I RECENTLY participated in the inaugural Etape Pennines, a 78 mile cycle challenge through the beautiful Durham dales with over 5,000ft of vertical ascent (that’s a lot).

Setting off from Ushaw Moor, in Durham, at 7.20 am, it wasn’t quite light.

It was also very cold but being on the road with almost 2,000 other cyclists was a fantastic feeling. Once the sun came up, it turned out to be a beautiful day, County Durham had definitely put on its Sunday best – weather wise.

The route was tough (passing over England’s highest tarmac road – with warnings of black ice at the top) but it was well worth the effort.

At around 60 miles I starting getting spasms in both my hamstrings. This was very painful and limited the effort I could put in on the remaining hills, but with amazing support from so many well-wishers cheering from the roadside and the thought of the £350 sponsorship money I was raising for my mayoral charity, the British Heart Foundation, I completed it in six hours and 15 minutes – close to the average time.

A big thanks to everyone who sponsored me. They say that pain is temporary but memories are forever. I think that’s true!

Charlie Kay, Bishop Auckland