After a rub with big bad Bazza, the masseur at the Falcons we had a press call at the hotel and then set off through Leeds on the way to Manchester. The temperature was in the 20's and we were in good spirits if at little sore from yesterday.

Guy lent me his extra padded shorts and my backside was feeling at great deal more comfortable than yesterday. We cycled through Dewsbury and Huddersfield and towards the Woodhead Pass. We had heard a lot about this road and were slightly concerned it could finish us both off. 

I have never been through this part of the country before and the Peak District is certainly a great place to go cycling..........if you enjoy cycling up ridiculously steep and long hills. The worst was by far and away the mile climb we had which took us up to about 550 metres above sea level, about 450 metres above where we started. This climb in only a mile was a physical killer and a real mental test as yesterday I would definately have got off for a breather but I managed to get to the top thanks to a lad who had been in an exam this morning and was out letting off some steam. He cycled up next to me, not out of breath at all which I could not believe, and then helped me to the top of the hill. If you are reading this mate, thanks very much for all your help - it was so pleasing for me to complete that hill and I was very close to getting off and having a rest if it had not been for you. Guy got up to the top and down the other side managed an unbelievabel 50 miles an hour. Steve our support driver was driving the van at 48 mph and Guy was gaining on him for a while - crazy lunatic. I was going at a much more leisurely pace looking at the sheep and wondering f my front wheel was going to fall off!

We got to Sale RFC and were greeted by Steve Hanley (thanks mate!) and the rest of the team. Another fantastic day which Guy and I are both really pleased to have completed in good time. We now look forward to cycling to Leicester tomorrow (85 miles). The worst and most scary thing is that Bazza is leaving us for a couple of days tomorrow and we are going to have to try to get some other form of recovery in - apart from the ice baths!