If Tuesday was the day of wind and Wednesday was the day of hills, today was the day of wind and hills. And a bit of drizzle early-on. Threatening inclement weather forced a reduction in the long-riders ambitions from 140 miles to 120 miles, while the more conservative riders aimed for a further 50-odd.

A steady evening at Restaurant Rizzo last night, produced yet more fines in favour of The Prince of Wales Hospice. Cyclists and support crew have now contributed fines of over 480 Euros to the cause for their various misdemeanours. Last night included a universally popular fine for Paul “Sherper” for inaccurately described routes and a fine for the bloggers for their refusal to censor. Still, no need this time because everyone was tucked up in bed nice and early....

Another 6am start for physio, breakfast and set-off.

Everyone set off together in the buses to tuck a few miles away before cycling, so the remaining miles were achievable in the day despite the weather. 20 miles down the road the long-riders, headed for a comfort break in the bracken, then saddled up and set off. Stuart sadly feeling the effects of ten hour stints on the bike with nothing but high energy bars and drinks was forced to take a break from the cycling today. The rest of the group enjoyed 50 miles winding down the river bank, through some quaint German villages.

The more “conservative / smart” riders continued by the bus towards the Rhine, via Netto. At the riverbank much discussion ensued about which side vehicles / support crew were to remain on which side of the Rhine. After a million different decisions and re-decisions (arghhhhh!), the short riders and some crew boarded the ferry bound for... well, the toilets initially. Gary took the opportunity to add a few extra miles on his speedometer by turning his wheel while he stood waiting. Unfortunately the video evidence seems to be unavailable.

The day was blighted by more hills, but what was meant to be a steady sweeping incline became a very steep climb. By illustration, Will “Pancake” Jennings says it was the steepest he has ever climbed; Dave reckons his front monster-tyre was lifting up off the ground. Sadly, Steve’s injury from falling off yesterday came back to haunt him and he was forced to dismount and the comrades waited for him to recover enough to continue, but it was not to be. After an hour, the support crew were called and Dave stayed with Steve while the rest of the group cracked on.

A little while later and a lunch stop at the bakery led to the first crime of the trip – when Ryan nicked a bottle of coke from a family-run bakery. Has he been picking up tips from the Scousers, or was he a distraction so they could pilfer the till? Thieving bloody Yorkshireman, claim the Mersey-boys. Ryan obviously felt pretty guilt about it and tried to throw himself under an artic lorry on a dual carriageway as penance.

About 20 miles in a schoolboy error (left not right, or was it right not left?) and malfunctioning garmin (sat nav) made our “conservatives / smarts” lost. Worry not, Will “Pancake” had a paper map, but decided to use the opportunity to chalk up some geeky motorway-spotting, criss-crossing the motorway to find a junction that was open. Lost time and despondency were abated by a cheer from a big group of school children as they passed under a bridge.

Meanwhile, the long riders were getting through wheels like they were going out of fashion. While poor Stuart rested in his sick-bed, his wheel was pilfered and clocked up 60 miles without him (thanks to Karen “Top Totty” Last). The same story as the rest of the week – Chris was leading the pack and pulling them along, while Rick slowly morphed into a machine. Has the secret of his success now been discovered? Should those electrolyte tablets undergo some sort of test...?

The “conservative/smart” riders were by now frustrated with their garmins and struggling to regain momentum. Even Karl’s amusing uphill spurts, followed by a very vocal sigh of relief, could not bring the team round. They were picked up by the minibus after about 45 miles in the saddle – a disappointment to them, but thoroughly respectable under the circumstances.

The long riders continued the journey towards the hotel in Stuttgard, encountering a hairy hour and a half through rush-hour traffic in this major city. The highlight (lowlight?) must be the 1½ mile tunnel – likened to the Birkenhead tunnel – getting worryingly warmer, deeper and darker as the wheels turned. When they thought it could not get any worse, and they feared a steep climb out, they were suddenly ejected into the daylight and on towards the hotel. A late finish at 7pm, but another 105 miles on the clock – bringing the total for today’s long riders to 1700 miles this week, and nearly 2000 if you add Stuart’s. If that doesn’t deserve a donation, I don’t know what does. www.justgiving.com/STG10city  Thanks for your contribution SIS Security!

Time for a late rub-down and a quick game of urinal football. Don’t ask about that.