**** you, virus; all dripping nose, spluttering cough, nasty rash and sensitive nerves. **** you lack of sleep, eyelids drooping. **** you forgotten helmets and punctured tyres. **** you bitter cold night, and neverending space and time. **** you Canary Wharf, with your windy streets and unfriendly rules. **** you to missed signs, leading to wasted miles and wrong turns. And **** you London roads - every lump, **** and bump.

But thanks to caring friends, generous donators and 4,000 fellow do-gooders. Thanks to a bike that is well oiled and shifting smoothly. Thanks to free cycle surgeries, to 'Spicy Bikers' crisps, and an early dawn. Thanks to stunning landscapes and landmark buildings. Thanks to high-fives and whoops from strangers. And thanks especially to Luke, with his hot thermos of coffee at 4.30am.

Another 25km still to go...

O' what joy
To complete a task
In one glorious fell swoop
Without follow-up call,
Repeat visit,
Or returns label

A single entwined mass
Swims in moonlit aquamarine
Anchored against torid tides

With tipsy eyes turned towards alternate shores,
Tongues wag tales to while away time

Two mariners pre-mourning the moment
When water forces empty space
Between their tangled fleet

If I was asked to
Fold my life in two,
I'd place the crease
Where I discovered Tool

Brutality and barbarism

Broken bodies,
Brittle hearts,
Bruised egos

Bitterness breeds

Brazen boots
Build borders,
Beat drums

*******

A nap,
Planned,
But not taken

What better way
To while the time,
Than with our arms
Thus intertwined