Last run out before the main event today. Took the tried and trusted route which is kind of uphill on the out stretch. Windy on the way out to Amersham but I got a full 3 to 4 mph faster average speed on the way home. Hope we get a tail wind through Europe. Whilst riding, I composed a list of jobs to do and things to take [as you do] for what I still view as this madcap scheme! Amazing what comes into your mind - swiss army knife, cancel milk, socks, torch, arse cream… Still, when Friday morning comes, there’s no turning back.

Rose has decided she wants to do the Hammersmith to Harrow leg so it will be my turn to chuckle at her in ‘full lycra’ after 3 months of her chuckling at me.

Andy H from Brighton (ex-bttf 2004) is coming to ours on Thursday night and doing the Harrow to Harwich leg - he may even continue into Holland.

Our son, George, arranged for his scout troop to lend us what he describes as a ‘hench cooker’ for the trip.  So at least we can feed ourselves. Apparently this thing is so powerfull - basically a propane burner working like a Bunsen burner - that “if you leave a pan on it with nothing in, it’ll melt”

A schoolfriend of mine has just got back from kayaking from Bergen right round the top of Norway. His mails made really enjoyable reading and I just hope we have as many adventures!

Those of you who are doing it - see you on the ride, those who aren’t, see you soon. Thanks also to those peeople I’ve met and who have been so encouraging !

By the way Les, eggs flipped over on Friday morning, please.

Funny last few days. I was travelling quite lot so not much bike work. Helping at my son’s scout hut yesterday I got stung by a couple of wasps.  Hand came up red and bloated. Still not right today [Sunday] itchy and still sore.  I’ve said I’ll drop a package into somewhere near Lords’ Cricket Ground today so it’s away on the bike. Route planner reckons 21 kms there so a nice little pootle on a windy day. Let’s see if Ken’s [now Boris’s] Transport for London planner is any good !?!

Had a couple of good runs out last weekend and this Sunday woke early and took advantage of the warm weather to do a few before teaming up with Les to check out the route to Harwich. Got some ‘business cards’ made up from a design by Eric the ace designer and originator of ‘bike man’. He’s also going to hand out info from his pottery sale stall in the next few weeks and has sent out info to various bike clubs in Yorkshire.

The fabby Evon at work ran off some vinyls of the event for me which we can stick on, well, anything really. The ’support team’ at the office - Kelly, Mark, Ian, Ratan, Steve and Betty - have said they’ll get the sponsor forms going. Good stuff and thanks !! Couple of people showing interest in the Harrow->Harwich leg so I’ll be trying to fix a lift back for those people. Will try and keep the legs ticking over this week . Oh, by the way - just as an aside, happy birthday, Jane !

Starting to get it together now. Blew up the tyres the other week and oiled the chain, also treated myself to a new saddle and speedo. Spent this Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning pootling round close to home with Les. The hill at Batchworth still causes me problems however I ride it - whether I start fast and slow later or start slow and build up speed - still I’m hoping the route to Poland will have few such inclines. Planning to ride again at the weekend.