A misty morning start parting from the Mother's nest, and along a complex of canals to Devizes. The Caen Hill Locks in Devizes were the engineering marvel to be savoured, the 29 consecutive locks is the longest series in the UK, they are the brainchild of the Victorian wizard John Rennie, here for more.

All was swimmingly on track for the 6 Nations game, but my seat post bolt snapped rendering my bike a seatless BMX. Cycling through in a mounting cramp and searching desperation, I spotted 3 display bikes outside an farmhouse, the bikes were painter yelllow, white with red polkadot, and red. From this I knew divine providence had played her hand. After a hardcore bodging session with Charles (pictured), a very rough solution was found to get me to the bike shops of Winchester.

After arriving in the dark, Annabel and Seamus took me in, and set me down in front of an equally disappointing game of rugby: a bright start mired by a second half collapse summed up all things.