London to Rome 2021

Here I go again…. it feels like travelling in 2021 is even more challenging than in non-vaccinated 2020. The documentation is a test even before the cycling starts and I have turned into a social hermit to avoid any chance of the dreaded virus scuppering my big adventure.

As usual with one week to go, I veer from excitement to nerves to a nagging doubt that I have done enough training miles on the bike. I have been doing more weight training this year which has helped to keep me sane through the various lockdowns (thanks for the abuse, Neal at Fit4purpose!) and will hopefully keep the body injury free for 31 days and 2000 miles of pedalling. 

This is the longest trip I have done since the USA in 2014 and it is going to be rather a challenge. The rest days in Troyes, Lake Como and Venice are going to be much needed and I can definitely think of worse places to spend a day off the bike. 

I love that I can start this epic ride from ‘home’ although I haven’t been in London much at all for the past 18 months. Below is a photo from the pre-pandemic days of walking to work in Waterloo. It is going to feel strange staying in a London hotel on Saturday night!