More, less - and undress...

Apologies for a few weeks of silence from Summer Cycling Saga, my June 2010 bike ride from Lands End to John o'Groats - and beyond - for Falcon Camps, terrific holidays for children and young people facing disadvantage.

More

The generosity of supporters continues to amaze and motivate me. The total in 'the vault' has reached a fabulous £883.90 (including Gift Aid). Wow! Thank you all so much.

Less

With the start of the ride getting scarily near I'm busy making practical arrangements for accommodation and rail travel for the front and back ends of the ride. Wild jubilation for stunning bargain rail fare home on 26 June: Thurso - Leamington Spa (roughly 580 miles) for £20.50. Thanks are due to Lisa of the Travel Shop at Birmingham New Street Station.

Undress

Today's ride started immediately after the morning service at St Mary's, Warwick. This historic church doesn't have an overt dress code, but one feels cycling shorts might be a step too far.

So, having donned my lycras at home, I put on a top layer of trousers - and all was seemly. After the service I hastened to my bike's secluded parking space where briskly, and modestly, I removed the trouser layer.

As I re-tied my trainers, a voice came from behind me: 'Are you planning to take off any more clothes while I'm standing here waiting for my lift home?'

The questioner was a charming elderly lady who, I think, was relieved when I assured her that nothing more was in the offing.

Turned out she'd been an enthusiastic cyclist as a teenage evacuee to Lydney in the Forest of Dean. A day's ride from Lydney to Hereford was nothing to her and her chums. Respect.