Courtesy of Macmillan Nurses (we might need them for mainstream medical duties) here is a view of the world-famous Kent Himalayas and the route we take on Day 1

Dreaming of a White Easter

Ed and the old 'un set off in blizzard conditions on Easter Monday to put in a bit of training. Not quite the conditions expected in northern France in July but no doubt good for the soul. Having just seen the Himalayan nature (hence, perhaps, the afore-mentioned weather) of the journey through Kent on the Day 1 of the Ride we went for hill-climbing rather than distance and did survive doing nearly half the anticipated ascent due for Day 1. Correction, the old 'un survived: borrowing Ed's speedster gave him a considerable advantage as Ed was pedalling round on the old 'un's steed which, though not heavy by 19th century standards, is still less than anorexic. He suffered on the sprint finish through the P Bar suburbs, trailing in a distant second.