Someone, somewhere had to be crazy enough to come up with the idea of cycling coast-to-coast in September and getting some Wednesday legends along for the ride to raise money for charity.

That person was Peter Shaw, the Wednesdayite director who previously headed up the project to get an improved state-of-the-art audio system installed at Hillsborough for blind supporters. Here's his blog with just 5 days to go!

"Someone once said to me that "people will agree to most things if you ask them several months in advance". Well the C2C seemed a great idea several months ago but now as the main event beckons next week, well it still seems a great idea but doubts start to arise about fitness levels as I get up this morning. To be fair my preparation has been thrown into turmoil by the recent illness and subsequent death of my father a couple of weeks ago. This is the moment of truth, got to test my endurance, stamina, lung capacity and determination to complete over 50 miles a day, every day for 3 days.

Help! Panic!! I can't fail, originally this was my idea, my baby; I would look foolish if I dropped out on route. In my eyes anyway. Perhaps if I dropped out halfway I could ask my co-pilot, Richard Davies, who has been with me every pedal of the way on this project and has been a great support, to don his cycling shorts. Don't be daft Peter, Rich has just told you he was training for the C2C in the pub last night, sinking pints.

I ring up a pal, also called Peter, who lives near and persuade him to join me on a local circular route of 22.5 miles to test out his new bike. We are both kitted up raring to go. Do I at least look the part or look a bit of an ageing overweight plonker? About to leave, under starter's orders, mentally tuned in, the phone rings; Ben Hamilton, David Blunkett's personal assistant, wants to arrange a photo-shoot with Hirsty for Friday or Monday. I ring Hirsty, leave a message on his answer phone and then report back to Ben. Try again and this time, we're off!

We set off at a helluva pace. Steady on, thinks me, this is a marathon not a sprint. Remember the tortoise and the hare or am I already looking for excuses in case I fail. From Filey we cycle to Hunmanby, from where we cycle up a horrendously steep hill and keep going until we reach a beautiful little village called Forden. Briefly visit a quaint little church there where I sign the visitors book; am I attempting to buy time before getting back on the saddle. No escape, we're literally in the middle of nowhere in the Wolds, cycle up another mini Everest before enjoying beautiful views and an easy freewheel down to the village of Wold Newton. From here we proceed to Burton Fleming and then onto Grindale. I feel fine, am doing OK, pleased with myself. Take the road back to Hunmanby, signs says 3.5 miles. No problem, me thinks. Then we hit the wind............................!!!!! OMG this is tough, the longest 3.5 miles ever and what a relief it is to reach the cross-roads at the top of Hunmanby. We have a drink and take advantage of the kind farmer leaving the gate open. The rest of the route back to Filey, this time via the village of Muston is relatively painless. We both enjoyed it so much we do a lap of Filey to celebrate, or are we now just reluctant to get off our bikes. I certainly now feel more attached to it than I did a couple of hours or so ago.

We disembark and I feel fine, relieved that my body stood up to the task. As I write this a few hours later, I still feel fine although my bum feels mighty sore! Better find a soft cushion. How will my bum feel after over 150 miles in the saddle. Think I better buy some more cushions and some anaesthetic cream. Alternatively I could try and stand up for the rest of my life. Now that really would be a challenge too far, a man's got to know his limitations. Just hope I have sufficient self awareness to know mine. We are about to find out....................................

Peter Shaw. Wednesdayite director and C2C cyclist"