After a good but short night at the Youth Hostel, we set off to get north of Carlisle.

After an exhausting day yesterday, we decided we needed a little easier day, so took the option of continuing up the A6. This though took us over Shap. A 1400 ft ascent. Fortunately the wind was blowing in the right direction, and blew us up. We stopped on top of Shap for our first break and it was wild weather up there. Blowing a gale, cold and wet. The descent down into Penrith though was great, giving Daz an opportunity to beat his top speed again.

It felt a great shame to be leaving the Lakes so quickly, but there were some glorious views as we rode up Shap, and the curlews called us higher.

Unfortunately in Penrith the van stuck in 3^rd gear, but again mechanics Brown & Byford came to the rescue, delicately hammering the linkage back together !

Ray’s bike, especially the front wheel had been disintegrating over the last few days, with spokes missing and buckles appearing, so a visit to the cycle shop in Penrith saved the day, with a new wheel. Ray may now make it to john O’Groats, despite his bike !!

Cycling now really has become part of our routine. No one thinks about how they are going to complete the day, we just get on our bikes and ride. Speeding our way up the country.

Weather was very mixed all day. A number of heavy showers with us all getting wet at some point, but again, quite a bit of sunshine in the afternoon. Bob in his unique style managed to manufacture a new style of head gear to keep him dry, thanks to a Morrisons bag !

Roger had a revelation this evening. Davy and Daz explained to him that he had 18 gears on this bike, not just the 9 he had been using so far ! Tomorrow he is going to be flying up the hills.

As we neared Low Luckens, passing Carlisle airfield, Ray, Kenny and Daz spotted a Vulcan bomber. They investigated further and were given the opportunity to look closely at it, even getting into the cockpit. It was an amazing end to the day for them.

After a day covering 74 miles, we ended it by reaching Low Luckens Organic Resource Centre. What an amazing place. Located in the middle of nowhere, up on the Cumbrian fells, north east of Carlisle. Its own wind turbine, solar panels etc. Etc, Fantastic farm buildings, and the accommodation superb. We even lit the log fire to try and dry some of the clothes we washed. Another gourmet meal cooked by Ray and Kenny, a few beers, lots of banter, hopefully setting us up for the trek across the Cheviots tomorrow and on to Edinburgh.

Click on this link for Route details for today

A long long day. This day was always going to be tricky, trying to navigate our way through Warrington, Widnes, Preston, Leigh and others. It ended up being a demanding day.

As we were trying to go the scenic route more than the main road route, Cycle paths had up until now been brilliant, but today they weren’t that helpful. We used them to try and get through Preston and Warrington, but they were difficult to follow and slow. The odd time we just rode through a town, it was much quicker.

Consequently our day stretched on and on and on ..... The first team only got to the youth hostel in Arnside at 8.45, while some were well after 10pm. This was after jumping on the A6 for the last 30 miles ! 104 miles completed by most, some a little more !!

While we did have one or two pleasant parts, most were on busy roads and in built up areas. Every where was very wet as well. The cycle paths that we used were especially wet. To the extent that both Roger and Martyn ended up falling off. Fortunately no one was hurt.

Martyn had THREE punctures before lunchtime, with the second two being loud blow outs, resident mechanic Davy Brown was on hand to change inner tubes.

The weather though was another day of sunshine and showers. Wind sometimes with us, sometimes against us, but considering the rain that seems to be around at the moment, we have been greatly blessed.

Despite a long hard day, we have settled into teams, we have settled into a rhythm, Shaun has fitted in well, and our regular stops are working well too. Such that, even after a long day like today, everyone’s bodies are gradually getting used to the stresses and strains of being on a saddle for 10 to 14 hours a day.

Having said that, it was a day that we just needed to get out of the way rather than enjoy. Arnside Youth hostel was a very welcome sight, (even in the dark).

Click the link for full route details

While sad to leave the peace of Clun youth hostel, we were looking forward to a little easier cycling but first we had to get over another few Welsh hills. Low cloud and rain greeted us first off, but gradually the sun came out and we had a glorious afternoon.

We were also sad to have Ben leave us. Thurston school needed him apparently, more than LEJOG. We found it most odd cycling without him. He is greatly missed.

