Day 6 - Friday 8th November

Ravenstonedale to Ingleby Barwick

Miles today: 66

Miles so far: 255

Friday morning turned out to be the most difficult half day of any bike ride (including Switzerland!). 

For my level of ability, 66 miles in one day is ok if it's flat. But my mistake when I was planning the route a few weeks ago was thinking that a start point of 300m above sea level was well on the way to the highest point of 540m, and secondly, accepting a hotel that was positioned a bit too soon on my route. This meant I had quite an easy Thursday but too much to do today. 

The 8am start was missed because my free breakfast was served from 8 o'clock, so I actually left at 8:20. 

I had a climb towards Kirkby Stephen, but then descended to 190m through the village, leaving me a big climb to the top. Before the real climbing started, this happened:

A puncture. Worse still, a rear tyre puncture. Luckily there was no rain during the 30 mins I spent fixing it. 

This left me about an hour behind plan, and it began raining very heavily. At one time, climbing a steep narrow tarmac road in the rain, it was like cycling slowly up a stream. I eventually reached the top at almost 12 noon with nearly 50 miles still to go. 

The top was flat and bleak. See photo:

I reached Barnard Castle at 1pm, then it was just a stead slog to Ingleby Barwick for 5:15 where James and Jennee were waiting. Chloe got in from work later. All 3 of them have started new jobs in the last two weeks. We all agreed a lazy day tomorrow was in order!

As you can see from the map, my position of the blue dot puts me at about the halfway point. Having cycled from near Stoke on Trent to Warrington, Liverpool, Preston, South Lakes, Kirkby Stephen and Ingleby Barwick. Time for a rest and a bit of family time. 

Day 5 - Thursday 7th November

Silverdale to Ravenstonedale

Miles today: 35

Miles so far: 189

My Swiss bike ride was all about cycling. This bike ride is about visiting people with a few miles in between in the saddle.  

Last night was spent with the Nearys who got married in 1978 and I spotted the photo below in their house. Have you ever seen a couple who look so young on their wedding day?

It was a relaxed start to the day. After breakfast, Richard and I cycled together for 10 miles to Newbiggin where we called in on Rita (oh, please don't put my photo on your blog). 

One drink and an hour's rest later, I left and followed my sat nav down narrow, muddy country lanes, stopping for a minute at this crossroad to take a photo of the road sign:

My route took me through Kirkby Lonsdale and Sedbergh before arriving at my destination at 4:05, The Black Swan at Ravenstonedale. 

They had already said by email that there was no secure storeroom to lock up my bike, but when I got there, I was offered a ground floor room where I could take my bike into the room. 

Tomorrow is a relatively early start (8am) with a 10 mile climb from 900' to about 1600'. This will take me the best part of two hours. Then there are about 50 miles mainly downhill to Teeside where I will have the weekend off, staying with James & Chloe and Jennee. 

Post Script

I did this blog at 6pm and when down for my evening meal at half past. As I had pre-booked my table, I asked where I should sit and was told "your friends are in that room". Assuming she thought I was part of a group, I said "no, I don't have any friends" - but, surprise surprise: there was Rita and Tom who had driven over to the Black Swan to see me. Aren't surprises good!

Day 4 - Wednesday 6th November

Preston to Silverdale

Miles today: 49

Miles so far: 154

I awoke this morning at 205 and was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't raining. However, as I sat down for breakfast, this was the headline on Bernard's newspaper:

Snow had fallen in County Durham, my destination in 2 day's time!

I left as planned at 8am and arrived in Longridge at 9 to be greeted by Mary and a choice of cakes and hot chocolate. 

I ate one of the 3 cakes but was forced to take a second one which was had later that morning on a bench in Scorton.

Jim came in from the garden and they both waved me off at 10. 

 My route seemed to criss cross the M6 northbound on country lanes. The weather was ok but occasional rain. I arrived at Over Kellett just before 2 and had a great afternoon catching up with my friend Andy. We were joined by Richard who had cycled over from Silverdale. Andy's daughter, Lucy, had made something for us - cake! Obviously, it would have been impolite to refuse. 

