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End of Day 4 and just under 75 miles covered. Had the chance to call it a day after 67, but wanted to keep pushing to build up some 'contingency' miles, especially as I have my support team at the moment. So I cycled past the place we're staying in tonight, and then Mike caught up with me later and bought myself and the bike back in the Mini (only made possible by the fact it's a convertible!)
Today went pretty well, but the morning was particularly tough. Sorry to keep harking on about my knees, but they really are in constant pain. Getting used to ignoring it now, and just getting on with it. Think stretching is definitely helping though. I also visited a supermarket at the end of the day and used my extensive french communication skills to explain I needed some ice for my knees (in truth I used a series of universally understood hand signals and gestures to a woman at the fish counter who sent her colleague to go get some spare ice they had for the fish... I felt the acting out of the cycling part went down particularly well!)
Anyways, after a slow start this morning I managed to make up for it in the afternoon by really pushing myself on the flats. Used a busy trunk road at one point, and every time a truck went past you in the opposite direction it was like getting hit in the face by a wall of air, pretty much stopped you in your tracks. However, you get used to it, just annoying when it kills your momentum.
Had a bit of trouble with the bike today, when I went to cycle again and the pedal wasn't there! The crank actually fell off, but luckily by backtracking I managed to find the piece responsible for keeping it in place, and successfully reattached it. Does mean that I've learnt a valuable lesson, in that it's not just my body that needs better looking after, but also the bike carrying me, and will now do daily checks to make sure nothing is loose.
Anyways, that's enough for one night. We've all had dinner, and now back in the room. Early'ish start tomorrow in order to take advantage of having the last full day with Anne & Mike, so hopefully will get some decent distance covered.
Love to all back home reading this, keep the message of encouragement coming, they help... a lot!
- comments
David Maycock Hey Chris So many miles each, day thats such a great achievement mate. Keep it up and look after those knees you'll need them over the next few years... Good luck with the rest of the ride. Dave
Lex Hey Chrishhhhhhtopher This is brilliant - love the tales of you re-enacting cycle positions in order to get ice from the fish counter! haha! Bet that was lovely on your knees though. I can't imagine how much pain they must be in - I get aches and pains in my knees a lot from all the running. So cycling 100s of miles must be torture! Keep it up, it sounds like you're making great progress. The Wall Of Air doesn't sound much fun either but what you are doing is truly amazing and I think everyone is so very proud :):) Love you lots, stay safe, xxx
sarah kay keeep it upppppp Chris! Well done for all the gruelling miles covered so far, you seem to be doing amazingly well. Enjoying following your progress, hope you get to keep it up. All the best on the last day with the support team!
SPOKES TEAM / ROUTE TO WORK TEAM Hi Chris, We are all watching you here at Spokes and rooting for you! Keep going mate - we know you can do it!!! from The GANG
Jonathan Blain Chris, It is great reading your blogs. You are really amazing. I hope your knees hold together, it is a long way still to go! I did a French exchange to Amboise, when I was 13, stayed with a plumbers son in a house looking over the bridge and the river. I have some friends who live in a place called Asse Le Boisne near fresnay sur santhe just off the A28 E402 north of Le Mans. If it is useful, I might be able to arrange for you to spend a night with them. Let me know if you want me to try and arrange something, with a date. Jonathan
Antonella wow! you are incredible! good luck with your knees - that must be a nightmare - do take care of them - thanks for the blog. great to follow your ride.
Theo Great going Chris. Look after yourself and can't wait for the next update. Theo