Who am I?

This a short but challenging question. I guess most people who read this blog may actually know me and won't need me to say who I am but there may be some new readers who will need a pen picture of me. Here goes:-

I am a 51 year old retired police inspector from a small town in Cumbria called Grange over Sands. I have two children, Rebekah (19) and John (18). I was born in Burnley and still retain loyal to my Lancashire roots. Over the last year I have been working as a Personal Trainer as I enjoyed all sports and exercise of all kinds. I suppose my main sporting passion has been rugby union. I played at different times for Blackburn, Furness and Cumbria Police rugby teams. Since retiring from rugby I have done a bit of everything but mainly focused on swimming, rugby and cycling as well as doing spinning classes, circuits, free weights and Zumba. I am currently taking an Exercise to Music course (yes I'm far too old for that kind of thing but why not!).

On a sad note, during an 8 month period at the end of 2011 and early 2012 I lost both my parents and my wife Sue, she died of breast cancer. So, 2012 was a period of massive readjustment to say the least. Sue was a fantastic person who was extremely positive about the way she lived and we had talked about what life for me might be like after her death. She wanted me and my children to continue to enjoy life and to make the most of opportunities that came our way. That is what I intend to do.

I have 2 brothers, David who lives in France and will start the cycle ride with me and Peter who lives at Skipton.

I am determined to be happy and positive in my life and this cycle trip is something I have wanted to do for at least 3 years. I won't prattle on too much at this point about me but I guess this journey and his blog is about me and my desire to share my cycling adventure with friends old and new. So, here goes.