Peterborough United

A pattern of pain is the order of each day. It takes about 10 miles to get rid of the stiffness in the leg muscles. Then for 20 miles I feel fine and pedal along well. Then my backside gets a bit sore from hitting numerous potholes and rough surfaces. From 40 miles, my hands go numb and I have to start swinging my arm round to get the feeling back. From 60 miles on, everything hurts. When I come to a small hill the power in the legs I had at the start has dissipated and I have to get into a low gear to wobble my way to the top. When I stop for more than a few minutes my legs seem to scream at me and I feel a little sick until I warm up again so I tend to try and keep going until I get to the destination.

I arrived at Peterborough United in good time today. A combination of tail wind and flatter terrain being the best explanation. Phil Adlam met me and took me into the ground. He said that most people have left but he went off to try and catch Keith Alexander. I wandered around the pitch and talked to the groundsman. His son had had a kidney transplant and football people had raised most of the appeal money. Phil returned with a signed programme from Keith Alexander from the recent Posh game against Everton. Phil took my photo and I set off for my B&B just around the corner. If the London hotel was posh this is definitely not! A small room with single bed and wash basin with a tiny telly on top of a wardrobe. Still the warm bed is all I want. I have arranged my whole trip around tomorrow when Boston play the Bulls. I hope I get there in time and don't get a puncture!