28th OCTOBER - LONDON TO BRIGHTON

Clocks changed so at least we got a little extra sleep. Up at 6, on the road by 7. Fiona joined us - from somewhere Southampton-direction, too.

The first few miles were hell, I have to say. I was feeling really down - tired from yesterday PLUS my bloody period, of course (have I had a cycling weekend yet WITHOUT a period? NO, is the answer to that!). So I was a bit of a whinge, I admit to feeling like I was going to throw up and I was very worried because I seemed to be struggling even on flat ground (which, admittedly, there didn't seem to be very much of!)

I don't know what I would have done without the group. Goodness - Alison and Suzanne and Fiona - all waiting, smiling and sooooooooooooooo encouraging around every corner and at the top of every hill. I'm sure they were completely fed up with me and thought I was a real party-pooper, but I swear I tried my best! I did! Honestly! Only cried once. What a wimp I am!! Leah, bless her, was with me and struggling with the hills, too, so it was great to have company at the back, too.

I came to despise hills with names, because they're so obviously 'important hills', in other words, in terms of incline! Turner's hill should be illegal. Let's not even talk about Ditchling Beacon.

All in all, though, we made pretty good time. Everybody was fantastic and there were no mishaps. We were all really looking forward to arriving at Ditchling for lunch and food and hot drinks were greatly appreciated. The other diners thought we were nuts - and Leah got done out of a decent lunch with a measly portion of cheese on toast - but all in all, it did the job.

We laughed a lot, then it was back to important things. Alison was worried about what to wear to tackle the Beacon, which DID make us laugh a lot - but nothing like her 'tip of the day', but words don't really do it justice. The tip was '2-1 and just r-e-l-a-x' - but without the accompanying actions it doesn't work.

Ditchling Beacon (or Bitchling, should I say) - was unrelenting. Alison, bless her strength of will, made it to the top in one go. I still can't believe she did that. I know in a million years of training I would NEVER make it to the top. Still can't see past the first two corners. It was unbelievable. But we ALL made it to the top, spurring each other on. I was just chuffed that I didn't walk any of it. I stopped many, many times, but decided I didn't care how many times, just as long as I didn't take a step on foot. I don't know if that counts as 'cycling' up Ditchling Beacon, but it does in my book!

Much hilarity and hysteria at the top. The wind for the last ten metres was unbelievable - it was almost as bad as the hill and we all really had to fight and battle just to keep moving forwards. It was horrible weather by then. It had rained and was windy all the way but it was moving towards 'stormy' now so the run 'down' (finally) to the sea front was more than a little welcome. A quick photo shoot in front of the stormy seas at the pier, a lot of cheering, and we headed back up to my house for hot choc, cognac and wine.

My thoughts on the day: Very chuffed that I did it - and yesterday, too. Also amazed at the strength of these women I'm riding with - it's actually humbling and I couldn't have done it without them. Same goes for the Cotswolds weekends - these people are just fantastic. Strength and patience and courage and goodwill - it's a fantastic experience just to be with them.

My thoughts on cycling: (unprintable)

General: Yep! Was thinking about this - decided that I will, at any time, do uptown, upbeat, up tempo, upmarket (definitely) - and even upside down, but I do NOT do upHILL!!!!!!!!

That's all, folks.