Almost there. Bikes checked. Transport organised. Just packing and the webmistress trained.

Last but not least the white ride t-shirts are made and ready to alternate with the MS Society retina burning orange ones.

All systems go! Pembroke here we come.

With only a week to go, both cyclists are toning down their training to be in the best possible shape - unfortunately while the riders are shaping up well, both bikes are suffering.

Paul's bike suffered a broken seatpost last Friday while out training, and Richard's bike has still not recovered from it's collision with a football and the front brake is still causing concern.

As the weekend was scheduled for lighter training, both boys opted to play tennis in the Veterans League on Sunday morning and try out their fast-twitch muscles, winning 3 out of 4 sets. Not bad for cyclists!

With a week to go and £1300 pledged, it is time for a final push to reach the target of £1500.

Paul and Richard were both out training last weekend after a couple of weeks during which the training programme had been disrupted by work and holidays.

The beautiful Welland Valley was part of Paul's training loop this time, covering 81 miles.

In the meantime Richard did a figure of eight, going out to Atherstone, Warks and back home for lunch, before setting out for Oakham, arriving home for tea and cakes...and sausages and potatoes ...and more cake and cheese and biscuits. Well 83 miles burns a lot of calories!

Both cyclists are pleased to see the total raised now stands at £1100.

Training continued last Saturday 10th July with both cyclists actually cycling together to break the 70 mile barrier.

Selecting a route through the country lanes of East Leicestershire and Rutland, Paul and Richard looped round Rutland Water via Uppingham, Morcott and Wing. After stopping at Empingham for a very satisfactory pub lunch, the pair headed for Exton before passing through Burley on the Hill and down to Langham for a cup of tea with Richard's parents.

After covering the last 20 miles, Paul and Richard arrived home late afternoon in good spirits. Both bikes and riders covered the distance without undue mishap and ready for the next training ride.

With 2 commitments to fulfill during the weekend of July 3rd and 4th Richard knew he would struggle to keep to his training regime. However, he managed enough miles to finish up only 14 miles short of his weekly target.

On the Saturday he visited the Mobility Roadshow at the East of England Showground, Peterborough with his wife, Barbara, who has MS. When you visit an event like this you are amazed by the ingenuity of some of the gadgets on show, humbled by the bravery of people in the face of adversity and saddened by the children who have such a tough start in life.

Richard and Barbara saw the Red Wheelies (as featured on TV) in action. A formation team of red t-shirted MS patients on silver mobility scooters who show that life can be fun if you are prepared to push the boundaries and in the process have raised £15,000 for good causes. They have toured the length of Hadrian's Wall and done the Pilgrim's Way on their scooters and, strictly in the cause of science, have found the optimum speed for traversing cattle grids. Apparently go too slowly and a scooter gets stuck, but go too fast and the rider and scooter go their seperate ways.

They met Rob from Essex, who was great company all day. If you see this Rob, Richard and Barbara say hi!

On Sunday Richard played in a fun, but competitive Sunday tennis afternoon. Our thanks go to Cath for putting up with him.

Paul took his mountain bike to the Derbyshire Peak District on 26th June and setting out about 10.30 cycled around the countryside between Hathersage and Castleton, taking in the Lady Bower reservoir.

By 6.30 Saturday night he had come into intimate contact with several bits of Derbyshire he didn't wish to know, and his rear wheel and front mech were a slightly different shape in the evening compared to the morning!

On Sunday he got up early and with his usual determination managed a few more hills and dales before returning to Leicestershire.

Hard weekend in the heat.

Paul went mountain biking in Derbyshire to improve his climbing ready for the Brecons. Details to follow.

Richard meanwhile cycled to Belvoir Castle on Saturday and found he needed to work on his climbs. The Vale of Belvoir is very pleasant on the valley floor, but getting out of it via Pasture Lane, Hose is very tough, particularly in 26 degrees. Is this what our intrepid duo will face in August?

On Sunday Richard cycled to Wigston Tennis Club past Victoria Park. Summer league football was in progress on the park. Striker kicks for goal and misses (should he play for England), the ball flies into the road, hits a car which smacks it straight into Richard's front wheel. Despite Richard surviving the impact, there seems to be damage to the front brakes so another trip to the bike shop on Monday.

But it is all worth it. Thank you to all our sponsors so far - the total today stands at £615.

The British summer continues to throw up weather that would grace November. A tough Saturday with a very strong NE wind making travel on a bike a cold and tiring experience.

Congratulations to the cyclists who made it to Skegness this month, raising enough money to pay for the MS Drop-in lift. A great effort!

Now well into the training programme, both Paul and Richard have suffered minor equipment failures.

Paul's pedal broke during the first week and Richard's rear wheel developed a wobble. The pedal has been replaced and and the rear wheel has had it's cones tightened until it squeaked!

Fortunatly both bikes are now back in full working order and training continues apace.