However, my last quick 18-miler before an old school teacher came over for dinner I will forever remember as my first Tour de France moment.

No, I wasn’t in a large group of cyclists rolling along Parisian streets but I took on my first mammoth hill and experienced my first high speed – well – fall.

I will start with the prouder of the two moments for me – the huge war wound I have on my left knee. Unlike what I remember coming off my bike was like when I was younger this fall outside the entrance to a farm took out a significant chunk of not just my skin but a bit of flesh.

Indeed it had curled back on itself to look as it a bit of bone was poking out – if only I had my camera.

Not so enjoyable was the fact it occurred in front of three people and the only three people who I saw on my whole journey. They offered sympathy to check if I was alright, but I casually brushed them off: I’m fine, just a scratch – after all isn’t it normally to feel stabbing pains from your elbow to the tips of your fingers?

Fortunately it was towards the end of that journey’s exhaustions so I didn’t have far to go back home and have a desperately needed shower – I don’t think there are too many occasions I have tried to get mud, blood, oil and paint off myself at the same time.

Oddly skimming across tarmac at 18-miles-per-hour was not the least enjoyable part of my ride, as I had to tackle the hill from Farmoor to Cumnor. Anyone who is from West Oxfordshire will appreciate this hill as it winds and grows and extends and elongates at every twist, never ending until the Devil has risen from hell and penetrated your thighs with his burning hot trident at which point he bellows into your ear that you are only half-way.

I succeeded though. I reached the top and felt like Frodo once the Ring had been dropped into the fires of Mordor, before swiftly realising I still had 13-miles until home, Earl Grey and sofa.

What I also fear is this example of inclining roads will prove to be a doddle when compared to the rugged terrain of South-West England – for 96-miles on day one… What have I let myself in for?

Any amount of money will be greatly appreciated for these very worthwhile causes, so just click here and get out your card!!

It will be hugely appreciated!!

• The game (the physical act of competing)
• The lash
• The stash

So I have been delighted to receive e-mails telling me about the kit the Great British Bike Ride have organised for us participating riders.

The shirts are free for those doing all four days or the final leg thanks to Lexus and Foska, while others can purchase them for £45.

The shorts on the other-hand must be purchased for £50.

If you fancy either of them e-mail.

GBBR Jerseys

GBBR Shorts

I haven’t played much rugby this year, but have been going to the gym but would say my fitness is okay – though I admit I am still carrying ‘puppy fat’ (at 22-years old).

• Height – 180cm
• Weight – 88kg
• Blood Pressure – 120/70
• Pulse – 80

Body Mass Index

As the graph shows, I am over-weight according to the BMI. I am carrying a bit of timber, but there are inaccuracies. Muscle is not really considered, and rugby players are hit hard in particular.

Take Jamie Roberts – he could hardly be classed as tittering on obese, but his huge frame puts him there.

Pulse

The nurse did say my pulse was quite high (should be about 60) but it was a hot day which would have pushed it up a little…

Targets

Obviously other than trying to complete the bike ride I want to get my resting pulse rate down, and also shift my spot on the BMI chart towards the left, by losing some weight

It is a slow road to fitness after major knee surgery as he trains for The Lexus Great British Bike Ride, but Hill’s desire for competition soon reared its head again when he came up against some fellow cyclists: “Cycling was all new to me, and I was overtaken by an elderly couple when out on the road.

“But it was when I got over taken by some more, that the competitive edge came back and I followed their route to see if I could keep up with them.

“I have just had a specialised bike delivered. It has the framework of a normal bike but it makes the most of the movement that I have and looks after the quality of the knee – so it helps generally with efficiency and comfort.

“I have had to be careful with my rehab, but this is a great opportunity to raise money for some worthy causes and look after my own health.”

Hill is set to embark on a 313-mile cycle ride to raise money for a number of charities.

The journey will begin on September 1 from Land’s End and take in some of southern England’s most beautiful countryside before ending at Twickenham three days later during the Guinness Premiership’s double header on September 4.

Hill said: “Last summer I had a major knee operation which I didn’t really want to have in my thirties, let alone in my forties or at any time.”

Hill is hoping to be joined on the four day journey by 300 other riders at a time, either for the whole trip or just one of the stages. Each night they will stay at a different local rugby club where a tented village, food and showers will await them before arriving at HQ during the Guinness Premiership double header on September 4.

“There are going to be activities planned in the evenings at the clubs we stop off at,” the flanker who retired in 2008 added. “But I can’t imagine it will be a case of putting the bikes away and rolling into bed each night.”

The main charities who will benefit from the ride are the RFU Injured Players Foundation, the RPA Benevolent Fund and Help for Heroes, but Hill was keen to stress his keenness for people to raise money for additional charities once they have obtained the necessary £300 of sponsorship per entrant (or £150 if only completing one stage).

And as for his beloved Saracens, Hill hopes that when he cycles into Twickenham on September 4 it will be his old club who are the team everyone is trying to snatch the Premiership title off: “We are in a strong position and we would love to get one of the home semi-finals.

“We had a kicking and territorial game which worked extremely well in the first half of the season but in the last couple of weeks we have had some really good performances and scored lots of tries.

“In this position anything can happen in knock-out rugby and we will have to take our chances.”

Why? – Initially the prospect of cycling into a packed home of English rugby on the opening day of the 2010-11 Premiership season was too great an opportunity to turn down.

Considering it further I thought it would be a great challenge, an opportunity to get fit, and with no employment arranged for after I graduate at the end of June, something to pass the time.

It is also an opportunity to raise awareness and money for some charities which I think are particularly worthy.

The RPA Benevolent Fund and RFU Injured Players Foundation I have fortunately not dealt with personally. But the game I am so passionate for, rugby, becoming increasingly more physical and with recent incidents like the near catastrophic injury suffered to Scotland’s Thom Evans, it is important groups like this are in place to help those who suffer unfortunate injuries.

Equally, Help for Heroes continue to deliver fantastic work with the Armed Forces who fight so diligently for a safer world.

What will the blog do? – I hope to use this blog as a way to measure my progress leading up to the ride beginning on September 1 to show others that any ordinary person can do things like this. I will also record my experiences of the ride itself – internet connection permitting.

Further, I hope to collect some of the stories and experiences of others who are taking part to demonstrate why others have decided to tackle this challenge and deliver more personal connections to chosen charities.

The opportunity to register yourself is still available – click through to the Great British Bike Ride website for more information about how you can get involved, and if not as a participant as a steward or in a number of other roles.