Friday 27 May 2016
Day seven begins well, the sun is out and we sleep right up to the 630 alarm (if you don’t count toilet visits at 3, 4 and 5am respectively…I’m not sure if Marc and Dan went as well!)
We are all in agreement that lasts night meal at The Cornerhouse is by some distance the best we have had so far. It really is special….even Dans coffee comes with a bit of cake
We also have a team meeting about tomorrow’s route and a very serious dicussion about how to approach it ….it will be our biggest yet and we are already feeling more than a little battered and bruised…..it seems really quite daunting.
What I have failed to mention to you, or to my teammates until last night, is that when I planned the route I made two options for each day. The first is what I like to think of as the primo, gold standard route with quiet roads, beautiful scenery and suitable distance and climbing challenges along the way. The second route is the right way!
The difference between the two routes for day seven is 20 miles and 5000 feet of climbing…….in other words it’s huge!
When I mention this at the “team meeting” and that there has been an “option b” for each of the preceding six days I experience a split second of panic when I realise that I may have quite badly misjudged the mood. Two seconds later we all agree tomorrow has to be option B.
To be fair I am the lead promoter championing option B because my lady ankles have now become more like grandma ankles (shin splints my medical team tell me) and I just cannot face the idea of option A
So decision made and after a good nights sleep we brew up….
….and then we pack up and head off.
The scenery is a little less inspiring than we have become used to although it is still better than Wigan and the million W’s
We have a quick stop on the outskirts of Preston for breakfast and, because at last we are starting to think about planning ahead, some lunch for later
After Preston we speed down the A6 for what seems like hours. To be honest it is a bit dull scenery wise but it is flat and fast and a glance to the east where we can see the terrain we would have been on if we had stuck with option A confirms what we already know …..we chose very wisely!
We have a super quick stop for lunch and to apply sun cream (who said it always rains in the lakes?)
Shortly after Lancaster we turn off and into the lakes proper. WARNING ….first attempt at a video clip on the blog follows Those of a nervous disposition may wish to look away…
There are a couple of nasty hills towards the end of our day and then that’s it…..almost unbelievably we have arrived at the midway point of our epic adventure!
Just before I hand over to our guest bloggers this evening I wanted to say a huge thank you to all of you who have sponsored us, followed us, supported us, “liked” us and read this blog. I completely appreciate that it sounds incredibly cheesy but it really has made a huge difference. Knowing you are with us in spirit really does push us on. Thank you so much and cheers!
I have managed to cajole the two guest bloggers into a few more words than usual tonight ……enjoy
Hi everyone, Marc here making another guest appearance. Not promising to live up to the humerous or eloquent standards set by our eponymous blog author Nick, but will try to give you a flavour of where we’re at, now we’ve reached the half way point of our challenge. Day 7 has been another amazing day. we are absolutely in the moment for 45 miles, head down into the wind, along a not too busy A6, with little to worry us, other than the ridiculously old and crap driver of a car who having parked in the middle of the road, let Nick and I through, only to pull out in front of Dan, and clip his front wheel. It’s ok though, before you all leap forward with any sympathy for him, no damage done and we’re on our way again. We hit Cumbria after a brief stop for a saaandwich (sorry for the Cockney phonetics, those that know me) and cycle past a beautiful country estate park full of sheep and about 40 baaambi deer (ditto to last comment!). Then we hit our first serious hills of the day, along with the most amazing views of the Lake District. Then it’s a great ride down to the campsite, on the banks of Lake Windermere. Lovely spot to camp, albeit full of the grey brigade (are they really the only people who can afford caravans and campervans’, oh and the time). Even better, it’s only a 200 yard stroll to a beautiful bar overlooking the marina, full of eye wateringly expensive yachts, suns out, beers good, it doesn’t get much better than this, and we’ve made it halfway up the country, just with the power of our little legs!!! I’m very impressed. Anyway, signing off now, need to drink more beer and savour the achievement so far. I’ll leave the rest to my fellow blogger extraordinaire for more of his witty banter. Take care all. M x
Hi everyone , it’s Dan. Well it all started with an idea, a challenge. A once in a life time opportunity (well for me) lets cycle from Lands End to John O’ Groats. Why? Because it is on my ‘Bucket List’ and now to help raise awareness of the charity winston’s wish. Whilst talking to like minded crazy people (known as Nick and Marc), the plan started to emerge. A combined age of 125years! We are going to do it and we are currently doing it! It’s just amazing.
I have quickly got a name for myself in the camp as “Dan the destroyer” as it does seem to be (editors comment – it doesn’t “seem to be” you are literally breaking everything!) me that is destroying most things. However I am over the moon to have found out Nick can no longer remember the combination to his bike lock and as he didn’t want me or Marc to know what it was, he is now carrying extra useless weight. I believe he is hoping to remember the combination at some point but until then I will be smiling inside.
I am loving the cycling! I feel one with the bike now, mainly because the saddle has formed a cavern in the down belows which it now fits perfectly each time I get on the bike. Cycling has become a fantastic way to see the country, meet new people share stories and do it for a well worth while cause. I am finding the company ok……. Only joking, they are two great blokes that I will enjoy sharing stories with for the rest of my life (unless I kill one of them on this trip).
I miss some home comforts but loved seeing Kate wednesday, that has helped to motivate me of the hills and challenges of Scotland.
I’m sure I will talk to you all again at some point, we are half way now and I will enjoy rest day tomorrow but for now be safe and if not be good . Dan