Own Goal

Eight in the morning. I am at Manchester Victoria station, waiting for a connection.

It's raining, believe it or not...

I'm just finishing off the English section of Foul Play 5. The rest of it is set in Italy, where I'm going in the summer.

And I've just thought of the title: OWN GOAL.

Kofi Danquah (from Off Side) has just put one in the back of his own net. But the title fits the book in more ways than that. Stuff to do with an Italian media mogul that I can't divulge yet.

In the cafe they are showing highlights Ireland beating Algeria last night. Good news for England?

It is nearly time...

Leverhulme Primary

I had a good day at Leverhulme Primary school in Bolton this week. A very good school, I'd say. The teachers were a good laugh and so were the kids.

I get asked a lot of questions in schools and I have to say this school - even the year threes - had some great questions. They'd also read lots of different books.

They sent me this photo. Hello Leverhulme!

Dinner with Capello

I had dinner with Fabio Capello last night. And these two guys called Wayne and Sir Alex.

Sadly they were thirty yards away from me at the top table. But, all the same, it was pretty good.

I was lucky to be asked to go to the Footballer of the Year dinner.

The best bit was seeing Howard Wilkinson, manager of Leeds' 1992 league success. And Chris Kamara.

I was sat next to David, my agent, and a lad called Tom who does those BBC commentaries online. The funny ones you can text into.

I left before the heavy drinking started. I need to write this morning, so it was a wise move.

I started Foul Play 5 yesterday and I am really enjoying it. It's good to be writing again.

Home

We did it. 250 miles of paths and roads. 26 hours in the saddle. 5 days.

We rode into Potters Field, London, to see our families waiting for us. A lovely moment.

Then I helped perform an opera of Off Side, the new Foul Play book. Four times.

If you were at the second performance you might have noticed my subtle text-checking. My agent - and friend - David, was texting me the Leeds score. The last one read 'We've done it!!!', meaning Leeds have been promoted. That happened just as I finished my last bit. That is why I jumped off the stage like that, then grabbed that six year old girl (my daughter) and swung her round, then danced over Tower Bridge singing loudly, if you were there and were wondering.

Thank you to everyone who supported the ride. We raised £10,000 worth of books for a Ghanaian football academy's new library.

Day Five: Tring to Brentford

Four hours on canal paths, dodging pitbulls.

Two broken wheels and two punctures.

This is Pat fixing one of the bikes. Pat has been our navigator and technician. Each day we've made to it where we need to be by when we need to be. Thanks to Pat.

We arrived in Brentford and I went to do an event at Richmond Waterstone's. Then we ate. A lot. And we felt good. Although today was hard going, we are nearly there. Nearly raised £10,000 for a library in Ghana.

And now for the last day. Along the Thames to Potters Field, for Off Side the opera.

But, more importantly, radio coverage of Leeds v Bristol Rovers. If Leeds win, we're promoted. If not, the play offs.

Day four: Northampton to Tring

Day four. Hard going.

My legs are changing shape - and hurting.

But we made it.

46 miles.

We are at a posh hotel, which is a treat. The Pendley Manor. Very nice. They kindly gave us an 80% reduction in price, supporting our charitable efforts.Thanks to them.

The three of us spent a long time in the pool and jacuzzi, trying to save our legs.

Day three: Leicester to Northampton

Another good day. We had to rush today: I had an event at Waterstone's Northampton at 1.30pm. So we set off and pedalled hard.

The highlight of the day was a pair of tunnels. Unlit. This is David and Pat before we went in. Note the tiny pinprick of light at the far end of the tunnel, just between their heads.

Inside the tunnel I took this photo of what must have been a ghost cyclist. Creepy...

Day two: Derby to Leicester

A lovely day in the landscape between Derby and Leicester. There are no hills to speak of in this area. It was really good fun. And easy, to be honest. 40 miles polished off in less than four hours, with a few short breaks.

There were some adventures en route. I was attacked by a dog... sort of. A rotweiller went for me as I rode past. But rather than tear my foot off, it chose to put its teeth around my flimsy trainer for a second, then release me. How we laughed!

Here is a picture of me today, as we came into Leicester. I found a picture I could send to my daughter. (Hello Iris!)

The hotel in Leicester is very nice. I doubt we'll have the same problems we had in Derby.

I went to sign some books at the Waterstone's on arriving. Now we're off for a curry.

If you want to sponsor me, please go to www.justgiving.com/Tom-Palmer-rides4rtd. Thank you!

The Doors

I thought you'd like to see the doors in the hotel that were booted down.

The good news is that our bikes are safe.

And now... to Leicester...

Day one: Sheffield to Derby

We made it. We set off from Sheffield United FC (where Arthur Wharton became the first professional African footballer) on a breezy morning. I had two cooked breakfasts to fuel myself up.

And here we are (right to left): David, Tom and Pat.

It was a long journey. 56 miles. But not too hilly. We had blazing sunshine and three hail storms.

Coming into Derby was a relief, though.

And the hotel is interesting... but not in a good way. In fact, if the bikes are still in the room they're being stored in in the morning, I'll be pleasantly surprised. Two store rooms on this floor have had their doors kicked in this evening!

If you'd like to sponsor me, the website is www.justgiving.com/Tom-Palmer-rides4rtd . And thank you.

Sheffield - day zero

We start the sponsored cycle ride tomorrow. From Sheffield to Derby.

We had a meal tonight and we're ready to go.

The plan is to cycle from Sheffield to London in 5 days.

From Sheffield because this is where the first African played professional football. London because that's where the latest do. I am doing bookshop events in most towns as we head south.

There's a grim air in Sheff tonight. Sheff Wed got relegated tonight, so you can understand why.

Sheffield - day zero

We start the sponsored cycle ride tomorrow. From Sheffield to Derby. We had a meal tonight and we're ready to go.

The plan is to cycle from Sheffield to London in 5 days. From Sheffield because this is where the first African played professional football. London because that's where the latest do. I am doing bookshop events in most towns as we head south.

There's a grim air in Sheff tonight. Sheff Wed got relegated tonight, so you can understand why.