Having yesterday spent the day (or at least part of it) 'doing Shap' we'd decided that today would be a gentle recovery ride through Cheshire and Shropshire. This being ahead of our last three days and the hills of Devon and Cornwall that seasoned riders have told us many-a-tale about.
And so, soon after 0800, we began the continuation of our journey south.
Today was to prove different to the last five, with Preston, Wigan and Warrington to negotiate and many many traffic signals to hold us up. Indeed a rough calculation would suggest that of the several thousand traffic signals we came across today in the order of 74.6% (give or take) were found to be on red.
Despite the continued interruptions in progress we made good time and arrived at an Upside Down supporters home in Ashton-in-Makerfield at 09:34 - just four minutes behind schedule. A fine and substantial breakfast banquet was provided and amongst much banter and hilarity we dined like Lycra-clad kings for an hour or so. Thank you Sue and family!
Our day progressed well - a combination of strong legs, reasonable terrain and light winds made for good progress. So much so that we even had time to 'join the Cheshire set' of ladies that lunch and take our refreshment stop at a fine cafe near Tarporley.
A swift few miles and we rolled into our Travelodge accommodation at around 5pm after a comfortable day of riding. All boding well for the remaining miles ahead it would seem.
Our day was topped off when we were joined by family as friends for a 'table for 25' dinner at the pub. A splendid evening was, I think, enjoyed by all.
Our bikes remain in good shape and reasonably clean. Simon's bike computer battery went flat around Lancaster on day five and he spent the miles since then being thoroughly miserable and guessing his speed, or shouting at Craig and Pete 'how fast are we going?' every so often. They rarely answered! But fear not, Simon was rescued by an RAC man (in said RAC man's garden) with a new battery and a handful of cable ties.
Outrmission to reach Land's End from John O'Groats using pedal power alone continues......
Today's stats look a little like this:
Miles today: 89
Miles so far: 568
Metres climbed today: 997 (3271 feet)
Today's total time: 6hrs 1min
Confidence score:
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