I just would like to say how wonderful people were I feel really lucky. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you very much for the incredible people around me my fantastic family and my beautiful friends for all the cheering, laughing and crying. 


Also thanks Mr Hartley for the the cutting out and Dr Maraveyas for the pouring in.  

4th of September Selby to Hull

Got up and pedalled really really hard. On the way got a text from Lisa inviting me for a cup of water ( kind of a joke, I love water) when I get back. I said I would be about half an hour.  All my beautifuls were on the street with banner and party hats and very loud cheer. It was such a lovely surprise; It was worth the 500 miles and back again for that.

I went for the after party it was good to see the group again.

3rd of September Skipton to Selby

As the road was getting flatter my mood was playing like a roller coaster ride. I'm kind of thinking to push it a bit further to make it home today. My head is bit of a mess; I want to be somewhere where I feel safe... Tas is starting school, my dad is over here, the treatment starts again, the holiday ends... all just a bit too much. We arrive at the campsite and it's too late, only an hour all so of daylight left, even if I pedal hard it's not really an option. I am upset about it. I put up my tent. I decide I will go home early tomorrow and join the group at the after party. 

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2nd of September Windermere to Skipton 60-odd miles

After the vertical turned concave adventure I thought nothing could get to us, well the tiredness did. I had the best breakfast but the strangest start. People were deflated and a bit fed up; it is just that point of the journey when it is over half way but not close enough to home to get excited about. It was a bit hard bobbing up and down leaving the lakes to the dales. The rain was setting in and the edgy mood lingered on. 

After 60 something miles we lost our way too.We circled around Skipton in hope for a non-existent camp site, then the blaming game started. Blame but taking no responsibility, misunderstanding, talking talking talking ...  The whirlpool was pulling down but we surfaced in the end.

Find a camp site something to eat and then a pint ...the world seemed a much more reasonable place.

The little back dress day

For all the lovely people

Thank you very much for your lovely messages I do cherish them. really really really

For popular demand

Thank you very much your kind interest of the state of my bum. I would like to assure you it is OK. I think it is even got got a bit perter than was before. So all good.

1st of September Ullswater to Windermere

I really really really was not looking forward to this. Kirkstone pass the road between Ullswater and lake Windermere. Very high; a little bit too high for mortals like me. I have done it with the car ... gear 1 and seen cyclists and remember thinking, poor baggers, there is no need for that. Yes and there was, poor bagger me and so the motorists with they faces grinning with pity.
It started off ok steady climb and then turned nasty and was as it was not enough being vertical oh no it turned on itself and claimed to be concave. I managed to cycle till half a mile to the top with awful lot of huffing and puffing and cursing till the hill shaken me off from the bike and showed me who rules. So I got down and pushed ... then 200 yards from the top the road turned flat (thank you hill to saving my dignity) so I hoped back on and arrived in the car park fresh faced as it would have been a doddle. You would have been very impressed.
Downhill was fast and furious and around 40 miles an hour. I am getting a taste for this zumming buisness.

Kirkstone pass

30th September Glasgow to Dumfries

90 miles nine o I have never ever done that much in my life.

We set off by 8 am and it was raining a bit later it was heavy rain by 10 it was cats and dogs, by 11 the occasional cow thrown in. At this point my gortex gave up and I was dripping so were my clothes. It was all about positioning; try to get behind a thin wheeled bike with a mudgard so I do not end up with the whole road in my face, also the racer position was definitely out of the question
We stopped at 12 for lunch and then the sky opened and let the sun have a go too. After that everything was just hunky dory.

I feel I am getting stronger day by day I kind of started to enjoys the ups and today I was reasonably speedy too it does feel great.

Loch Lomond