Today we needed to cycle from Thame to Saffron Walden.  The route planner said it would be around 65 – 70 miles.  James was still feeling the pain from his knee, so would not be riding with us today.

Once again Vicks did an amazing job of putting on a fantastic spread of Breakfast for everyone…our tummies were full of energy food and we were ready for the days cycling.

Being met at 9am by the Mayor of Thame, the team had a chance to talk about the ride and why we were doing it.  After more chat plus a few jokes and laughs, we had our usual photos taken before we set off on the road.

The head wind was still hindering the fast pace we all wanted to push for on the flat, but we still managed to clock up a few miles before getting onto some minor roads with less traffic…they are so much more comfortable to ride on.  With a lunch stop set for Baldock (a Tesco’s car park today), we had set a big target to hit before food…45 miles.

Cycling through some rolling hills that seemed to go on forever, we still managed to take in some of the beautiful scenery of Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.  We also managed to encounter some of the most inconsiderate and rude drivers in Bedfordshire…they top the league on that one now!

Making it to lunch at around 2:20pm, Vicks had once again provided us with all the right foods, and some nice treats as well.  Both Vicks and Kevin have given up their valuable time and a weeks holiday from work to help us out…and putting up with 4 or 5 moody and tired people who snap and bite all the time, must be hard…we are all very lucky to have them supporting us on this amazing trip!

After us all eating a massive chocolate bar (yes…it was massive), we set off for Saffron Walden, only to be temporarily held up by another broken spoke on Matt’s bike…it was time for him to bring out the spare, a highly rated Mavic Aksium wheel!  A quick cassette swap and we were off.  Hitting the rolling hills and amazing countryside for the final miles of the day.

After crossing three Motorways over the course of the day, we pushed ourselves with tired legs through the final few roads into Saffron Walden…only to get lost looking for the worst signposted YHA ever.  But determination to have a rest and a home cooked curry kindly made for us by Kevin, helped us sniff the place out.

With a fun evening and nice breakfast planned, thoughts are now turning to the final 100+ miles to be cycled over the next few days…oh, and who will be sprinting for the finish line at the Great Yarmouth Town Hall.

Until the next update, thank you for reading, and please give generously to the fund…every little helps!