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).
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