Feb 28th. Well, the adventure is over. The over-riding feeling is one of sadness...that I'm not still doing it. Not sure the legs would have coped but I really do miss it. I am absolutely determined to keep cycling...it is a wonderful sport and pretty good exercise too. Just read Gandalf's (Les Causton, our team leader for the week) blog on his website...had a heart attack a couple of years ago...I am gobsmacked having seen what he has put himself through this week...what a man. Great to be home though and spent a really relaxing day & a half with Mags & the boys. Even went swimming today...hmm...maybe a triathlon next? A big thank you to everyone who has sponsored me. As you can see, I have raised more than I had dared hope to and that is down to everyone's generosity. Thank you thank you thank you.

Feb 26th. All of my right leg was hurting this morning and half of my left leg...but not enough to stop me from completing the ride. Having had a lot of rain, today was all about the wind. A Westerly blew straight into our faces all the way from Maidstone to Brasted on the A25...and I suffered my 1st 'pincture' of the week...it was a slow one so I had spent the previous 10 minutes wondering why I was struggling so much! Let JB fix it even though I could have...he seemes keen to help everyone & deservedly one our team's rider of the week award. For some reason I got well ahead of the team at one point and decided to carry on for a bit on my own...it had been rather too stop & start especially with Andrew from Amlin riding a bike with wheels to small for the bike much to Gandalf's amusement. Andrew finally dropped back to a slower group and the guys set off in pursuit of me. I waited for them at the bottom of Biggin Hill which we all then climbed together. It was carnage...bodies & bikes all over the place with lots of people having to walk...none of us did but I had to stop twice to get more air into the lungs. We then cruised into lunch in Farnborough at our own pace. Paul Madeira, CEO of Causeway, one of the sponsors, then turned up in a taxi having decided the hills were too steep...priceless. We then cycled through London to Twickenham as a team...a good pace and I think we were the last team to get to Richmond Rugby Club on time (3pm) having completed the right route...the worst bit was undoubtedly the hill in Richmond Park...almost finished me off. Everyone (who had got there) rode into Twickenham together and after a bit of hanging around, we met with Prince Harry. I invited to him to the party that night and offered him my bike but apparently he hasn't learned to ride one! Nice fella though and clearly enjoyed the banter with everyone. Party at St. Margaret's was very good...great to see Lawrence & his missus dancing to 500 miles by the Proclaimers with the GK guys. What a 43rd birthday...one to remember. 

Feb 25th. Day 3...a tough, tough day. Started off OK, Montreuil to Calais...team Gandalf rode well together and made it to the cafe in a small village outside Calais in time for a well deserved beer and a great photo opportunity with Rafael Ibanez. Everyone on the stage plus some Eurotunnel guys cycled together into Calais and onto the train...the first people to do so...apparently we had the whole train to ourselves. Police escort out of Folkestone & stopped for soup & mars bars at Folkestone Rugby Club. 70km gone, 50km to Maidstone to go. It was then that 2 things happened...the rain started to fall & the team's luck ran out. Ross had 3 'pinctures' all of which too 20m to 30m to repair which meant we not only had been overtaken by all the other teams on the road, but all of the support vehicles too. Once we had about 15km to go, it was decided that it was every man for himself to get to the hotel (alas I wasn't part of that discussion so having been dawdling at the back the race was one with me 50 metres behind!). I cycled as hard as I could but ran out of energy and never quite got back to the rest of the team...it was dark, very wet, the A20 was busy with lorries, I had no phone or map and I had no idea which hotel we were staying in! Thanks to French Fred & his balloons I picked up the scent and actually caught up with JB before the hotel and we rode in together at 5.30pm UK time having left in the morning at 7.00am UK time. We were the last 2 to finish...and there was absolutely nobody outside to greet us...they had already taken the banners down and everyone was in the hotel getting warm & dry...bloody charming. For the one & only time this week I was feeling pretty fed up...however a good night out in Pizza Express in Ashford cheered me up.

Feb 24th. Second day over! Almost 100km today from Thiepval to Montreuil. Started the day with a ceremony at the anglo-french 1st WW memorial...fitting that Lawrence should have Rafael Ibanez with him for the day. Very moving for all of us and made us not be too concerned re our lot. Much better weather and the sun even came out in the afternoon...lost 3 from yesterday to other groups but picked up Ross Elliott and then Jeffers & my room mate Mike Brooks after they got detached from their team. Killer climb at the end of the day with cobbles to boot. Legs & backside in need of a rest. Team had first pincture (JB) although we didn;t realise until we had cycled about 3km ahead...downhill. So 3 of us trooped back to get him but his bike repair skills saw him through without us. Looking forward to seeing Wozza & Adrian fined for slip-streaming the doctor's range rover. A few questions on what I have experiences so far...1. Are French dogs trained to bark at rosbifs? 2. could one French person please tell an english person the correct directions when asked politely in future? 3. why can't british roads be like French roads? 4. what is the best cream for a sore backside? 5. if my Grandfather hadn't been taken POW at the Somme, would I be here? I need a drink... 

Feb 23rd. First day done! Over 90km from Clermont (just o/s Paris) to Albert. Very very wet and therefore very cold too. Trip over to Paris fine. Hotel average. Evening out good at Les Ami des Barbarians near Arc de T and left at 11 so the leg 2 riders could enjoy themselves. Photo at Stade de F then after bus ride we got into our teams and got on our bikes. Respect to the GK girls (Julie, Sara, Rachel, Hayley & Elaine) for crashing within 20 metres of the start. Lost a couple of our guys at lunchtime through injury but the rest of us (Gandalf, me, Wozza, JB, Kierstan, Julian & Andrew) had a productive afternoon. No disasters for us...not even a 'pincture' as Pierre calls it. Longest ride ever but hugely enjoyable and great to ride with other people! Evening dinner at Best Western in Albert...good to see the spirit of all rugby tours past is alive & well on this tour...Lawrence was judge & jury & dispensed justice for various indiscretions like a pro. Will Greenwood cycled for a half & day then went home...

