"Dear all. We hit 1000 miles today, in a field of sunflowers near asti. The alps have been on the horizon all day - we're in the foothills this evening. Push on in the morning, uphill we presume...x'
Still got a sense of humour after all those miles, a bad one, but a sense of humour none the less.

I'm becoming increasingly worried about their Coke habit

Sunburn and sore bits

Well it's been well over a week since they set off and our boys are certainly clocking up the miles! They managed to speed through Greece in just 4 days, covering over 300 miles, but they are now feeling the (saddle) burn! The Bugs are enjoying the taste of younger flesh and Milo is being eaten alive, whereas Andy is developing a 'Jeremy Beadle' right hand due to excessive breaking. That apart they're doing really well and have opted for a slight route change after discovering just how dangerous Albania can be when you're on a bike and don't have a gun.
The boys took a night ferry from northern Greece to Bari, southern Italy and enjoyed the crossing from the comfort of the penthouse suite known as the deck. They're now working their way up the coast enjoying a few cheeky Coke sessions en route.
Over and out,
Basecamp
P.S. Check out Andy's disturbing facial hair in the attached pictures. Now we know why he never grows it, he'd be allowed nowhere children if he did. Terrifying!

Well they can tick that off the list.

And they're off!! Our intrepid travellers have finally set sail ( well easyjet flight 456 to Athens) and are on the open road. So far reports back prove that Athens is hot. No, no, not like this token bit of sunshine we're having at the moment in England hot, but PROPER hot. This seems to come as a bit of a shock to Milo and Mee....Hmmmm.....What other surprises are in store we wonder?

"The Cyclist in (Elgin) Marble"

Thanks Denise!!!

BASE CAMP...

Roding Road has been a hive of action this week - the tent set up in the kitchen, bits of bike and maps strewn like confetti.

Stalwart trip supporter Newman (left) has taken a lead role in organising finances, routes, insurance and media events. She'll be manning the phones and the blog while we're away...

23 days to go...

IT'S HAPPENING

So...one marathon (26 miles) later, the news is...

Preparation for the trip is in earnest: or rather, Milo is knee-deep in body parts and text books, and Andy is wrangling over 'A View From the Bridge' with teenagers who wouldn't know an A* if it bit them on the nose. Nine weeks 'til take-off, and the route is still very much 'a bit of a North-West wander' - but at least the blog's up (thanks Jonathon..and Newman at base-camp) and Milo has a new bike (thanks, goodwill claim..) And Andy's had loads of protein drinks (thanks, the Georgian...)

Test blog

preview