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.

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Day 7 - Runcorn To Clitheroe

Another sunny day, wow. Unimpressed by Travel Lodge, charging for WiFi, adding service charge to extortionate meal charges (didn't pay the extra). Woke to the sound of high wind. Soon realised the whooshing was a bit constant and was in fact the aircon thing outside. Just a token breeze anyway, building during day.

The poor old bikes are caked in oily gunge, alas, and no easy way to clean them. The tandem looks okay though. Pity the chain keeps falling off.

Stopped at Daisy Hill for a welcome cuppa and home made flapjack from yet another lovely jolly lady.

Fabulous scenery after the climb out of Bolton, huge panorama of rolling countryside and, by the way, a vigorous wind on the port bow. Bit parky for lunch so we three lead off men installed ourselves in the front seats of the van and munched our way through another glorious pig-out lunch. And hot tea! Nick having cracked the thermos problem.

35 miles down, eighteen to go, piece of cake. Make that three. The tandem rolled up as we were finishing off, but no sign of the Sunder-wonder, aka Tony, who was again doing his own thing and adding to his extensive list of holiday snaps.

Cruised on through Blackburn with its Wainwright Bridge, named after the famous fell walker / chronicler, one of the most famous residents. Off hand can't think of any others. Tempted to stop for tea in picturesque Whalley, pronounced like eejit rather than 'pertaining to huge mammals', but a biker said great pub in the place you're staying. Arrived there at 3.05 pm, sorry lads, closing time was 3.00 pm.

Still, a warm welcome and cuppa from the landlady of the digs in Bashall Eaves. About 55 miles today, softener for the days to come. Like tomorrow, heading into the Lake District.
Nice to hear from you Jean! Thanks for the donation Eric!

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Day 6 - Clun to Runcorn

Sun again, staying pretty much all day! Lovely landlady at The Sun made us very welcome, and put our things in her washing machine.

Traditional 9am briefing from Nick then off across gorgeous countryside and quiet lanes heading for Hereford. Superb bike shop here for little fix-its, getting the Garmin support bracket tightened etc. On to Shrewsbury and the famous Quantum Leap memorial slinky dedicated to Darwin, son of the town.

Then more quiet rural lanes to the compulsory stop at Derek's Hot Snacks lay by van at Lea Cross. Sizzling bangers on the go for a previous customer's telephoned order. Had great slabs of cake and mugs of tea but he wouldn't accept any money for the teas. Instead gave him a big tip. What a nice bloke.

Here's trusty Trekkie.

On through quiet, flat countryside to Loppington where Nick had lunch set out ready. Very friendly landlord at the Dickin Arms served up pints of lime and soda and wouldn't take anything for them. Another nice bloke! Then someone came over from an outside table to ask about the ride and insisted on giving a donation to our charity. Third really nice bloke! Shropshire must be a great place to live.

Last leg was bombing through more quiet lanes including a tea stop at the superb Grosvenor Arms in Aldford

Helter shelter competition with commuter traffic on the A56 into Runcorn. Big ride, over 80 miles, and boy did that hot shower feel good at the end.

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Day 5 - Monmouth to Clun

Saints be praised, dry and nearly sunny to start. Gathering clouds but no rain, whoopee. Lie in because of short day's ride of just 53 miles. Ha, ha did I say just?

Lovely ride along cycle track into Hereford, avoiding the perilous A49. Local councils take note. Stopped at friendly Post Office in Canon Pyon for a welcome cuppa before heading off for the lunch stop near Mortimer's Cross. Never found out what was bugging him.

Was Tony being patriotic and standing to attention?

Nice fast ride after lunch but just as we'll we'd put on an extra layer. Then came The Hill To End All Hills so far, lIke riding up the roof of a house, on and on. Rapid descent the other side though, with smell of burning rubber from the brake blocks. Checked into The Sun Hotel, lovely welcome and room, and the offer of laundry services!

