Just got back from Istanbul – don’t worry ride across Turkey is not high on the list. I was presenting to Astra Zeneca’s senior management team about why Deloitte RAB would symbolise some of the hurdles they need to overcome to re-invent the Pharma business. They liked the symbolism and have entered a corporate team of 9. They are up to take on all comers to see who posts a good time so any one out there – let’s be having you.

Used the rider hub to hook up with fellow 2012er Mark McClaren and Jax Fanshawe (image consultant if anyone requires). We did a lovely paced 35 miler stopping off at Aunty’s Tea rooms in Marlborough. I can recommend the toffee cake. We nattered about air traffic control (Mark’s profession) and fatherhood. I was fascinated to hear that in trying to help his lads work out their career paths he had challenged them to do a business plan as to why Uni was a necessary step. What a brilliant idea and what a good way to make them really enage in their career thinking. I’ve stored the lesson for 2027 when my eldest raises the topic.

As a natural born worrier, I’m worrying that I need longer rides. The plan says 3 to 4 hours but I keep getting home too early. Plan to put this right by cycling to London (60 miles) to congratulate our marvellous team on delivering the John Bishop Sport Relief challenge and then cycling to Thorncombe in Devon on Monday while planning with Tups how we launch the next Ride Across. Breathless meetings are on brand at Threshold – think Tups might be doing the talking though. If the weather is anything like this shot that I took on my Nokia last weekend we’ll have a ball.

Bring on spring. Ride safe.