Met a guy from Spain

I went for my 20+ mile ride this morning and felt great. It was a beautiful morning and my cleats were fantastic, cheers Dave from the Bike Factory. I'm going down there next week with a camera crew to film him putting some stuff on my bike. It should be interesting, although I do feel a bit funny about getting something for free. I know it's what sponsorship is about, but you know what I mean, it's never happened to me before. When I was given my shoes, I just left the shop. It seemed funny not going to the till. I half expected someone to chase me shouting "I know where you live". Oh happy times scrumping for apples in my youth.
I went to Peninsula Barracks to see about the arrangements for when I come back home on my bike. They were fantastic, they will organise a 'home coming' in the barracks, although security will have to be tighter than usual because of the recent events in Ireland. Peninsula Barracks is a fascinating place with a proud and honourable history. My uncle Ken was in the South Lancs in 1946.There were based at Peninsula Barracks. There were photos on the wall taken about that time. It was really interesting to see what he would have seen all those years ago.
As I was leaving the barracks I bumped into a guy who used to come in my hairdressing salon (That's another story) many years ago. I asked him had he been on holiday (It's a hairdressing joke). There was a guy in the car with him and I was telling them both about my charity cycle ride. The other guy, who I had never met before turned out to have a home in Spain and has invited me to stay when I am riding through that country. It's amazing how friendly people can be. He was really interesting to talk to and I suppose that is what attracted me to this particular adventure. I expect, well at least hope that I am going to meet some incredible people on my travels.
I'm off to visit my uncle Ken, who is in hospital at the moment. Later on I'm going to do another cycle ride, probably about the same distance as this morning. I don't mind cycling at night, the roads are less busy and I have lights. I just need to build up the mileage. Train hard, fight easy so the saying goes....not that I am going to do any fighting, well at least I hope not.