Day 23: Forgive me Father for I have sinned

Sheffield, South Yorkshire to Flaxton, North Yorkshire
80.7 miles (1252.19 miles cumulatively)

It's true. I have sinned today. Twice in fact! And blimey, do I feel terrible for both, physically and mentally scarred I am and I shall explain why.

Firstly, for in my eyes, the lesser of the two evils.

Ever since Kings Lynn, the weather has been better, the land flatter (mostly) and the atmosphere around Cycle England far more jovial really. Owing to these things, I think it's highly possible that I started to take it all a bit lightly - not, of course intentionally, but subconsciously I think I may have thought that I had already succeeded. 34 days in all, 12 days left, that's nearly single figures thought I! Well, I think this happy-go-lucky attitude that I have apparently been brewing inside me got a very sudden awakening today, and it's awakener (is this a word? If not, it should be) went by the name of 'Wind'. Does wind ever know vengeance for early celebration! Wow! 60 miles of head wind and not a moments rest - it's got some powerful lungs has the wind and let no person (meaning me) ever underestimate it (or cycle England)again. Although the land today was mostly flat (Yorkshire!!!!) the added wind factor made today a tough, tough day.

But now for the real kicker - The real reason I feel so mentally jarred from today. I think I killed a frog. Seriously, I really do. A little hopper I think is no more because it fell, well jumped, well hopped actually, in between the wheels of my bike when I was in full motion and by the time it would have realised what was happening, the slightly worn back wheel of Geoffry (yes, that's the name of my bike), under all the weight from my panniers, would have given him a flattening. I even heard a little froggie yelp and I am devastated. I'm sorry Mr frog man - Road kill by a bike, how unlucky can you be!

So there you have it! 2 absolute reasons why Cycle England is never, and should never be thought of as completed until that final metre has been pedalled, that final yard hit. Cycle England is never over, until it's over, and then, it's over.