the bikes are loaded on the Barretts van ready for the off at 6am, and 15 cyclists are raring to go (are we folks?) – departing Ashford at 8.30 am. The journey to Lucerne will be long – but easier than the 12 cyclists tackling the Gotthard Pass.

The final practice ride took place last Saturday ably led by Mike Nee, aka the finest connaisseur of every hill in east Kent – thanks for the recent rides Mike.

We hear the weather is cool and wet in Lucerne so home from home for us then.

We’re very much looking forward to all being together again in Lucerne tomorrow ready for the off on Sunday morning. Good luck to those tackling the Gotthard Pass tomorrow.

There are few polite words in the dictionary to describe how you feel at the end of a day like that. The sjy turned black, the thunder clapped, rain fell as if someone was emptying a bath. Drops the size of bullets bounced wildly off the road. We entered Switzerland after lunch and then the wind got up: right in our faces and at a strength that was bending trees. My cycle computer registered 130 miles. And then we have to get up tomorrow morning at 5.30 and do it again – and more. Over the Gotthard Pass.

The mood however is upbeat. Everyone made it. No one looks at the end of their reserves yet. One more exceptionally hard day and then we are joined by 15 fresh riders in Lucerne.

Falling asleep at the wheel. Monza a nightmare of traffic lights and lorries and roundabouts. Continued stopping has slowed us down. 40 miles to go and one big climb. Now sitting eating braed and cheese in a factory car park. The polizi turned up to check us out (no wonder) but ended wanting to be photographed with Andrew’s Harley.

Thanks to everyone who made cakes and flapjack – rocket fuel. The delight of opening the wrapping and finding all that tasty goodness. 125 miles so today. Long and flat with more lorries. Then up to 1750ft before dropping into Bellinzona. So this evening we should be in Switzerland. Europe is zipping by.

Robin and Barbara Cooper have spent the last two weeks cycling from Greece to Lucerne and are now awaiting the hordes to arrive from Greece and Kent to tackle the second leg of this great Olympian adventure for the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance

We’ve arrived in Lucerne. 800 miles cycled (due to some minor navigational malfunctions); 35,000 calories burnt, 22,557 feet climbed, one accident ( with the Greek melon man) one puncture. And now a couple of rest days whilst the Spartans catch us up and a contingent of Corinthians arrive via Eurostar and other trans European trains into Lucerne on Saturday night. Then a cast of millions ( well about 30) ride to the Olympics together.

Riding with just one bra and one pair of knicks, one skirt, one pair of shorts, one tee- shirt and a toothbrush has been “interesting” for 13 days but hard work with no support team and carrying your gear. Frankly I’ve got fed up wearing the one bra but you get into a good routine of: arrive at hotel; pray there  is at least one bar of soap in the room; erect clothes line; wash clothes; use childrens clothes pegs; pray dry by morning. It’s also amazing what nappy rash cream and bed sore pads can do but you’ll have to ask Barbara for the details as I’m too squeamish.

Barbara does the last few hundred metres up the Gotthard pass on the mule track cobbles.

Our progress somewhat hampered by 100 Alpine cows with noisy bells  being taken all the way over the Gotthard Pass.

R and B xx

Average speed is slowly creeping up as we get into our stride. In the end we did 118 miles. Mostly flat, but often narrow roads. Now at the Auberge Visconti in Cremona where the staff are incredibly obliging and helpful and the rooms are fine and dandy. Tomorrow we start climbing to a mere 1750 feet, entering Switzerland at the foot of the Alps, and the biggest climb of the whole journey.

We’ve made it on the old cobbled mule track to the top of St Gotthards. 38 hairpins. Hard going but stunning views and just two cars the whole way and one herd of alpine cows with bells being herded over the top which delayed us a little. V good cafe at top so having a snack then on to Lucerne. R and Bx

The man from the yellow ochre house just came out with a bag of freshly picked peaches. 36 degrees and 52 miles to go. A little deviazione as the road was closed for 11 miles but no back on track. Roger and Sue have managed to find bread ham cheese tomatoes and cucumber for lunch. Tanya is easing some painful limbs. This morning we went through vineyards, and passed farms offering their parmigiano reggiano. Old stone gateposts stood at the edge of fields, leading nowhere: monuments from another age. A white egret fished in a shallow rivwee below the bridge.

The relief of sitting in a bar drinking a cappuccino. 33 miles done: the road is narrower than yesterday and the rush hour traffic and lorries were not in a mood to take prisoners. But the scenery is better – now moving through real Italian countryside with rice in the fields and sunflowers; the wheat is being harvested and the straw baled.

Meanwhile in Switzerland Robin and Barbara Cooper are a mountain or two ahead of the group….

Now in Airoli at the bottom of St Gotthards Pass in the Alps. Resting here after short ride from Bellinzona today almost all uphill. We’re remortgaging the house. A meal for 2 – 100 pounds. A bottle of mineral water 6 pounds. Crazy prices but everywhere you go, unlike Greece, roads being built, railways repaired, new tunnels and offices being built a very affluent economy.

Tomorrow the big choices over the Alps (7000 feet).

1. a train to Lucerne
2. the autostrada  tunnel ( 8 miles long) through the Alps
3. the modern mountain road with 3 hairpins
4. The old mule track – still cobbled with 38 hairpins
5. Stay in bed.

Time will tell.

Barbara points the way up.

Tomorrow’s challenge

Today’s motivational tune: She’ll be coming round the mountain when she comes