Had a decent week’s training – 215 miles covered, 11,316 feet climbed at an average speed of 14.4mph – whatever…..no more cycling until I am in Astoria Oregon. I have a couple of routes loaded into my Garmin with a map set for North America so assuming British Airways are kind to my bike next Thursday will see me riding there.

Sue is now aware just how much stuff I have been hiding around the house as I gather it all in one place for packing – this is when I miss working as I used to have it all delivered to the office and often kept it there too.

Lots of people to thank for helping me get to this place – obviously Sue who has patiently listened to me talk of doing this trip for 25 years, Bruce and Elliot who inspired me through their own adventures but also my personal trainer Des Gough who has patiently subjected me to appropriate levels of torture for 16 years now. Sometimes he has seemed more excited than me about this challenge and over the last few months has focussed on routines to help me with the more specific physical needs of the trip.

Des introduced me to Beverley Gibbs – a nutritional therapist – who has helped me understand the nutritional requirements I am placing on myself and how to modify my diet to maximise energy and recovery as well as performance. Additional benefits were getting down to 73Kg and 30″ waist trousers – the last time that happened was 1972.

Next post from the USA!!!!