1705.23 PRAY FOR MANCHESTER

As a father to daughters who I've picked up after a concert in the past I'm struggling to come to terms with the events last night at Manchester.

1703.22 PRAY FOR LONDON

Today a Police Officer went to work but didn't come home. 

Today visitors to our capital never returned. 

Today we stand against the cowards that try to stop and disrupt our way of life. 

Today we all stand together.

1612.20 BERLIN

I was about to write a post about the lead up to Christmas (and I still might) but then suddenly last night things were horrorfyingly put into perspective.

1607.16 TOUR WEEK 2

Week 2 had an explosive start with Chris Froome amazing everyone with a stage win on Saturday and controversy over his 'punch' when an over enthusiastic fan got too close. 

We went into the first rest day on Monday with 3 of the 4 jerseys on the backs of British riders (Froome-yellow, Yates-white, Cav-green).

The week saw Mark Cavendish lose the green to Peter Segan but the yellow and white were retained by Froome and Yates.... but not without drama.

Nairo Quintana failed to ignite the expected battle with Froome and Alberto Contador abandoned the race.

The biggest drama happened on the iconic mountain finish of Mont Vento on Thursday. A crash within the last 2km involving a camera motorcycle left Froome without a bike.

Photo: CyclingNews.com

He was forced to leave his broken bike (run over by another motorcycle) behind and run up the mountain in a finish to a stage that had already been shortened because of high winds.

Photo: CyclingNews.com

By the time Froome got a replacement bike it had cost him more than a minute against his rivals for the overall in the Tour de France, the race officials later reversed the time gaps due to the crowd-induced chaos, keeping the Team Sky rider in the maillot jaune.

Chris Froome cemented his lead in Friday's time trial and goes into the final week looking strong with a 1 minute 47 second lead.

But as much as the Tour de France gives me pleasure it is tainted with sadness with the terrorist attack on families celebrating Bastille Day in Nice. My thoughts are with those affected by this. This year is unfortunately going to be remembered for the hatred of a few against the innocent. We must continue despite these attacks on our way of life. Ride on my friends... 

1606.12 I STAND WITH ORLANDO

Once again hate turns to violence and suffering. I once again don't have the words to express the sadness and anger I feel right now. 

This time Orlando USA is the place and the victims are innocent people out for a night out. The difference this time is that the victims belong to the LGBT community. My thoughts are with the victims, their families, survivors and the community. 

I will repeat my words from the Belgium attacks earlier this year... 

Now isn't the time to start laying blame against innocent people because of their religion or background. The perpetrators are a minority, we will only win if we don't give in to hate and turn on each other. We will win if we stay focused and get on with our lives. We owe it to the ones we lost today.

I stand with my brothers and sisters in Orlando.

1603.22 BRUSSELS ATTACK

How do I write this? How do I express how this latest atrocity makes me feel? I don't think any written word can put down will do justice to the sorrow and anger I feel about what happened in Belgium this morning.

My thoughts are with the victims, their families, survivors and the nation. We are Europeans and this is another attack on our way of life. Having said that now isn't the time to start laying blame against innocent people because of their religion or background. The perpetrators are a minority, we will only win if we don't give in to hate and turn on each other. We will win if we stay focused and get on with our lives. We owe it to the ones we lost today.