Yesterday we went through some truly hidden gems – today all we did was go past fields of gems, lettuces I believe. All of us commented on how flat it all was. Very deliverance! But all started well, all six of us washing our bikes, starting from 7am! Very impressive even if one Father washed his sons bike! Big brownie points owed there Dominic!

All looked good and to be fair the countryside started flying past again. Thats until we started cycling down some of the straightest roads this side of Lesbos! On and on and on and on. We stopped and all we could hear were duelling banjo’s. How do people live in this wilderness. Nothing but flat!

We stopped for a great lunch in Whittlesey ( I know how do you call a place after a piece of woodworked stick that is hundreds of miles from the ocean!). Believe it or not it was a Weatherspoons so at least we knew how to order.

Onward past even more flatness until `St Ives. What a gorgeous place. Back to reality and a Greggs. And then one of the most amazing things we all commented on. A guided bus route from St Ives to Cambridge, a truly amazing urban scheme, 12 miles of two way guided bus route and flying past us on the cycle lane at 60mph without a car to be seen. Awesome.

And then on to the highlight of the day. The Wright Meister Route took us through the centre of Cambridge. Past all the Colleges, Trinity included and Jesus Green and up to our Hotel. A great meal with plenty of banter and looking forward to our first ferry trip tomorrow on the ferry from Silvertown to Woolwich, the famous Woolwich Ferry and a night in Dartford. But what a day today. Those of us who have cycled in Holland thought that was flat but the Fens are very flat and in their own way veery interesting but not for us East Yorkshire folk (not true Wrighty is a “Comfort” from Wessie).

So today started a little flat and ended on a high. The boys are all doing well. Great camaraderie and a willingness to help each other which is what its all about. Special mention for Rick who didn’t know anybody but Wrightie yesterday but now is real member of the group. No other mentions tonight, not because there weren’t some stars, Bradley going on a breakaway (“Because it was so flat”), John (Is all this coffee free at Weatherspoons) Mark (telling those who couldn’t see the red light to go NOW), Dominic for having a Gin Sling at Weatherspoons (it doesn’t cost a lot), Steve for putting his leg warmers on (I’m cold). And of course Wrightie for falling for all the wind ups – all day.

There is now a group realisation that we might actually make it to Paris without seeing that seat next to Rick. I really hope we all do but it actually doesn’t matter – we have already achieved the most important thing. Friends are for life!