Day 4

04:52..... My bladder in forms me if I don't go now he'll remind me what its like to wet the bed!.......
Last night at diner I met 2 police chap from Bristol aslo MAMIL's ( middle aged men in lucra! ) they were cycling from Bristol to Falmouth, Small world. All of us were up to our rooms by  19.30. Light weights I know .
Still, rested and spurred on by lovely text messages and well wishes, oh and the promise of a roast and drinks with friends tonight, I head off. No complaint from my bottom or legs? I here you ask..... Well yes but more of a low whimpering than complaint. Other than my right knee which now appears to be squeaking! Every rotation. Yes, I to thought it was the bike but its the knee for sure. A few more beeps of horns and waves from well wishers (there has been a few over the days) although that last drivers wave looked a lot more like a hand gesture to me! Having thought my I-Spy was complete I soon spot a rabbit shortly followed by a seagull more bonus points. Now the roads have been quiet, did see anything for nearly an hour! Then bladder shouts for a stop, ok ok. Well as you probably guessed, everyone and his mother drove passed! I just waved....
That was shortly followed by a game of chicken with a pheasant, so I guess that should be a game of pheasant. Down a single track, high banked lane, it stood and stared me out. Look mate, I've been through too much , I'm coming through. I swear at that point it scraped its foot like a bull and charged me! How we missed each other i'll never know.
Hills, Yeap they were big but roast diner and drinks with friends got me through. There was one moment, when I was smuggly thinking I'd made all the hills, I turned the corner and unexpectedly saw 14% aaaggh wrong gear, nearly came to a stop but just made it. Now in a nice hot bath, with my legs singing a happy song. Just 30miles tomorrow and with company, yeah

Day 4 additional.

Don't know how I forgot to tell you this .
The downhills were back on form today , lots of wwweeeeee factor. One was nearly a miles of free wheeling, ( I deserved it ) .Once I had to start peddling again, a 'ping' and the right calf let out a yell.......cramp. Now, poor motorist must have been wetting themselves, a MAMIL, rolling around at the side of the road clutching his leg in the air. Yeap, very funny, NOT! Took 5 mins to pass....

The Final 30 miles

Waking up was really strange this morning. The house was quite and I just lay there thinking '242 miles I've cycled, that's just mad!' 30 left to go.
Tony had said he'd ride with me today to keep me company, which was great . After a bacon bap we set off on a beautiful morning. The rolling countryside just passed me by without incident, as I was too happy to worry about the hills, I just couldn't wipe the great big smile off my face.
The view into St Michael's was utterly amazing and we stopped for coffee to take it in. After this Tony had planned a little trip on a cycle path! Which turned out to be a little more off road than he recalled, all I could think is , please no punctures now. Only 10 miles left. The climb out of Penzance was a still challenge with a great big buzzard, perched watching our efforts.
With only a few miles left to go as we pootled on,I gave Tony a couple of verses of the Flumps song to keep him going. At this point I though I was going to add another item to the I-Spy book.....Tony. some lady bimbled out into the road, in her slippers and nearly took him out....
As I started to freewheel down the final straight I could see Liz, Josh and Tina waving. A tear in my eye waving like a Loony, I came to a stop. I made it. A pop of a cork and the bubbly flowing, we all laughed.
I was just like to thank everyone for all your kind words and well wishes, they really have kept me going.
Was it fun ? I hear you ask..err well no.
Was it enjoyable?...well in places, yes
Do you feel a sense of achievement?...HELL yes, with the exception of marrying Liz and having Josh , Em and Scott, without doubt this is the single most proudest moment of my life .

Pain !

It's just typical isn't it. Did my last 60miles cycle before I cycle down to Cornwall and everything is hurting! My shoulder is in a right state, hasn't been this bad for ages ( old car accident injury) had to resort to tramadol to help me sleep, my legs feel like lead and to top it all I've got a blinking tooth ache! and the last few mornings it's been freezing........ psychologically this isn't helping.

Cycling Mirror

Just awaiting a helmet mirror. Wasn't going to get one but have read some good things on how useful they are. Anything to help keep me safe has got to be a bonus

1 Week to go

Yeap looking at the date and pooping my pants ! Gunna be really hard work I think. Started getting stuff together to take and then looking at what I can leave behind to save weight!
well weather could be anything according to long term forecast, either way I guess it doesn't matter as i've got to do it whatever. Did my last 60 mile training run and legs still tired today so doing that 4 and 1/2 days on the trot should be interesting. I'm very grateful for the support from you all and your encouragement .
well next time I post is likely to be the day I leave...........

Tough day

Just over two weeks to go and out for another 60 miles today. strong head wind in places and two punctures! legs feel like lead this evening. Getting a bit anxious about the cycle as it draws nearer !!! resting for two days now so hope that will aid recovery.....