 

 

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Day 4 - Destination Monmouth

Miraculously SUNY after yesterday's deluge. Restored room from temporary Chin Sam's Laundry, sadly not great at getting things dry.

Off at traditional 9 am and almost immediately went through nice quiet lanes towards Wells. Great big cathedral they said, can't miss it. We did at first, St Cuthberts not a show stopper, sorry buddy.

Monster hill out of Wells, see the Welsh hat below between 10 and 20 miles.Then a long undulating route towards Bristol. Interesting navigation there but Mr Garmin was up to it. Good long cycle track to Avonmouth and, at last, the van, 40+ miles from start. Lovely sunshine for the fuelling up then back on the trusty steed and over the Severn Bridge. 

More nice cycle tracks then glorious downhill run beside the river and through tree lined road. Quick photo opportunity at Tintern Abbey

Then Wavey D and Martin cracked on at a pace I couldn't match along the superb Wye Valley, so trundled along behind them. Tony meantime had left the lunch stop to do his own thing.

Arrived in Monmouth just as the rain started.

The squeamish should stop reading now, but some people are dying to know about saddle soreness and chafing. None so far, touch wood, maybe helped by the Chamois Butt'r cream. Exotic feeling soon after applying, like having an ice pack applied to the Crown Jewels as the solvent evaporates. Could get to like the sensation ....

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Day 3 - Destination Glastonbury

First observation on Wavey Davey Williams' riding style, which is like a horizontal sine wave, across both sides of the road (bit like golf then ..).  The trick before bends was to swing out far right 'to see if anything was coming' then to dart back in if there was. 'Perfectly safe' he says as we watch with trepidation.

Back to the plot, and away from the faded glory B&B in Moretonhampstead at 9 am

Had awoken to sunshine after heavy overnight rain, miracle! Stayed dry on lovely route either side of Exeter, stopping at the renowned bike shop for brake blocks.

Soon hit the enormous climb out of Broadhembury with the landmark spider gate half way up.

Arrivied in good heart at the lunch stop in Smeatharpe but with ominous fall in temperature and some drops of rain. Spot the colour change in the jacket.  Where's Tony for the photos? Last seen heading round the back of the Village Hall.
S

Stopped off to look at St Mary's Church in Stoke St Mary, famous for its stained glass windows.

Isolated showers the forecast said. No, make that non stop rain for the next 40 miles or so, arriving near Glastonbury dripping wet. Glorious shower at the Premier Inn, ie hot one in the bathroom. And promise of a tumble dryer!  Pie night in the restaurant, eat as much as you like for £4.99, even complete second helpings of pie. Resisted.

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Day 2 - Fowey to Moretonhampstead

Clear from the start that the weather was going to get worse, and it did. Met at the ferry in Fowey, kitted out with some warmer clothing in anticipation. Another chain propelled one that chugged across. Joined in the photo by Martin, Tony's room mate. Don't be deceived by the shades.

Warned that the hill on the other side was a 2 foot one, particularly without warming up. The short sharp hills started up in earnest though but then an incredibly long and fast descent to Hessenford where we had an unauthorised coffee stop. Then on almost to Tor Point where organiser Nick (in green) was waiting with the van and lunch. Big pig out.

Definitely getting colder so dug out the warm jacket. Negotiated Plymouth courtesy of the GPS gadget and made good progress to Yelverton where the long climb up to Dartmoor starts. Ground our way up with 2 quickies heading off ahead and the tandem well back.

Tony a bit dehydrated so waited for him at the top, forgetting to unclip from the left side pedal and crashing down onto the gravel. Chain came off so joined The Black Hand gang. Then the rain came, heavier and heavier. Waited in Princetown which was mentioned as a possible rendezvous point but no sign of anyone. Meantime missed the tandem passing by, leaving Tony, me and the support man to do the remaining 15 or so miles.

Now pretty bleak, rain stinging our faces, brakes not working at all well and some more sharp climbs and precipitous descents. Moretonhampstead was a welcome sight. What to do now with all the soaking gear?

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