Eventually though we descended into Shropshire and then Cheshire.

It really was good to see the gentler slopes of Shropshire. Everyone got along well, making good time. Lots of beautiful villages such as Bangor on Dee.

AGAIN Bob, Roger and Jon managed to fit in time to shop, although this time only for an ice cream.

Ray fell into the hedge, while Jon unfortunately managed to go over his handle bars, bruising his shoulder and wrist. He will survive though to cycle another day !

So, for the first time, we arrived at our night stop before 5pm. The Bunk House, Chester. We all seemed amazed that five days in we are upto Chester. Tomorrow evening in the Lake District. Amazing !

The major event of the day was a new cycle seat for Roger. He has suffered GREATLY over the last few days, but Shaun managed to buy a new, more comfortable seat for him. Roger says its like riding a new horse !

The evenings always seem to have someone working on their bike, or someone else's bike !

Soreness is beginning to dissipate though and a realisation that the worst is over and we may well complete this epic journey.

Lets hope its worthwhile, and we manage to collect a substantial amount of money for St Monicahs. PLEASE consider sponsoring us.

Sore thighs, sore calves, sore hands, numb fingers, sore backs, sore shoulders........ sore bums ! Four days in, another 74 miles and EVERYTHING seems to be aching, throughout the group.

But a smashing day, which started a little cloudy in Chepstow, after saying goodbye to Elizabeth, and gradually got brighter and brighter, until we were cycling in hot sun for the last few hours.

A gentle run down to Monmouth before a beautiful ride up and through the ‘Golden Valley’. As the sun came out the wide sweeping valley became even more lovely.

(Bob, Ray and Jon still managed to fit in some shopping and a visit to a museum in Monmouth !)

Unfortunately though we had to leave the Golden Valley and track north, while unfortunately the rivers were tending to run East to West. So up and down, up and down, up and down, up and down. The downs were brilliant, the ups were long and hard. One climb must have been over five miles long ! Trouble is the climbs tended to take about ten times as long as the downhills !

We kept Shaun busy by having three main stops today, as we tried to get our ‘refuelling’ right. It seemed to work better.

Finally we sped down our last descent into the village of Clun and the Youth Hostel there. Unique and old worldy. No wi-fi, no TV, but delightful and peaceful.

Just one mile from the hostel though, Ray broke his chain, but still managed to freewheel down the hill into clun. Resident mechanic, Davy Brown soon had the chain mended.

Thoughts from the guys :-

Ray – B&B bliss at Chepstow. Cloths washed and dried, and they smelt like heaven. Early morning riding down the Wye Valley – WOW, emotional. Clun Youth Hostel is how it used to be, basic but beautiful in the heart of the countryside, especially in this amazing evening sunlight.

Martyn - The sounds of Wales....... sheep bleating, buzzards screeching, birds singing, the rattle of bicycle gears changing, tractor engines roaring. Its the sounds which have stood out to me today, mainly because most of the day has been spent looking down at the road as we struggled up the hills.

Davy – Beautiful day riding through the Golden Valley and Shropshire hills. Everything aches, legs, heads, neck, back and bum. But great encouragement from everyone. A third of the way there and still going !!

Jon – Another great days cycling, the beautiful hills and valleys of the Welsh countryside stretched before us, allowing us to explore the dainty and colourful villages we never knew existed. The hottest weather and the biggest hills were as usual left until last, leaving us with patchy sunburn and thighs like Victoria Pendleton. Roll on Thursday !!

Roger – The use of a Heineken bar towel helps soothes the part of the body that other bar towels can’t reach. Bob’s 20 mins toilet stop in a local’s home – Classic !!!!

Jon – Another great days cycling, the beautiful hills and valleys of the Welsh countryside stretched before us, allowing us to explore the dainty and colourful villages we never knew existed. The hottest weather and the biggest hills were as usual left until last, leaving us with patchy sunburn and thighs like Victoria Pendleton. Roll on Thursday !!

Roger – The use of a Heineken bar towel helps soothes the part of the body that other bar towels can’t reach. Bob’s 20 mins toilet stop in a local’s home – Classic !!!!