Jane's latest challenge is to cycle from Rome to Leeds, a 2,500 miles journey.

Day 18 - Chabeuil to Lyon.

See the full diary and bike route.

So halfway and 927 miles covered. A baking hot day has left the people on the road dropping like flies.

The intense heat is taking its toll on everyone. After suffering cold and wet weather in Italy now we have a heat wave.

Seventy two miles today has left both Jane & Luke exhausted. An unexpected national holiday, unexpected to Jane & Luke not the French, caused them to run out of food.

There is a need to keep up the salt intake so Jane ate Wotsits while Luke feasted on sardines.

They have no isotonic drinks on the road which is causing a problem.

Jane is impresed with Lyon which has lively atmosphere partly fuelled by the holiday celebration.

Foregoing French cuisine for fast food they were delighted to see that Macdonalds allowed you to have a beer instead of a soft drink.

Luke noted that it was cheaper to buy a meal & sling the burger rather than go to the pub. Their plan was thwated when they were informed with a gallic shrug that they weren't allowed "a beer at this time of night" (8pm).

Tomorrow is a monstrous day - 120 miles - with a 5:30 start. If the heat continues it should be some day...

See the full diary and bike route.