Feb 21st. Off to Paris tomorrow - latest weather forecast is for rain but max temp of 13c and a southerly wind. Not sure I have the clothes for those barmy temperatures! Handed the bike over on Friday and spent most of the w/e with separation anxiety. Final trip to Phil Corley Cycles on Saturday for last minute panic guidance and even more accessories. They have continued to be generous in their support for my intrepid challenge although financially the support is lessening...having squeezed some snazzy bib shorts out of them 2 months ago, all I got this time was a 'Tour de France' water bottle...of which they had clearly over ordered at some time in the past. Great article in the S Times from P Kimmage today...I wonder who I am going to be sharing with??? Family been tremendously supportive to the end...Mags in for a long week. Last piece of the jigsaw fitted last night...apparently you are supposed to 'fuel up' ahead of this sort of prolonged strenuous exercise...so I took the advice to heart in Man Do on the Midland Road in Bedford...between 4/5 of us we got through 6 bottles of red and numerous different Chinese dishes before hitting the stage for a Karaoke session...John Travolta (Summer Nights) and Jon Bon Jovi (Living on a Prayer) need not fear my singing! I consider myself ready now! Thanks to everyone for their support...hit my targets but hopefully can continue to push on toward £4k over the course of the coming weeks. I'll try to update this blog during the week...

Feb 14th. One week tomorrow...just hope we have more luck than the 'advance party'...first snow in Rome in 25 years meant the 1st stage had to be abandoned after 50km...day 2 looks to have been fun too...167km for most but for those that took a wrong turn it was even more and took up to 10 hours to complete. Then to cap it all some went back to Rome to watch Italy v England...from what I saw (1st half) it was dreadful but according to Steve Borthwick there was a lot to be positive about...err, anyone know what he is talking about? Training is continuing despite the continued poor weather here...90 mins or so on Thursday and Saturday then my longest ride yet, 2 hours 35 mins this afternoon. Feel great and could have carried on (except it was 6.15pm and pitch black!)...augurs well I suppose although still think I am short of a really long ride or two. Bike great. Saw two barn owls on the ride today...a real treat! About to send out final request for sponsorship...gone through the £2k target which is really pleasing and want to see how close I can get to £3k by the end of this week. Mark 

Feb 7th. We travel to Paris 2 weeks tomorrow. It's far too soon...I'm not ready yet! Fitness will be lacking, but I should have enough in the tank to complete the ride. I have managed to cycle 3 days in a row, which is a first...turbo on Friday evening, 1 hour early Saturday and almost 2 hours this afternoon. It's just vv hard trying to fit it all in between work and family commitments...Mrs. B is being very supportive. The new bike is great...really enjoying riding it. No doubt I have got the bug. People still being incredibly generous although one or two have said they haven't sponsored me yet because they didn't think I would actually do the ride due to work commitments. Pushing onto £2k now which is really great news. I will send out one more plea before the ride in the hope of getting through that barrier. Thinking of the core team who start this week from Rome...good luck guys and see you in Paris...hopefully after England have beaten Italy and moved to the top of the 6N table. Thanks for your support. Mark. 

Jan 23rd. Bit of a saga on the bike since last update. I wasn't happy with the one I bought so went back to today and replaced it. I now have a Specialized Allez (the French will like that) having had a Trek Pilot before. I think there was a mistake at the fitting so Phil Corley Cycles have been incredibly helpful again by selling me a better bike for the same price as the first one...I'd still recommend them. Did 2 hours today on the original bike...almost got to Kimbolton before having to turn back. Plenty of blackberry use whilst cycling to keep up with Reading beating Burnley in FA Cup! Latest clothing purchase...tights...you've gottta love the gear. Hopefully do another 2 hours tomorrow am before taking the 2 oldest to Rugby. Really pleased with sponsorship so far...£1355...original target was a grand, pushed it up to £1.5k and hopefully will try to get to £2k. Despite the economy, other competing charity requests etc, people are incredibly generous. Mark

Jan 11th. Successful bike purchase along with rather fetching 'bib shorts', cycling shoes, overshoes and ear warmers! If you are ever in the Milton Keynes area (!!!) and need anything bike related go to Phil Corley Cycles...they were really helpful. During the bike fitting they proved something I have always thought...I have the torso of a 6 footer but the legs of a...anyway...thanks to those that have responded to my plea for further sponsorship at the weekend...much appreciated. Just checked the Dallaglio Cycle Slam website...they've upped our leg to 417km and the last day (26th February...er hem...my birthday) is now 155km long! I haven't cycled that far in total since my 'training' started in November! When's the big thaw coming? I need to get out there! Mark   

Jan 9th. Thanks to all those who have donated so far. It really is much appreciated. I am only 6 weeks away now...time has flown and the training is really yet to take off. Trying to get good 'saddle time' in the current conditions is very hard. Apart from the treacherous road surfaces, it is f-f-f-freezing out there and the hands and feet get cold very quickly. Today is a momentous day as I am going to get fitted for a proper racing bike (I need as much equipment help that I can get)...thanks Mum...and will also buy some much needed clothing etc...thanks to David Millar and Gerbil for the tips. Still short of my money-raising target so if anyone else can find a few spare quid to support Sport Relief and the Dallaglio Foundation, I would be most grateful. Best wishes, Mark.