Not the best start to the day with no breakfast served at the hotel until 8 and that is when we needed to leave for the long journey to Penrith. All we could obtain at the time in the morning that feed needed a feed was a pre-made packed lunch. Given this was our only choice we went for it but it was mostly inappropriate food items for the time of day. We set off after digesting some flapjacks, ham and cheese sandwiches and a muffin.
It took a while once we set off to break in the soreness once again and find the right sitting / riding position. As we were just about to pick up one of our main roads that we would follow for the day at only 5 miles in Andy promoted himself to the top of table with a 2-1 after stacking it turning around at 3mph. As he gathered himself from the floor he was left in front of a big shiny mirror and hoarding opposite him that read - "future champion" oh the irony.
After passing Wigan and its overwhelming kebab stench in the city centre (this was early Sunday morning) we headed on towards Preston. I must say the scenery was pretty disappointing up to this point. Just as we were exiting Preston as fast as we entered I saw a large Evans cycles open and called time to stock up on tablets and recovery powders. The guys inside the shop seemed pretty decent people and we chatted a lot about our adventures to date, while one chap shared his experience of completing LEJOG last year.
As we left Evans cycles and Preston I had my first mechanical of the trip. Chain and derailer issues that took some time to inspect and then to rectify. We finally got everything back in to what seemed like full working order but once we got back on the road I could only use little cog. The heart dropping turn around from miles in the bag and trek back to Evans cycles had to happen. As Andy said the positive thing is that it has happened here and not the middle of nowhere, even though this meant a big delay to our schedule.
Back at the store I sheepishly rolled in my filthy Colnago for inspection by a man better than I. I caught the eye of the man I was previously speaking to about LEJOG in the hope he would take pity on me and help me as much as he would have wanted help on his trip. Ted didn't disappoint he was on it like shot. The bike was straight up on a stand and he had a few others over to take a more detailed inspection. He gave it a serious looking over made the magic happen and all was shiny and new. He actually sorted more than he should of for me by sorting the derailer, cleaning the chain from all the crap I collected over the last 5 days, lubing all parts all over, sorting my handle bars whilst giving me great advice on the setup of the bike and how to get the best put of it. Ted did LEJOG on a single speed in 10 days and camped on his journey. What a man! He also didn't charge me a bean.
On leaving Preston for a second time morale was low and riding became tough. We knew we lost time. The weather wasn't helping either and scenery around us was dreadful. We also probably lacked the food we needed to keep up any sort of tempo as well. We both put our heads down and pushed hard to get to Lancaster, which was 45 miles in, for our lunch. Not many options in Lancaster once we arrived for what we wanted so we ended up in a soup place called Soupanova! The food was ok but the highlight was the waitress who didn't seem happy in her job, friendly or knowledgable about anything. Poor Natalie. This was a sign in the shop....number 8 is my favourite.
After lunch the mood was a little better but a few wrong turns and Garmin using its own mind led to more frustrations and the mood being knocked back again. Once we finally found our bearings, after more lost time, we were eventually treated with more pleasurable views across the Fylde coast to Blackpool Tower and inland to the edge of the Pennines.
Prior to joining the A6 we traveled in a northerly direction towards Keswick and took in Kendall and a place I visited a few years ago in Beatrix Potter world, good times. However, this is when the weather really turned for the worst. It hadn't been great all day but we were in for a battering. Heavy rain, hail stones and high winds chucked everything they had at us. We were temporarily distracted by some nice climbing. Weird to say distracted but when you climb you have to get in your zone and mindset and nothing else matters...pain, weather or any other factors.
The best was yet to come though with the world famous Shap Climb from the steep side. This provided great views of the Lake District prior to our finish in to Penrith. The climb was great and I really enjoyed it but once at the top, waiting for the little guy yet again, I pulled up to wait and was hit by heavy hail stones and huge gales. Not the best place to stop on reflection as I was shivering down to my bones.
After the monster hill we tried our hardest to get home for the night as quick as possible by pedalling as fast as we could in the pouring rain only stopping for a quick snap on our arrival in Penrith.
Tonight we are staying at the Caledonian Guest House and immediately on arrival Ian, the owner, asked if we wanted our clothes washed and dried for the morning to which we bit his hands off. He was very hospitable and agreed to even cook our breakfast early so we can get away in good time. I know there is an inner cyclist in him by getting a quick peak at his bike in his shed. What a touch though.
Here are today's stats:-
Total ride time = 7hrs 47mins
Distance = 168kms
Calories burnt = 3253
Elevation = 1437m
Penrith to East Kilbride tomorrow
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