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Istanbul to Leeds charity challenge: Mike Tomlinson diary
THE family of the late Jane Tomlinson are tackling a 2,500-mile ride from Istanbul to Leeds. Widower Mike, 49, daughter Rebecca, 22, and son Steven, 13, along with family and friends, set off on Monday and they aim to reach Leeds on August 30. Mike is keeping a diary for the YEP.
Safety first for kids after dog attack
A mile from the end of Wednesday's stage in Bulgaria three riders were attacked by three dogs.
As we're a charity it raises a difficult dilemma – knowing that we may be attacked should we allow children to continue riding?
Whilst no-one was injured there was a serious potential and so we've made a decision to pull the youngsters from the ride throughout the dangerous areas.
The one exception is my nephew Jack, 14, riding solo all the way, who is going to stoker on his dad's tandem.
A couple of other changes are being made, too. From now, the riders will cycle in formation and we'll stay together. It's also likely that we'll swap a day in Romania, where we know there will be severe problems, for Serbia instead.
All in all it's been a difficult day.
Today we've cycled from the Turkish border to 60 miles north, near the Black Sea. Bulgaria has been quite wet and the RV became stuck in a bog and needed rescuing.
The bikes decided to avoid that stretch which caused a 10-mile detour, not what was needed.
Bulgaria, despite the dogs, is lovely. It's not unusual to see a horse and cart. It's quite a poor country and cycling through villages, there seems to a collection of old women sitting in the shade of trees.
It doesn't matter which village it is, the scene is the same.
As we were waiting today for directions after the road block we took shelter in the village bus stop, inside there was a collection of A4 sheet of photos of people, pictures, dates and a little bit of info.
They looked like either missing people or wanted posters. It remains a mystery!
Apart from the dogs, we encountered on the road a wild boar and pig with piglets.
It's all very rustic and only Borat is missing!
You can also follow the team's progress on www.istanbultoleeds.co.uk. Mike and family hope to raise 10,000 to support children's charities. To make a donation, log on to www.justgiving.com/Istanbul-to-Leeds-2010.
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Weather for Leeds
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: -9 C to 1 C
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