Day 11 – Wetheral to Abington

Posted on 14th July, but written on Tuesday 12th July

Well, WHAT A DAY!!

The day started off so well – we made it to Gretna i.e. SCOTLAND, at about 9am and took quite a few pictures – jubilant that we’d made it after 10 days of cycling. I think it was about 10 minutes later that we all suddenly realised we still had over 400 miles to go!!

So off we went on our way, travelling quite fast – we (Sarah and I) made it to Lockerbie at 11.45am and decided to have an early lunch. Lockerbie was 32 miles into the 66 total mileage for the day – so you can see why we thought we were doing so well.

Then it all started going downhill from there. I increased my pace and left Sarah only to discover that the going was decidedly TOUGH.

• The wind was head-on (as Sarah has pointed out – hence why the Clyde Wind farm is where it is!!??)
• The road surface was DREADFUL. Basically we were on the old “A” road which had a tarmac surface of extra-large chippings; and a white line drawn 3 foot in, to suggest a cycle lane. So the “cycle lane” was full of loose chippings, old tarmac and over-grown trees/shrubs….
• The motorway was on our right and the train line on our left (most of the time) so lots of noise from the Motorway – no babbling brooks!
• Scenery a bit boring in the Borders

And then to cap it all – my bottom started hurting from the “lumpy” road surface!! Oh No!

Then, with 6 miles to go, the batteries on my Garmin GPS died and my other Garmin told me I was off-course, so naturally I started panicking, even though I knew I was going the right way…

By the time I got to the hotel I was feeling really sorry for myself and completely shattered. In fact it’s taken about 2 hours to start feeling human again. Managed to speak to Geoff and off-load my awful day on him – what are husband’s for??!!

Soon be time for supper and a glass of white wine, methinks!

Day 10, Hawes to Wetheral, Carlisle

Here I go again - what a fantastic day cycling!! Really, really good, despite the showers. 

We set off from Hawes, up and down rolling hills. Our leader, Chris, said an easy day today, but Strava says we were climbing for 30% of the ride, 15 miles out of the total, 60.

We cycled through the Eden Valley - with The Pennines on the right and the Lake District on the left of us. 

Got the bike fixed in Kirkby Stephen; it was something to do with my "head-set bearing" - broken in two apparently. As soon as I got back on the bike I could tell the difference - worth the £17 to get it fixed. 

Then on towards Appleby and lunch at Culgaith - where I had the best victoria-sandwich sponge cake ever!! So good I fell off the bike trying to get started on a slight incline - ooopps!!

Somewhere along the way I saw a sign for "Scotch Corner" on the A66 and a sign for the M6.

We were cycling through red squirrel country, my room-mate Sarah saw one, but I missed it. But I did see 5 oyster-catchers - according to Roger, from Liverpool - two parents and three (grown up) chicks!!

In the afternoon the showers stopped but we had a head wind instead, made things a bit difficult, as you can see from the stats below.

4.9 MI/H 25% Quartile Speed

9.6 MI/H 50% Quartile Speed

14.5 MI/H 75% Quartile Speed

We are staying at the Crown Hotel in Wetheral, 4* hotel. Lovely place. Just had pasta for supper, delicious and .. a decent portion.

And so to bed, we have the option of doing 83 or 66 miles tomorrow. I'll sleep on it, but I think 66 is going to win.

Night, night.

Day 9, Huddersfield to Hawes

I seem to start each blog entry with “What a fantastic day” – and today is no exception – what a fantastic day! 60 miles in total.

We climbed up onto the North Yorkshire moors, out of Huddersfield and carried on over the top. At one point I’m pretty sure we could see for almost 50 miles – the sky was so clear. Then down into Skipton, gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. And through into Wharfedale. The Dales are so beautiful, white, dry stone walls, and practically every field has a little stone barn in it. The valley floor is flat and lush with a beautiful river running through it toppling over small waterfalls. Brilliant scenery.

Cycled through Oxenhope today – that’s where we (Geoff and I, with Chris – Geoff’s son - and Trudie, our friend from Southampton) watched the Tour de France when the Grand Depart was in Yorkshire, cool!! Then, on to Haworth for coffee and a scone, yum.

In Skipton I stopped at the bike shop, but nothing could be done about my “clicking” front fork – no mechanic working (it is Sunday after all!!). Have to sort it out tomorrow.

At the sign for Hawes – 7 miles to go – the road went up, and up, and up. When I got to the top I saw a road sign “17%” and I worked out that I been climbing for 3 miles – I kid you not. Whoever said that Cornwall and Devon are the hardest bit of LEJOG, obviously did not go through the Yorkshire Dales!!?? The descent was a bit scary too. At one point I thought I could smell rubber burning!!??

I managed to avoid the rain – I just kept on the edge of it, getting the odd spit & spot – unlike my room-mate Sarah, who came in after me, wet through and cold!

We are over half way now, and only three days to go to our rest day. Hurray!!

Day 8, Bakewell to Outlane near Huddersfield

Oh my goodness - what a day!! We set off at 9am, from Bakewell in the rain. Within an hour I was wet through. I think the only part of me that was dry at that point was my left foot! By morning coffee time in Bamford, (just up the road from Castleton), that was wet through too. The staff in the cafe we stopped at, were very understanding and didn't seem too bothered about us dripping water everywhere.

