Day 5 - A third done.

Day 5 !! Crazy, even though its been the longest 5 days ever, it seems to have gone quickly (not quickly in the sense of pedalling of course !)

After a much needed bit of R&R last night and an opportunity to catch up with my munchkins - it was time to leave Wales again - next time I enter Wales, out challenge will be complete.

 

Some fabulous support again saw us off in style - with some added guests - new riders Emma (an old school friend), Gary (Emma's colleague), their support vehicle, young master Haz Ridge (superbly supported again by the rest of the Ridge clan) and our esteemed MP Madeleine Moon, together with family, friends and the wonderful SWW MNDA Branch committee (Jill, Sheila and Lesley).

With captain of the day (Floydy) at the helm, armed with local knowledge and plenty of research - surely nothing could go wrong ?!? An hour into the journey and we were already off course ;) but local roadworks and impromptu diversions didn't help. 

At this point, Im wishing I'd heeded the advice I saw this morning :-

But onwards and upwards we went, undeterred by inclement weather and rogue Garmin instruction. 

We got into Hereford, more opportunities for some pics and emergency bike repairs before heading off to lunch. 

#awfulposing

Another few counties knocked off the list today and its pleasing to see how far we're actually getting now. (Crazy to think this time next week we'll be in Scotland somewhere) 

Despite the now customary navigational hiccups, today has been a good day. 

It was great to have the support of Madeleine and great to catchup with old friends. We're staying in another youth hostel but even that isn't too bad (even for Mr Ridge). 

At dinner this evening we had a much needed 'lessons learnt' discussion which should stand us in good stead for tomorrow's mammoth 96 miler and the other days ahead. 

The one thing that will remain constant through all this, through all the fatigue, frustrations and mishaps is that in order to get to the end, we'll need to work together. And I have no concerns that we cannot do that, half of us didn't know each other from Adam before embarking on this journey - now we're having to gel quickly to achieve our daily objectives. 

Team Cycle4MND - now the challenge begins in earnest.