A short blog before a well earned meal and Lucy's official end of the day update - you might like to know that the blog is written every night after dinner and read to us as a bedtime story. Today was all about the hills, which will be reported, but the response this morning to the topography - oh yes, we're all talking bike geek now - was, 'what, a 9 mile uphill, 9 miles, all uphill, up hill for 9 miles?', it only sank in after about 2 miles when already puffing like an old steam train. No idea if the views were worth it as my vision was half way up still with my legs.

We've seen some excellent signs en route, starting with Live Reptile Food, Pigeon Food (heading North at this point), Closing Down Sale - thanks for your custom and finally today's favourite, Preston - Home of the Massive Onion.

We're all still friends, but everyone has started to reveal their own phrases and quirks, some as follows....

Mark Spragg - 'I know the way, why is no one listening to me, I used to live here'

Zoe - 'I need a happy bush' - such a lovely way of describing an au natruel loo stop

Neil - says nothing, just blasts past at 100 mph

Nick Mann - a cycling repetoire of punk bands, complains the least but looks like he needs his batteries recharged over dinner.

Kap - the downhill destroyer, 'why does anyone brake down a hill?'

Alistair - 'it's a net downhill', right, so there are some ups then

Me - 'go past me, I'm scared of going fast'

Mark Stafford - too much to mention really but 'oh look, were climbing, we're 500 feet above sea level, this is really useful information'

All - No Mark, it's not, and if you mention it again you can cycle back to London

Last day tomorrow, over 100 miles still to go, wish us well!

Kate