It has been a very busy few days so I’m sorry I haven’t updated the blog. There will be a couple of entries coming soon to give you the lowdown on our time in Rome.

Tim interviewed me about the end of the trip on the bus into the centre of town the other day. Here are my thoughts:

So we’re just heading into town for a second night of celebrations, has it sunk in that you’re finally finished?

 “Not at all, it feels like I’m just waiting to go onto the next place and that I’m having a rest day.”

How’s the leg feeling?

“Painful now (TIM COMMENT: too much walking around Rome to different bars at 2am I think).”

Can you describe how you felt on your final ride?

“I was quite worried about the route as the roads were some of the busiest and most dangerous of the trip. The final straight is when it really hit me that I was finishing. We waited at a red light by the Coliseum and Dad told me to ‘enjoy the moment’, he was right! I felt quite emotional cycling down the straight”.

Why did you decide to duck under chequered flag?

“’It’s Brandi’s fault, someone told me to not go through it’ (TIM COMMENT) never takes responsibility, does he’

What’s the first thing you’ll do when you’re back home (in Cornwall)?

“Go for a massive curry, with all the trimmings (he’s going all out). I’ve missed spicy food.”

What will you take from the trip?

 “It’s massively change my life style. I’ll be going to the gym now and keeping a lot fitter.  I can do a lot more than I thought I could so this has given me confidence to take on other physical challenges.”

If possible, can you pick out one cycling highlight from the trip?

“‘The Road to Nowhere’ ride from Levanto to Lavagna with Tim. There were extreme and unique weather conditions that neither of us has ever experienced. Cycling up a mountain, battered by wind and rain and unable to see 20 metres infront of us because of the fog. The feeling like you’re not on planet earth.”

Some of Swiss were close seconds and better in terms of terms of scenery. Special mention to the Gotthard pass cycle with Keith and the difficult Chur bike ride with Tim to the top of the mountain campsite.”

And a non-cycling highlight?

“The family up in the Appalachian Mountains. They treated us like their family and were hugely supportive of the trip. They invited us into their home for coffee in the morning. We had an incredible meal there too.

Also a special mention to Jean from Rhodes who painted me a brilliant picture.”

Anything that surprised you?

“Expected much more problems with the bike, only one puncture the whole way! Also how well my hip held up, I had no idea how it would do.”

And the darkest moment?

“The campsite 4 days in at the weird ‘pub’ place and a 87km trip to Tarquinia.” There weren’t that many dark moments to be fair though!”

Check out some of the photos!