take my word for it – put your name down
for the 2008 ride.

For the last three days we have ridden through some
of the most beautiful countryside in France,
enjoyed some of the best al fresco lunches under a
baking sun and sampled the odd glass or two from
the local vineyards. Oh and then there was the cycling.

We quickly divided into groups, based on speed
more than anything, but we were united in a
common determination to last the pace – and we did
it. Our efforts raised what I can only describe as a
staggering £40,000.

So there is the challenge. We had a lot of fun and
have a huge number of very happy memories. But now it’s your turn.

Should men wear lycra?
It may surprise a few but that was the only question among our merry group today.
The reason for this? Don't ask me because I have a vested interest.
Perhaps it was the sight of Alan "Hot Pants" McCarthy as he conquered the best that the hills of Northern France could throw at him today.
But for the real reason I'll leave it to the ladies.
Mekdes Yimam said: "I usually admire male cyclists' legs when I drive. On this trip I could not keep up with the ones with the nice legs."
Gill Cox added: "I think ventillation is more important than fashion. Having said that men should think very carefully before they go down that route."
Lisa Taylor said: "Men should wear lycra so the women are not distracted from the task ahead (yet to meet a man that looks good in lycra).
So there you have it – or not?
The jury seems to be out on that one.
And so to today's ride. It was simply fantastic. We set off and arrived at many different times but we were still a team.
I can't let it pass that we passed a dozen moles strung upon a wire fence. Can anyone help me with that one?
Was it an ancient ritual or a local greeting for The Argus cyclists? Answers on a postcard please.
And so to Paris. Is the French capital ready for 50 hungry, hot and thirsty cyclists?
I'll tell you tomorrow.

A day into the Brighton to Paris challenge and I have broken two promises already. The first was not to stay up late on the first night and the second
was to pace myself.

My hangover this morning was my own fault, brought on by the camaraderie and generosity of my fellow cyclists.
As for the pace I set, I have only myself to blame. I admit I got carried away, over-confident, call it what you like.

The hill ahead looked challenging but well within my capability. It was only when I was halfway up that I realised I might have bitten off more than I could chew.
I made it to the top but learned a very simple and valuable lesson – cycle to your limits.

I have to admit that today was an incredible experience.
As we cycled through the rolling French countryside we all felt part of something special. We quickly set our own pace, breaking off into groups dependent on our speed, but everyone had the same determination to reach the finish.

I am happy to report there were no dramas. Several sore limbs and aching muscles but we expected those, and if that is the worst we suffer, that’s fine. We did “lose” two cyclists on the short ride to Newhaven on Wednesday but I will resist making any comment about women and maps.

Tomorrow we have been told we face a more challenging ride with a steep hill only a short distance from our hotel. But we are a confident group, spurred a little by the wine and beer but also by a determination that seems to be shared by every member of our happy group.

More than 50 miles face us tomorrow and I’ll let you know
how we get on. Wish us luck.

With just a day to go it’s a time for reflection - have I done sufficient training and will I last the pace.
And the answer to both is “I don’t know.”

I have trained hard, and managed to complete a 50-mile training ride but my mind keeps going back to those mornings when a warm bed was preferable to a tiring training cycle and if that really was a good idea.

As I look ahead to tomorrow’s start I have to admit to a feeling of both excitement and a little trepidation.
I’m looking forward to joining the other cyclists taking part, to swapping stories and a few moans and groans and the camaraderie that is I am sure will exist among us all.

I have to say a massive thank you to everyone who has sponsored me. As I write this I have raised more than £2,500 thanks to the generosity of so many people. Thanks to every single one of you. As the pain of my razor-like saddle begins to bite your donations will make it all worthwhile. There are simply too many to name but you know who you are – thanks.

As well as riding up to 50 miles a day I will also take time to keep you posted on how we are doing. Technology allowing, I will post daily updates on where we are and how we’re doing.

Wish me luck. I feel I might need it.

Just over two weeks to go and I’m beginning to realise what I have let myself in for.

Three days to cycle to Paris didn’t seem too much of an ordeal – until I started to increase my training.

I felt quite pleased with myself when I completed a 32-mile training ride, until I realised that not only would I have to do that for three consecutive days, but I would have to add another 20 miles each day as well.

And then there’s the pain. I was assured by several people that after a while this would pass and I wouldn’t notice I was sitting on a saddle that felt like a razor blade. Well, they were wrong. It still hurts and no matter how many miles I clock up, it shows no sign of easing. Still, it makes my friends laugh.

And talking of friends, I have to thank everyone who has been so generous and sponsored me for this challenge. As I write this more than £500 has been pledged on my web page www.justgiving.com/michaelbeard. And more than £1,100 has been donated in cash or cheques. It’s amazing the number of people who will pay good money to see me suffer.

Just as my training is reaching its peak I am asking you to support me on this ride. Remember every single pound that I raise will be put to a good cause and will make a difference to someone in our community.

My target was always to raise £3,000 and I am still hoping to reach that goal. But I need help. If I am to reach that figure I need as many of you as possible to dig deep and support me. Even if it just a few pounds, every donation will be gratefully received. It will also help to ease some of the suffering.

Please make your donation either online at the address above or by sending in a cheque or pledge to:
The Argus Appeal, Argus House, Crowhurst Road, Hollingbury, Brighton, BN1 8AR.

Watch this page for my next update when not only do I hope to be able to tell you that I have increased my mileage but that my fund raising target is much closer.

It could be the biggest mistake of my life but it was a challenge I had to accept.

As The Argus Appeal entered its 50th year I wanted to do something special to celebrate the occasion.

As you can imagine, there was no shortage of suggestions. Some were genuine and tempting, while others displayed a surprisingly sadistic streak among my friends and colleagues.

Determined to “do my bit” during this special year for the appeal, I decided to do something that fell between the two extremes – in a moment of madness I agreed to join the 50-odd-strong band of cyclists who annually ride from Brighton to Paris in August.

It really did seem like a good idea at the time. Spread over three days, and with all day to complete each stage, it shouldn’t be that difficult. Should it?

Well, several weeks into my training, I can tell you it has proved far harder than I ever imagined. In years gone by I played a lot of sport – football, cricket and squash to name just a few – and I expected this cycle challenge to be exactly that: a challenge but one that would not prove too taxing with a little bit of training.

What I have discovered is the complete opposite. There is no cheating. The simple fact is if I don’t put in the miles I will struggle – and pride, call it stubbornness, will not allow that.

I can now complete a 25-mile ride. It’s not easy but I can do it. The hard part now will be transforming that into the 50 miles a day I have to do to reach Paris.

And that is where you come in. I am not doing this for fun. I hope my ride will raise money, and a lot of it, for The Argus Appeal and I am asking every one of you to support me by pledging to sponsor my ride.

For details of how you can do that, click here . I will gladly accept your sponsorship, no matter how small because every single penny will count. I can assure you that, as with all the money raised by the appeal, every penny I raise will go to a good cause.

For those of you who may not know, The Argus Appeal raises thousands of pounds every year for those in need in our community. Your support could help make a real difference to someone.

So please give generously. Make sure you read my updates regularly. I cannot sign off without thanking Evans Cycles, of Air Street, Brighton, for fixing me up with a new Pinnacle racing bike to help me in my challenge. Already, this has really helped my training, as has the advice from the expert staff, who have been so helpful.

So please sponsor me now! Many thanks for your support.