A seven o clock wake up in the travelodge led to a Subway breakfast and us on the road at 9 o'clock.
Nothing to do with me faffing around oh no... Anyway out of Carlisle a much prettier road than the one we arrived on climbed upwards towards clouds threatening rain despite the forecast promising sunshine. In the distance we could see the Lake District rising out of the mist to the West and we knew we would have some climbing to do today.
After a few climbs and photos of cows eating ferns that Chris had used to persuade them to pose for him we made Penrith. With the breeze behind us we were making good time and took the chance to look at some of the local architecture.
After Penrith came the 1400 foot climb to the top of Shap Pass where there were the twin view of the Yorkshire Moors to the East and the Lake district to the West. Despite it's beauty the real reward was the downhill afterwards where tired legs decided instead of resting to see how quickly we could go. 50.2mph if you are interested, according to the gps. Going back to architecture, the houses have a distinct look here, places to live in that demand they will be here for a very long time indeed. Stern, but with a beauty in their strength. Over each dry stone walls were landscapes of deep green and browns rising away from the road. We arrived in Kendal and went unsuccessfully in search of tea and mint cake. A 50 percent success rate isn't abysmal but it meant I had to settle for an oat cake.
A mile outside of Kendal we were caught by a shower that we had managed to dodge for far too long. Within a few minutes we were both soaked to the skin. The next fifty miles would be with very wet feet. The only way to warm up and get dry was to forge on as fast as we could whilst we had a 5 knot tailwind. Lancaster is such a pretty city it was a shame that it was rather rudely dispatched in the blink of an eye. In our defence the skies held more damp aggression and we had Preston in our sights. Towards Preston along the A6 it was a case of spinning the cranks as fast as possible. Heads down and cracking on the miles slipped by, the hills short enough to warm us and the down hills long enough to rest legs.
Eventually we arrived in Preston and a beeline was made the local weatherspoons. Usually the staff have welcomed us and allowed us to bring the bikes inside whilst we drank tea and eat hot food (and occasionally drank a pint) but this time we were met with a blank refusal to bring the bikes in by the manager. Shivering outside Chris used their wifi to try and find us a place to stay the night. A small group came outside and asked what we were doing. On hearing the ride was for the RAFBF one pushed some money into my hand whilst another offered us his spare room. When he heard that we had found a b&b in Fishergate he (checked with the Mrs) and offered the room again which we gladly accepted Richard and Leah gave us their address and agreed to meet us there in 40 minutes so we set out for the final five miles of todays 99 mile ride. When we met them we were brought inside and given hot tea, gin and tonic, washing put in the machine and a hot shower and sorted out with bed for the night in the home of two very kind people. The kindness of strangers never ceases to amaze me.
Nothing to do with me faffing around oh no... Anyway out of Carlisle a much prettier road than the one we arrived on climbed upwards towards clouds threatening rain despite the forecast promising sunshine. In the distance we could see the Lake District rising out of the mist to the West and we knew we would have some climbing to do today.
After a few climbs and photos of cows eating ferns that Chris had used to persuade them to pose for him we made Penrith. With the breeze behind us we were making good time and took the chance to look at some of the local architecture.
After Penrith came the 1400 foot climb to the top of Shap Pass where there were the twin view of the Yorkshire Moors to the East and the Lake district to the West. Despite it's beauty the real reward was the downhill afterwards where tired legs decided instead of resting to see how quickly we could go. 50.2mph if you are interested, according to the gps. Going back to architecture, the houses have a distinct look here, places to live in that demand they will be here for a very long time indeed. Stern, but with a beauty in their strength. Over each dry stone walls were landscapes of deep green and browns rising away from the road. We arrived in Kendal and went unsuccessfully in search of tea and mint cake. A 50 percent success rate isn't abysmal but it meant I had to settle for an oat cake.
A mile outside of Kendal we were caught by a shower that we had managed to dodge for far too long. Within a few minutes we were both soaked to the skin. The next fifty miles would be with very wet feet. The only way to warm up and get dry was to forge on as fast as we could whilst we had a 5 knot tailwind. Lancaster is such a pretty city it was a shame that it was rather rudely dispatched in the blink of an eye. In our defence the skies held more damp aggression and we had Preston in our sights. Towards Preston along the A6 it was a case of spinning the cranks as fast as possible. Heads down and cracking on the miles slipped by, the hills short enough to warm us and the down hills long enough to rest legs.
Eventually we arrived in Preston and a beeline was made the local weatherspoons. Usually the staff have welcomed us and allowed us to bring the bikes inside whilst we drank tea and eat hot food (and occasionally drank a pint) but this time we were met with a blank refusal to bring the bikes in by the manager. Shivering outside Chris used their wifi to try and find us a place to stay the night. A small group came outside and asked what we were doing. On hearing the ride was for the RAFBF one pushed some money into my hand whilst another offered us his spare room. When he heard that we had found a b&b in Fishergate he (checked with the Mrs) and offered the room again which we gladly accepted Richard and Leah gave us their address and agreed to meet us there in 40 minutes so we set out for the final five miles of todays 99 mile ride. When we met them we were brought inside and given hot tea, gin and tonic, washing put in the machine and a hot shower and sorted out with bed for the night in the home of two very kind people. The kindness of strangers never ceases to amaze me.
It's because what you are both doing is so special, keep up the great work! Loving the blog btw!
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