In a break with the "norm" let's do the stats first!

Mileage 135.8 miles in the day (another new record); saddle time 9hrs 58mins; time out on the ride 12hrs 40mins; average speed 13.5mph......that was a tough day!

It was actually the day we were all dreading the most - day 3 is always considered the worst, longest mileage, longest saddle time, and we are all very tired, so we started the day quietly and got on the road at 8.30am. No one wanted to drive the team on so we gently ambled in Edinburgh and even did a really nice bike route, before arriving in town without support vehicle to guide us. We then went on to prove the art of non map reading as we are all used to sat nav (or "stat nav" as Uncle Jim calls it) and we promptly got lost! What should have been a simple job and a lunch on the A7 south of Edinburgh at 12.30pm ended up starting at 2.15pm....we were in real trouble, we had only covered the first 1/3rd of the ride and time was very late.

So what happened next was remarkable. We came together as a team for the first time and made amends. Aided by some stunning weather, the sky opened up, the road to Gala Shields opened up and we hit the road - 1hr later on tired legs the peleton had covered 20miles.....yes 20mph. And we pushed on and put in quick time after quick time as we powered on through riling country side and big climbs and big defends were eaten up,in the same manor.

At lunch we estimated a 10.30pm arrival; even Coach Jim offered us a bottleof Champaign each if we made the hotel by 9pm (he only makes very safe bets) - how he was sweating as we crossed the boarder at 8.10pm and hit Carlisle just before 9. He quickly reminded us that it was hotel before 9pm and as he was the only one with a "stat nav" we had to follow him in, and he wasn't in a hurry......! We did however get real interest as we drove in as a group behind the support van with hazards blazing and bike lights flashing, so much so a gang of local kids joined us for the "rush" and did wheelies along side us with their wheel lights fully ablaze. We knew how the successful fishermen feel when they come back to harbour with the Dolphins swimming along side - it was great.

And that actually summed up the day of dread - it was great, and here we are in Carlisle ready to push on back to Bolton for the half way party and a night in our beds ahead of us.

Confidence is high, but injuries are mounting. Not surprising after 370 miles in 3 days, but there are knee problems, achilles problems, hand problems and the enviable saddle problems, but nothing serious hopefully. Chris became faller No.2 (didn't de clip fast enough) so just pride hurt, and Vinnie fell into a bush but stayed upright so a near miss only.

Brandon