When I woke up yesterday morning I thought it was going to be one of the worst days we were going to have all week but it actually turned out to be one of the best for many reasons.

Leaving the Hilton at Heathrow in the pouring rain and with my legs in a grim state was a really bad start but Guy, John Sleightholme and myself were looking to get into a good flow and reach Wasps, our first stop for the day. We headed out towards Windsor and Eton which was a nice way to be riding. I think we must have hit Eton College at the end of a lesson as all the guys in their bizarre uniforms were in the town as we were cycling through. That took my mind off the pain in my legs for at least a minute!

Past Eton we were on course for Wycombe Wanderers ground and finally we began to find the going slightly easier. John told me to get as close to his back wheel as I dared which would make riding for me a bit easier and Guy did the same to my bike - it actually worked. I only thought that it would make a difference in motor sports where the cars and bikes are traveling at a quick speed but it seemed we were going along at a pace which would work too. The gradual hill into Wycombe and the drop down to the ground was fantastic but I was immediately thinking of the hill back out the other side, however, I decided to just enjoy riding on the bike and not having to pedal!

John had added a real target for Guy and I and he was acting as a sort of pace maker which made things much easier for the two of us who had nothing left in the tank...... He mentioned the hill heading out of Wycombe and I was thinking to myself that it would not be as bad as the hill we climbed in the Peak District a few days before but in terms of pain, it was just as bad if not worse. It was about a mile long but by far the steepest hill I have seen all week but when you know that it is the only way to go there is not really a lot you can do about it. With my legs on fire, I tried to stay as close to John as I could, not the easiest thing I have ever tried to do, while Guy had a bad time on the hill. It drained every bit if energy from us but the really weird thing on a bike is even though your heart rate goes through the roof, your recovery rate is much better so we were back on track soon after the 5 or 6 minutes of agony.

We cycled through Rickmansworth, Amersham and ended up reaching Watford and Vicarage Road where Saracens play in good time. A couple of photos there, a sandwich and a quick chat with the team who had met us there and we were on our way again. Heading back down towards Heathrow to Harlequins. 

The weather had got worse again, so we were wet through and cold but the end seemed to be getting ever closer and strangely enough from Watford onwards I was in no pain at all and probably could have cycled on further - if I had needed to. But I didn't.

My Mum and Sister were coming to cycle with us for a couple of miles into The Stoop and it was good to see them, especially as my Sister was on a really small bike - that was quite amusing. We reached the Twickenham base of Harlequins, met up with my Dad and managed to find somewhere warm for us to stay before heading over to Twickenham and the finish. 

Getting back onto the bikes after a nice break in the warmth was rank as we had to go back into the cold and rain in our clothes which were soaked through. Only a mile left though so it was a case of just getting on with it.

It was really good to see Dave Walder from Wasps as we got there and I must say thanks to the idiot security guard who did his job to the letter and made us wait in the cold even though he knew we were due to arrive there. Enough said!

With photos and interviews done at pitch side we cycled around the pitch which was great. Just for Kids' representative Dan gave Guy and I a really nice gift with a CD in - it looked like we had a record that had gone platinum, that sort of thing, but it was really nice anyway.

Thanks very much to Jamie, Mike, Nikki and Neil who all came out to say well done and also for everyone's support during this week. They all came back to the Hilton and we had a few beers and a great meal together. It was great for Guy and I to get back into some kind of normality and it was great to be able to celebrate finishing with other people.

Writing this the morning after the day before I am starting to realise how far we have cycled and what we have achieved in this past week. I have really enjoyed being with everyone in the team and I shall look back on the Challenge with fantastic memories. 

I just want to thank HM Plant for their massive contribution to the Charity. John, your support had been great and I hope this challenge has been something good for HM Plant to be involved in. Thanks also to the Cycle Centre in Byker, Linda at Gatorade and 'Fart' at RP Martin for getting sponsorship in from those guys in London. Thanks to Ben for all his hard work during the week, a great effort. Claire, I have never known someone work as hard and your eye for a photo opportunity is second to none. Steve, you have made this cycle possible and without you it would have been impossible to do - even if you struggled with the sat nav at times! Charlotte, even though you were not here all week, thanks for your help with everything. Barrie, thanks for your massages and I look forward to having a couple more over the next couple of days. Guy, it has been great getting to know you and a pleasure to ride the distance with you going through all the emotions we have done over the past week. Thanks for organising the Hilton contribution to the challenge, an unbelievable effort and something that would have put a real strain on everything if you had not been so supportive of the idea.

One of the best weeks I have ever had and I will remember it for the rest of my life - but will now go on holiday and happily do nothing for the next 4 weeks!