Mons: The GPS fights back

I know I've opened with a fairly crude title, but really, this has been very tough going. In hindsight I'm genuinely amazed that I didn't give up, yet the thought didn't even enter my head (I would like to say ours, but after John's bike fell over, dragging his cleat-attached self with it, it was suggested...) - one way or another we would end the day in Mons.

I could go for a stream-of-consciousness approach and describe the day as GPS. Dying. Sponsors. City. Lost. Belgium. Beautiful. Ride. Intense. Direction. Confusion. Home. Sick., and I am tempted to as I'm so tired, yet this is another obligation I've made so I'll do my best to expand.

We began with a slight setback as our GPS hadn't been charged the night before, and despite our best efforts in the morning we were only able to get around 4hours worth of power. With this in mind we opted to use it sparingly, which wouldn't be a problem as, for the most part, or route consisted of following one canal and one river to Mons (there's that "M" word again...). On the way out of the hotel we spoke to some Englishmen who were friendly and sponsored us £10 and €10 for our journey, and I hope will comment on this if they check the webpage as I didn't catch their names. The way out of Lille-Roubaix was predictably confusing, though not as bad as past experiences leaving cities, and before long we found the canal we intended to follow - the atmosphere slowly changed from graffiti and French chavs to countryside and some miles later we found ourselves at a lovely café that sat on one side of a lock. On the side with the café it was France, on the bank immediately opposite was Belgium (pictures soon, I'm having difficulty finding time to tag them).

The route along the canal was beautiful, yet the paths were of various integrities. John had a puncture after one rough section (he hasn't had much luck, and it's only two days in - there may be need for a nickname soon) and we had some difficulty finding the next river, but really things were going well.

Then the GPS took a turn, and things started to go to hell. Cycle paths ranged from perfect tarmac to miles of rough gravel so unpredictably we needed to start using the GPS and our pre-programmed route, but the GPS would either throw up random towns where they didn't exist (leading us at one point to think we'd travelled in a 20mile ellipse around Wallonia), or suggest routes so bizzare that at one stage we were told to circumnavigate Mons by 15miles, when we knew the city was just ahead of us. Hopefully a full charge will take care of it, but really, today as been absolute torture - we cycle 15miles further than necessary, often into the wind or on such terrible terrain there was a constant risk of punctures or injury. Tomorrow we intend to get up early to give us plenty of time to make Namur (or wherever we go).

Well, even though I've showered I still have hundreds of small bugs stuck to my arm, and it's time to call it a day. Thanks for your attention, and anyone who's donated can trust me when I say we've worked very hard for it.

Tot ziens,
Tom

P.s. I received an e-mail from Mr.Main today, the Cambodian headmaster; I'll put it up now x