Date 25-07-16. Time 21:50. Ok. Wow it is one month to the day since I completed the Lands End to John O'Groats cycle ride - that time has gone just so fast.

So this is my first post for a while, but thought I would provide a little update as to how I am getting on cycling wise post completing the LEJOG cycle ride. I am making progress recovering from the injury I sustained to the right knee and have been able (following the specialist advice and not being foolish) to get out on the bicycle. Unfortunately the progress is slow and I am still restricted to just 20 miles at easy gearing with no hills, so really glad I don't live in Dartmoor (see Day 2 post). I've managed to get out about 12 times since and I am very grateful I have not been told to give it a whole month to rest - as really wanted to keep some momentum going. Although I am not climbing any hills, I would have been climbing up the walls if I could not get out - as the saying goes.

I have been given some stretching exercises and these appear to be doing a good job plus icing the knee regularly x3 times a day. So it is slow but steady progress but I am optimistic. My youngest daughter is helping me with the exercises, as she does the counting.... team effort !! :)

Have been watching the Tour de France - amazing what those guys can injure - think my bad leg would have fallen off by now doing that :) I'm quite used to wearing a Yellow Jersey like Froomey, except I wore mine for 10 out of 12 days as it rained so much... and mine was in fact a high visibility rain jacket :)

Anyway, enough of my poor attempts at being funny. Will post again when I think of some equally unfunny things to say :) and maybe report some further progress.

Well done to Chris Froome for such a fantastic achievement winning the Tour de France for the 3rd time - British cycling is just going from strength to strength.

Paul.

Date: 04-07-16. Time: 21:35. This weekend my legs were screaming at me to get moving again, as they were beginning to feel like tree trunks. The specialist advised it would be good to get them moving but urged caution, so I managed to get myself back on the bicycle and go for a very slow bicycle ride – iaw with the specialist’s advice - using little force and higher cadence (i.e. faster pedal rotation speed than normal) and avoid any hills and gradients.

I understand the legs felt heavy due to the build-up of lactic acid and it was therefore such a relief to just get back on the bike again and get things circulating, although it was a little frustrating to have many many cyclists pass by and overtake me. So after doing 8 miles on Saturday and 10 miles on Sunday they just felt so much better after the rides, however there was still some discomfort from the front and the back of the knee, which should get gradually better over time allowing me to start building up the speed and mileage when I can.

Anyway, this may be slow start, but it is still a start... and one that I hope will get me back up and running again - hmmm, I mean cycling again :o) Paul