90km. 56 miles. If you set off on any given Saturday and cycled 56 miles would you call that a rest day? Probably not. But that was effectively what today's stage was for us.

We set off from Lake Como in yet more blazing sunshine and 35 degree heat and headed into a beautiful climb that showed us the lake in all its glory among the hills. I was too focused on not overheating so didn't take any photos. Sorry. 

From there it was a pedal-to-the-metal thrash down towards our hotel, via a pizzeria lunch stop.

My body still wasn't quite right. I felt sick in the  morning and then when eating at lunch I only began to feel worse. One of the tour organisers grabbed me a big bag of ice, shoved it down my back and I was right as rain.

We were back at the hotel in good time, so we could enjoy a nice dip in the pool to ease our aching bodies.

The real headline today, however, was at dinner. It is tradition on FireFlies tours for there to be an evening where people are invited to stand up and speak about why they are doing the ride, and who they are carrying with them as they power up the mountains. As I have mentioned before, all the money we raise goes to Bloodwise who do amazing things in the world of cancer research and treatment. I took my turn to explain that I am lucky enough not to have lost anyone close to me, but that it didn't make me any less committed to helping fight this terrible disease. 

The stories and experiences of others, though, really brought home the reality of why this ride is so important. Fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, friends. Anyone can get diagnosed at any point, and that very message is what carries us forward to raise money. The spirit of the FireFlies and the conversations you have while suffering up the next stupidly steep hairpin on a mountain are what helps us through, but it's that continuing battle against cancer that brought us here.

So, as I prepare to go to sleep before a big 211km cycle tomorrow, please think to donate not for me and my suffering, but to stop other people's: www.justgiving.com/simon-lewis-fireflies-tour-2019 

Video diary is here, sorry that there aren't more photos or videos from on the road but again I was trying not to feel sick: https://youtu.be/_36ah8ycCo8

Bye!