JOGLE day 6

It is rather difficult to reflect on today right now as we are fresh out of the briefing for tomorrows ride. It's only 9pm and most people are already in bed, that is how horrendous the route has been made to sound. Today was a walk in the park compared to what is ahead, we covered 108 miles and just over 3000ft of climbing on the journey from Aintree to Ludlow. Spirits were high once we got out of Liverpool and left the busy city and majority of rain behind us. I found myself in an efficient group and we were in at camp before 3pm which was a pleasant surprise, I used this time wisely, most of it has been spent refuelling!

Now at the end of day six I am starting to regret letting my competitive spirit override my self preservation. I have been approaching this cycle trip as a holiday but when I am challenged there is no choice but to accept. Two days ago I found myself in a breakaway, the only option was to take it on, then yesterday I thought I'd spice things up a little with suggesting some sprint stages. All of this was before I bumped into fellow cyclist Olympic Heptathlete Kelly Sotherton leaving the final pit stop just as I was entering, she announced rather loudly that her plan was to beat me to base camp with the threat of a boasting tweet. The race was on much to the disapproval of my slightly jaded group and after much persuasion I got the pace moving, we started to chase Kelly's pack. Any fatigue I might still be suffering was certainly worth the "win".