Oh yes! Yesterday evening, when Geoff came to see me in Bakewell, he bought me a present - a waterproof cap to wear under my helmet. Sorry Geoff, it couldn't cope with the Peak District rain... I got a wet head, eventually, (2-3 hours of heavy rain), sorry!?

So after coffee, on again in the rain, past Ladybower Reservoir and onto Mortimer Road between Bradfield and Wigtwizzle (awesome name!) - climbing a massive 25% incline. The picture below shows me and Alex (age 82) at the top of the hill.

Many thanks to Richard Storer, (again!), my PT, for getting me up Mow Cop (also 25% in places) during my training. So pleased to get up this hill today. I saw Alex ahead of me walking up the hill (you are allowed to walk at 82!!), and I thought "maybe I can do that?" Then, of course, I just had to go for it! All of us who did it, were elated!! Such an achievement! Chris, our tour leader, said this is the worst hill on the tour. 

And wouldn't you just know it - the worst hill and the worst weather so far, is in the Peak District, TYPICAL!

Sarah, my room-mate is getting desperate, she's checked the weather at least 3 times since we got to the hotel, to see what's happening tomorrow and if it's changed since she first checked it 30 minutes ago. It hasn't changed, IT IS GOING TO RAIN AGAIN TOMORROW.

Carrying on the animal theme - here is a fine specimen! He was very relaxed in the field with his harem of cows and very many offspring.

Another problem has occurred with my bike - the front fork is making a dreadful clicking noise. Hopefully both me & my bike will make it to Skipton tomorrow, where the next bike shop is. I know it's Sunday - but Chris assures me it is open. 

Watch this space.

Day 7, Shifnal to Bakewell

Cycled 60 miles today and have managed to lose ALL my data!! That's even though I pressed the correct button at the end of the ride to "save" it, technology can be so depressing. Also the battery has run out on both my heart rate monitor and cadence meter, I think I will be able to cope without both as I'm getting used to pacing myself accordingly up the hills and utilising my deep breathing as instructed by Rich, my PT. And today, we had the worst hill so far (worse than Cornwall or Devon, wouldn't you just know it here in the Derbyshire Dales). It went on forever, and was quite steep in places.

Anyway, met up with my cycling buddy, Jen, at Hulme End, at the end of the Manifold Way (an old railway track, now made into a walk/cycle way). Her dad, Gordon came too - and not only bought me tea and cake but sponsored me as well. Thank you Gordon!!

Jen, is thinking that she might do LEJOG to celebrate her 60th birthday, could be "trending" soon!! She asked if I'd be interested in doing it again (in 5 years time), hmmm not sure, have to wait and see!!

We are staying in the centre of Bakewell, which is lovely. Geoff will be arriving soon, really looking forward to seeing him. Our friend, Pauline, is coming too, so it's quite a day for catching up.

So must away

Day 6, Hereford to Shifnal

60 miles and feeling so much better today. Bottom aching still but with plenty of stops I survived!!

So! saw some beautiful lambs today. I don't know what breed they were, but obviously hand reared, as one of them let me stroke it's face. So cute! And then!, we were cycling up the high street of Ludlow, when we spotted a mother duck with about six little ducklings running down the street, she eventually took them under the parked cars to keep them safe. If she was taking them to the river at the bottom of the street - they had a long, long way to go; hope they made it. 

So, a relatively flat day, we cycled through a race course, through the grounds of the Earl of Plymouth's estate, near Ludlow, through Ludlow itself and onto Ironbridge, where the Industrial Revolution started. We followed the River Severn (had no idea it was up here!!), onto Coalport (of china fame). We left the river side and climbed our biggest slope of the day, short and sweet 18%, no problem!! and finally Shifnal. 

We are staying  in a four star hotel, you should see the room our bikes are being stored in, none other than the "Wedgewood Room", very posh!! 

Excited about tomorrow, meeting Jen for coffee at Hulme End, Karl, from the Rossendale Trust, somewhere near Youlgreave and then Geoff and Pauline in the evening in Bakewell, very full day; starting out at 8am I think, to fit it all in!!

Day 5, to Hereford - Shattered!

We've cycled 73 miles today, I'm absolutely shattered, so short but sweet tonight. Set off dead early at 8am, 'cos we knew we had a tough day ahead. Left Sidcot and made our way around Bristol on various cycle paths and eventually over the River Avon, cycling along a cycle path next to the M5; and then eventually made our way to the Severn Bridge, and over into Wales for oooh, all of 5 minutes and then back into England - but  I can only describe it as an "awesome" experience!! So special to be able to do it.

Then on to Ross-on-Wye for tea and cake before the last push onto Hereford. This was where I was really suffering, neck ache, thigh ache and bottom ache!!?? 

We had some lovely moments cycling along side the rivers, Avon, Bristol Channel and the Wye, truly beautiful.

No baby animals seen today,😥. Maybe tomorrow.

That's all, really tired now, perhaps I shouldn't have stayed up to see Wales versus Portugal match....

Sleep tight.