Former Palace captain Geoff Thomas is just seven days from reaching his goal of completing the gruelling Tour de France course.
The Eagles legend set out on his charity ride two weeks ago with the aim of getting round the 2,200 mile course in just 21 days – the same length of time taken by pro cyclists such as Lance Armstrong. So far, he's bang on target.
Geoff spent last Sunday cycling with his team through the driving snow and hail of the Alps to reach the halfway point of the ride.
In his online diary, he wrote: "I have to say, not only have I never done anything that tough on a bike, I've never ever been that cold and it must rank as one of the toughest things I've ever done.
"On the climb I was very, very close to my limit, to the point where it was a relief to know I only had half a kilometre to go when I really hit the wall. It was endless.
"But after surviving this, we're beginning to think we can survive anything."
Geoff is undertaking the ride to raise funds and awareness for Leukaemia Research. He was diagnosed with leukaemia in July 2003, and had a bone marrow transplant the following January. Geoff is currently in remission but will not know for sure if he has beaten the disease for five years.
You can read more of his diary, and donate to the Leukaemia Research charity, by visiting www.geoff-thomas.com.