Ouch that hurts...otherwise known as the scientific training programme

So, I hear you ask, how is the training going?
Some of us had to look up the word "training" at the start of this little escapade, and certainly most of us knew nothing about "chafe cream" (or at least were not prepared to admit it in polite circles)We've all now been training hard, carbo loading and buying huge amounts of new kit. In Rich's case he has had his bike nicked and had to get used to an entirely new style of riding in the process. He's now realised that it isn't all downhill to Paris as his map of the world suggested.

Chris has been cycling in every day from Stanton Drew, usually in the pouring rain (someone up there is just waiting for you to get on your bike Chris then letting you have it...). He's found a massive loop route to avoid having to go over Dundry Hill, partly because he is worried about momentum on the way down....

Cookie has been in France undergoing blood transfusions and waxing his legs, Jamie has been loading his bike with sacks of potatoes (maybe onions to get used to France: Ed) and cycling up and down hills, Spinky has cleaned his bike, Beth has finally managed to get her new bike delivered and it's far too smart to ride. Sally, well she has all the gear and has come back from India looking like she could cycle through France and straight on to the Himalayas without breaking sweat.

So we're nearly all set...just a bit of tapering to do on the  training, something we've all been looking forward to doing, a massage for Jamie and away we go. 

The talking's over and now we've got to do the walking ...er ....cycling.