Well, I managed to get to Rome! All the way, on my bike - well except for the ferry across the Channel. It was a great ride and something that I have been planning since last August. I enjoyed every bit of it, even things going wrong seemed to add to each small success.  After a few days the  journey seemed to take on a life of its own, I was just a part of it drifting along and helping it on its way.

The countryside through France and Italy was wonderful and the further south I rode, the more the poppies and other wild flowers filled the roadsides and fields. The pace of cycling is a lovely speed at which to see the world. Mountains seen in the morning are cycled through in the afternoon.  Cycling over the Alps was a fantastic experience and something I never imagined I would be able to achieve. The fact that I never had to push my bike once was, I am sure, due to my ability to ride incredibly slowly rather than any great strength!

I saw hundreds of cyclists on the way - everyone saying "Bonjour!", "Ciao"  or when climbing some hill, "Bon courage!"

The journey from Siena to Rome was particularly beautiful and travelling in May meant that everywhere was free of tourists. The roads had little traffic, especially in France where it seemed easy to find side roads. Parts of Italy were busy - Around Genova and the roads to Florence were particularly noisy.

I thought all the drivers in France and Italy were very careful about passing cyclists - especially this crazy Englishmen. One time I thought that some Italian drivers were anti cyclist blowing horns and waving arms; I realized  it was because I was cycling down the slip road to the motorway! It was often difficult to keep straight with the heavy load on the bike, especially whilst going up hills and avoiding potholes. But the drivers were good.
Many people had warned me of the terrors of Roman traffic but on the morning of cycling into Rome it did not seem that bad.

I would like to thank all the drivers in England, France and Italy for missing me so successfully!