Just as it was going dark, Dick and I left for the 10 mile trip to Silverdale, arriving an hour later with several LEDs flashing and in heavy rain. 

At the risk of turning this blog into a food story, Anne served up a delicious and generous shepherd's pie followed by pineapple upside down cake. We then talked until 11:15 before retiring. 

Surprisingly, the weather forecast for Thursday looks quite good. No rain and a strong tail wind. 

Day 3 - Tuesday 5th November

No cycling today 

Miles today: 0

Miles so far 105

A rest day after only 1.5 days cycling is not usual, but today was supposed to have been a visit day. Unfortunately, they were fully booked. 

So, in addition to tweeking a few things on the bike, I had a nice day out with Bernard and his brother John in Lytham, followed by a visit to Harry's on the way back. And another meal out in the evening with Richard. 

Northwards tomorrow. The plan is 8:15 start. Half hour stop at Jim and Mary's in Longridge; four hours cycling to Over Kellett to see Andy and Angela, then about 45 mins to Richard and Anne's in Silverdale, where I am staying the night. 

Weather forecast is rain :(

Day 2 - Monday 4th November

Warrington to Preston

Miles today: 69

Miles so far: 105

Here are my hosts who provided good food and a comfortable bed

After breakfast at the Bamber's it was supposed to have been an early start! However, my 7:45 became about an 8 o'clock start; and almost 2 miles later, I realised how cold it was as I had left a pair of winter shorts in the bedroom (shorts which I should have been wearing on top of my long cycling trousers). 

By the time I had returned and retrieved them it had become an 8:30 start. 

The car windscreens were frosty. The thermometer said 3 degrees, but the sun was shining. I wore my long-sleeved gloves (as opposed to the usual fingerless variety). 

My target of 40 miles on the clock by 1pm was missed and it soon became obvious that arriving at my destination before dusk was going to be tight. 

Then, a mini-panic: why did my steering feel odd? It felt like something was loose. I checked everything. All ok. Tried again. Straight line ok but corners felt odd. Turns out my front tyre had a small puncture and was about 30% pressure. I decided to try pumping it up before going for the full change. The good news is it reinflated and I was off again. The bad news - for about 20 minutes before it was low again. 

By this time the rain had started and I definitely didn't fancy a repair. In the end, I blew up the tyre at least six times and got to my destination where a proper repair can be done tomorrow. 

Under the shelter of an oak tree, I changed into my waterproof jacket and added waterproof over trousers. By now it was torrential rain. 

There's a saying in Germany:

"There is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing"

Once appropriately dressed I continued. By now with zero chance of making it for 4:30. With another couple of top-ups to the tyre, I arrived at 205 Hoyles Lane at 5:10. It was pitch black. I was a bit wet. But an hour later all was well. Clean and dry. No cycling tomorrow, so a chance to repair or replace my innertube. 

Day 1 - Sunday 3rd November

Alsager to Warrington 

Miles today: 36

Miles so far: 36

A nice easy day to start my bike ride. I was still at home at 10:30am when the rain stopped. So I left at 11:15 with the waterproofs in the bag and that's where they stayed. 

The new leather saddle felt a bit slippy and I wondered if it might be better if I tilted it up slightly. I have tools with me but as I was approaching Winsford, and had plenty of time, I called in on our friends Ray and Sarah-Jane. Ray is a keen cyclist (roadbike) and has all the tools, so it only took a minute to adjust my saddle. 

After a hot drink and a mince pie, I was on my way to Warrington where my bed breakfast and evening meal was waiting at chez Bamber's. I arrived safely at 4pm.

Tomorrow is forecasted to be sunny and I have a 70 mile route planned, taking the long way to Preston. Going via Halewood (round the back of the Jag factory) then through Liverpool past Aintree racecourse, turning right just before Southport to head over to Preston. Planned start time 07:45 :-)

New bike delivered

I left my old bike in Switzerland. It would have cost more to bring it back via trains and an overnight stay, than to leave it there for future holidays and get a flight home.
So, I needed a new bike and looked at several models before ordering my new one two weeks ago. It arrived on Tuesday and here it is being unpacked: