Fantastic route through small country lanes. One or two tired legs but nothing serious. Cups of tea are first priority. Tomorrow we are cycling 50 more miles to Newhaven.

Lunch at Farthing Common just before crossing the M25. Fruit cake going well. Alicia seems to have strained a ligament in her ankle and the third group are about 3 miles behind. Otherwise all well. The route out of London follows tracks and paths – largely along the small and once poisonous River Wandle. It’s all been cleaned up now and made for some beautiful cycling. All very slow as map reading tracks is not easy in groups.

It’s difficult to philosophise typing with thick fingers on a blackberry keyboard like this but there is a pleasantly subversive feel about leaving London along such secret ways.

Through traffic and lorries. Now it’s mostly cycle paths and tracks to the M25.

We’ve left the M2 and are now heading in to London. Team shirts have been handed out – everyone resplendent in white and blue, with The Canterbury Gift logo proudly displayed. We’re heading for the Abbey where we are going to unload the bikes from the vans. This is a big thing we’re doing. One or two clearly a bit nervous of what they’ve undertaken. Many or the riders have never done anything like this before. They have bought themselves new bikes, and trained hard.

At Westminster we are going to be met and blessed on our way by Canon Jane Hedges. She’s welcomed the Pope, the Queen, the Prime Minister, Prince William and Kate this year. Now it’s our turn

Leaving Canterbury, driving round the City Wall for the London Road. Only major panic was Jerome forgetting his sunglasses. We’re off to Westminster Abbey to start the Green Route to Paris.