To celebrate my 60th birthday I am setting myself the demanding physical challenge to cycle 700km across the Route des Grandes Alpes, from Lac Leman (Lake Geneva) to Menton on the Mediterranean coast.  It is beyond anything I have ever done before.

My ambition is to raise as much as possible to support the physical activity and exercise research carried out at Newcastle University's Move Lab.  I am also participating in a study which analyses the benefits of physical activity in older age.

For more information about the research being undertaken at Newcastle University's Move Lab please visit www.movelab.org

For questions about other ways to support the campaign please call the Advancement Office on 0191 208 7250.

Follow my blog for updates before, during and after the challenge: www.cycleforscience.wordpress.com 

I'm on Twitter: @smianson #cycleforscience 

Thank you for your support.