To the riders of The Race Against Time 2008

When I set this up in 2003 I had no idea that it would inspire a passion in so many people to do the end to end in this short time.

This is the first year I've not been involved in TRAT since it started and it's fantastic to hear all the news about your training and

how many of you are riding this year - not to mention the wonderful bikes you might be riding as well. Reading the messages

Stuart has passed on fills me with the same sort of excitement I had in 2003. There must be an anxiety there as well, as there

often is before you embark on something as exciting and daunting as this challenge.

I wanted to write to you to wish you all every success on your journey in The Race Against Time 2008, both individually and

as a whole team. I hope the weather is kind to you and especially that you get a great tail wind on the last day up Helmsdale

and Berrydale! This is a wonderful country with great beauty all the way through - seeing it at 15mph is special and you'll

dine out on it for years to come. You are doing a most fantastic thing for a great cause and my heart will be with you every

mile of the way until you reach John O'Groats.

So good luck, keep strong in your body and especially your mind, and God Speed all the way!

Ciaran