Destination – check. Time frame –­ check. Charities – check. Departure point – ??? I need a place to set off from! A few locations are floating about in my head, London, Cornwall but in the end I settle on Bath where my dad lives. A beautiful city, steeped in history, magnificent architecture and hot springs. And of course it was a Roman city. In addition, Bath’s thermal waters have acted as a healing remedy for people with weary bones and joints. Something I’ll have to soak myself in when I reach my destination! In a recent study of 2000 Roman skeletons, researchers found evidence of arthritis in the knee, hip, back and other joints. These people had no cures and without surgical intervention lived in pain and discomfort. Their experience shows this disease has affected humans for thousands of years but it has never stopped them from living their lives.

My first trip to meet Dominique Royle, a physiotherapist at Clarence House in Penzance, is very successful. She is excited about the challenge of treating me because it has been 14 years since I visited a physio. I should have taken better care of myself but I usually just power though and get on with it. This bike challenge has shifted my view and has given me the kick up the arse that is required. Dominique identifies my body’s fine tuned patterns that have built up throughout my life as a coping mechanism and suggests I try some stretches to improve my movement and flexibility. I take her advice and crack on.