Oregon 2018 1st Riding Day. Steady ride out of Portland on USA Labour day,so it was relatively quiet on the roads at 9am. After crossing the Willamette River the road climbed up at a maximum of 13% to Skyline Boulevard where we took a right with more climbing and passing of the Skyline Memorial Gardens with its sculpted trees, reminiscent of Japan. Eventually we had a great descent with some gentle hairpins alongside the other Richard, who was not to be beaten hurtling and plummeting the way down. At the foot we had a huge plain with arable crops and beef cows eating some brown stuff they call grass. After passing through what looked like a new town still having buildings being erected North Plains was an old town with corrugated industrial buildings down one side ... read more

Here we are off in another adventure into the unknown. Well, unknown to me that is. The flight leaves from Heathrow direct to Portland so us northerners must fly down the day before to arrive in time for midday departure on Delta Airlines. When booking in on line I was offered the chance to upgrade us to Club Europe for £59, which I jumped at the chance. This gave us an extra bag in the hold, which we all needed, plus a chance of free food in the BA lounge, a meal on the plane and free champagne. What is there not to like with this offer, especially since it was £1 cheaper than just booking in the extra bag. The only trouble is I need to lose a couple of kilograms, not put 2 kilograms ... read more

Albania. Day 13. Rest day or 47 km ride to Polican. A thunderstorm passed over last night without touching us and the sun is out again today. Whilst most are riding today I am taking it easy and helping John A to strip down my bike and put it on its box ready for departure. My front wheel is buckled but should straighten ok when I get it home, and maybe other minor damage. I have a bad limp on my left leg, a bruised left shoulder, bruising on my face and a badly bashed right forefinger in a splint, otherwise I am in good health. I may need assistance to drag it out of the airport in Manchester to my taxi, otherwise it should be easy to get home on Friday. The bike was soon ... read more

Albania Day 11. Himare to Radhime. 64km. 1600m ascent. A bright sunny day again, reaching 37 degrees by lunchtime in the sun which were in, dropping to 29 in the shade by late afternoon. The first 7km were on a 16% gradient so I rode in the van with Armand and Lynda, who is still having pain in her elbow and hand. She had this x rayed later and the bone had a little chip they think and could take a while to heal. After this climb I got on my bike and rode the rest of the day. The first part was 7% to the coffee break and after that it varied between 7% and 11% uphill for 15km. Over the day I covered 57km and climbed 1100 metres. The long pull after the coffee ... read more

Albania Day 9. Saturday 26th May. Resting in Sarande Most of the rest of the group have gone off cycling, or by bus, to visit the nearby ruins at Butrint whilst I languish on our balcony reading in the sun under a cloudless sky and listening to the three tenors and other chosen music on my pocket computer. My leg is little better at weight bearing and am suspecting damaged muscle. The thigh bruising is worse, as expected, but the swelling is down. However, there are much worse places to recover and non much better. The temperature is around 30 degrees so just a little warmer than NW England. Busy on the promenade tonight and nice and warm for our evening meal of chicken soup and fish plus lemon sorbet. On the roads again tomorrow, but ... read more