Day 8 - Destination Keswick

More sun, triple whoopee! Decided to go for an earlier start because of the long day in prospect. So, ready for off from the very comfy overnight stay at Chapel Cottage and the inevitable plateful of calories.

Did the best part of a whole mile before the first puncture of the trip, for Martin. Good helpful advice from our new bovine friends over the fence.

Tony elected to do his own thing again so David, Martin and I continued in close convoy. Dodgy navigation to start because Martin's Garmin said it knew the way but didn't. The result was a considerable detour to the south of where we needed to be and a humdinger of a mountain to cross. Superb views though and curlews, lapwings and LBJs to ease the pain. At last a bit of downhill and chance for a breather.

Emerged at Lancaster then headed up to Carnforth on the A6, reconnecting with the route on my Garmin. Stopped for a cuppa and slab of cake to ward off the hunger pangs. Still 18 to go to lunch but bombed along and met the van in Kendal.

Suitably tanked up and back onto the trusty steed by soon after 2 pm. Lovely ride past the first of the lakes but a filling-threatening bumpy stretch for miles. Soon turned off the racing track main road (mad bikers and Subarus) onto a gloriously quiet little road on the west side of Thirlmere.

Took the opportunity for a little light relief....

Then back onto the main drag and one last climb before another bone shaking descent into Keswick. Now at about 550 miles overall and 77 for the day.

Posted with Blogsy