Day 6 Today was an early start as Anne & Mike had to leave soon after 8am in order to get up to Calais. Was very sad to see them leave, and does mean that I am truly 'solo' now for the rest of the ride. After they had gone I spent about an hour tinkering away with the bike, checking nuts, lubricating, sorting tyre pressures and repacking the panniers to be as equal in weight as possible, then set off. The going seemed painfully slow, and it took me time to ...

Day 5 So this morning Mike dropped me back to Montrichard, where I had finished the last days cycling. He then went back for Annie whilst I set off. It was good chance to practice my map reading skills, as for the last few days I was happy to let Mike take over and direct me either giving instructions at regular intervals during out 'rest stops' or waving his arms madly at roundabouts where Annie had deposited him to make sure I took the right route! Saying that,...

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...

So, Day 3 over and done with. Covered a distance of 107 miles, with just over 8 hours spent in the saddle, and on 5 hours sleep from the previous night. It was gruelling to say the least, up and down the whole way, and when I wasn't on a gradient I was cycling into a headwind 80% of the time. Was during these times in particular when being in a group, or even just having another rider to rotate with, would have paid dividends. Having someone else to act as a win...