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