Explore MD to get on his bike...

On 31 May Ashley Toft - Explore’s Managing Director – is embarking on an epic cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise awareness and funds for the charity Bipolar UK.

As you might expect from a dedicated adventure traveller, rather than choosing a smooth ride on tarmac roads, Ashley and some hardy fellow riders (including a number of Explore staff) will largely be using off-road trails. And as if that wasn’t challenging enough, the route will include an ascent of Ben Nevis. Our cyclists will literally be experiencing the highs and lows of the UK as the route also takes in one of the lowest points in the UK in the Bristol Channel (at low tide) near Portishead. Commenting on the ride and Explore’s involvement Ashley said: ‘’I set up Explore Bipolar last June to raise awareness of mental health issues and especially bipolar disorder. We are arranging a number of events throughout 2012 to raise much needed funds for Bipolar UK, with this crazy off-road cycle being the main one. There will be a core team riding End to End, with others joining us for a day or a few days along the way’.

If you'd like to find out more, make a donation or even join Ashley for part of the route, go to www.explorebipolar.org or follow the team on twitter.