So the mat I shall try and sort, puncture patches and all that but they look as if they've been 'holed up' well and proper. Morning started the journey further North. Hopefully Birmigham to make a little delivery and then ride on up to Burton on Trent. But I was pretty smashed.
Three miles in and I got to this private park that was managed by the residents.
It might have only been three miles since I departed with breakkie in the form of a Nature bar (probably) and a missus-made wrap. But my bottom was rather sorry for itself so I had this much earned beautiful coffee..
I needed motivation to keep plodding along. Noticed the grass-blade in my rear mech. So the 'carry the blade of grass across the Chilterns' was born. Or if you're from certain parts of the country, 'Chil'uns'. It was a tough one and once going fast downhill to get myself up the hill, I thought I'd almost lost it. All i needed to get to was Whipsnade Zoo and i was almost home free.
This is when Bison Hill showed it's ugly head. You see, even during the initial development of this route which I was riding backwards, I never quite made it to Bison. A 20% I'd added for the charity-riders to enjoy with 185 miles in them there legs. I'd try to aim to get to it on the actual charity-ride day but sadly my knee wanting to pop out meant I tapped out 20 miles previous to it. Then in 2020 a year after the offical ride I'd attempted again but gps issues in Reg-Town, also known as Leighton Buzzard put paid to that.
Would today be the day or would it not. Was my blade of grass still tagging along with devotion.
Well yes it was, what a soldier. Got to the Zoo and just as I was taking my pic a lady asked if I could get out the way so her little-un could get 'snapped'. I requested permission to leave Layla in the shoot and this was granted. But her 6 year old wasn't having none of it as my bike obviously looked more like a 'beast' than a 'Juliet'. Oh well...
Poor Layla... I love you and at least you're no Sonder...
Got tot the bottom of Bison and rode back up without too much drama. Then riding back down I get to a bench and see this. What a lovely message from (what I assume) a lovely man.
What'd we have here. Look, I'd completed my challebge with flying colours. The bladw of grass was still there and I'd made it across the northerly Chilterns. I'd just successfully saved a blade of grass from the London-tyre-Smog fate
Then I rode and rode and rode until finally my mind caved and I found a cheap ticket. In fact two cheap tickets and I backtracked. Back we go to Milton Keynes and a direct slow train to Birmingham.
Hey up, it's a day of lovely messages. Got the train and all the lads had taken up the bike carriage. They were obviously more deserving, so me and the lady opposite stood at opposite sides of the train blocking the doorways. Until I looked up at her bike for a nosy and she's a fellow bikepacker (or whatever name is given to us roadies with bikepacking bags!).
Kat was on her way to ride the Brian Chapman Audax. Gave her some advice on her Ortlieb saddlepack and how to keep the tabs from snapping. She'd already experienced the failure and she was also an entrant to this ywars TCR which is apparently cancelled due to the visa-trauma that would inevitably hinder the riders. I told her of Jameso policy and (possibly) sold the Terino-Nice-Rally idea to her. Sounded keen and then she was off...
Birmigham came and went with Ladypool Cycles obviously getting sick of litter louts so I took a pic of this lovely sign below.
Passed him his order (a heart rate monitor)and gobbled the food he'd gotten me. Then shot of frantically trying to catch my train of which I did (Alhamdulillah).
Got to Burton on Trent and waited around until, 'thud'. A load of starlings (or so my missus tells me) were flging past and one of the naughty ones had decided to take a shortcut. Straight into the window pane of the wiating room. I came out to enquire and help but sadly it looked like it'd broken it's neck.
So I poured the little birdy some water and hoped it'd be ok. Must've just been in shock another lad told me and we both decided to give it time and space. Alhamdulillah a few minutes later and it was on the move. Hadn't got it's wings back but did allow me a stroke.
She did a few acrobatics with the wings and then as I was sharing a vid with the missus the little birdy got together all her power and courage and flee away...
Just 8 miles at the end of this journey, but BAM no 7 done. Phew.. knees are only hurting a 5 out of 10 and bottoms thankful of the rest.
. Bit ironic it's July of all months that lets the side down 
.