End of Part 2

That was the single biggest section of riding ive ever done. It felt great to be back in the saddle. In addition to pushing up my fitness I was able to really get back into cycling after my crash and definitely feel more confident. The new tyres I brought post crash are turning out to be amazing, slightly more resistance but a good feel and after 400 rough miles not a sign of wear or damage.

As Im sat on the train home, its great to see virgin trains have a sense of humour encouraging passengers not to flush their hopes and dreams down the toilet. See the photo. Theres another noisy lady on the train here. Ignoring the fact were in the quiet coach, shes a irritating noisy scouser.  Shut up woman! The more she talks the lower her iq falls, some of the crap coming out of her mouth is ridiculous. As we pass preston, some young students get on and continue the dumb talk. Firstly they debate a planet which is apparently 200 million light years away and whether a spaceship could reach it in someone's lifetime. Next up is concorde and why thats no longer in service and finally life planning with their boyfriends "I want a new car",  "I might get an abortion when pregnant to get on big brother". Oh and then theres the salt free diet they claim to have "i dont add salt to nothing except chips". How did these people survive evolution?

When ill get back up to finish LEJOG I dont know ive some time off in late July but ive a feeling itll wait til Sept or Oct. We shall see what i can fit around work, I reckon ive another 7 days riding with a travel day at either end. 

LEJOG DAY 8

King of the Mountains

Today follows much of the route of the tour of britain last year as they headed through the lakes from keswick to kendal and boy does it involve some proper hills. Hills that definitely dont help my knee.

After a lay in and lovely breakfast at my B&B, I set off just before 9 along the breezy Morecambe promenade.  I pass a sign proclaiming the start of one of the coast to coast cycle routes running from Morecambe to somewhere on the East coast. The guest house owner says they regularly get people staying who are cycling the route. At 170 miles some folk bash it out in a day but most take 3-5. I think 3 would work nicely, make a nice long weekend ride at some point.

The first 20 miles into kendal (in hindsight) are a gentle introduction but still have some decent climbs since we're on the fringes of the lakes. I have to call into Kendal rail station to book my tickets home for tomorrow and get a bike reservation. The attendant didnt seem too impressed I wanted to take my bike and less so when I told him the specific train I wanted. Instead trying to sell me a flexible ticket until I pointed out this would be vastly more expensive. Eventually got booked on the 1620 out of Penrith.

There were about 3 decent passes to cross between Kendal and Windermere, each properly burning my legs. I  walked up one to give my knee a break but soon descended to Bowness on windermere and the crowds who have come out to play on this fine weekend.  It turns out bikes are allowed on windermere ferries so I take my second boat ride of the trip, a leisurely 30 minute ride up the lake to Ambleside. A definite trip highlight so far with clear blue skies above.

After a milkshake and cake stop in Grasmere,  I take on the highest pass of the trip so far over Dunmail Raise and the descent to Brothers Water. A 30 minute ride later im able to tag a tow on another  cyclist up the final ascent before a massive descent into Keswick.  The freewheeling makes up for the hard work and the 45mph run gets the adrenaline pumping and a massive thumbs up :D

The following day is mostly at my leisure. Because of having to book specific trains to take my bike home on, I dont leave Penrith until late afternoon which is only 20 hilly miles away. That in mind I can afford to have a relaxed breakfast and head off late morning. Hopefully somewhere in Penrith will be open to have a look around for a few hours. I get to penrith at lunchtime, the ride was much more hilly than I thought.  I find a pub for a Sunday lunch with possibly the worlds noisiest landlady, I dont care what people the other end of the pub order but we all heard it. Penrith is a nice place though and a great point to pause my journey before the last leg through Scotland later in the year. 

LEJOG Day 7

Liverpool to...

Im taking a relaxed approach to progress on this trip, booking accommodation on the same day. I figured on getting towards Morecambe which was all going to plan when half an hour in I realise I left my backpack back at the yha. It delayed me about an hour to get the metro back and collect it. Frustrating.

The rest of the day went well, it was pleasantly flat going, a relief after a few hilly days. My right knee started giving me some jip today so need to be careful.  Hopefully that will clear up a little tomorrow. I bump into two women nr Garstang who tell me theres a great place for a cream tea in Morecambe but when I arrive there the hotel in question looks decided above my usual standards so I give it a miss.

Tonight im staying in the excellent Trevelyn Guesthouse, comfortable ensuite room with breakfast for £27, what more can you ask for. I spend some time trying to work out a plan for the next day or so,  finding accommodation in the Lakes at short notice proves surprisingly hard and im fortunate to get a bed at Keswick yha. That would give me a slightly shorter but rather hilly day tomorrow.

I treat myself to the traditional fish and chips, watch the stunning sunset over the bay with the southern lakes as a back drop before retiring to tv and bed. My knee is aching more and more so needs some rest, I thimk ive pulled a muscle or ligament so will take a few days to fix when im home.

LEJOG Day 6

If yesterday I was surrounded by posh toffs, ive well and truely redressed that balance today by having dinner in a liverpool weatherspoons. That said its a stunning city and I'm glad it's one of the stops on my ride. Before boarding the ferry across the Mersey I did think about getting the boat to Belfast and incorporating Northern Ireland into my ride but alas I havent the time to do that properly on this trip so next time eh.

The climb out of Ironbridge was as hard as predicted and Telford was surprisingly hilly too. I had a long stretch this morning to reach Whitchurch in Shropshire passing through nice rolling countryside but nothing spectacular. Today wasnt particularly flat either with plenty of relatively short but energy sapping hills just when you didn't want them. Chester was my target for lunch and I made it there just after 1pm. If im honest, it was abit of a let down, I was expecting something abit nicer with  charm and pretty buildings but the bits I saw felt busy and dull.

I found a bicycle path running alongside a canal heading towards ellesmere port which made a change from the busy roads but after 3 miles the uneven surface was shaking me and my bike to destruction so I jumped back on the road and found the A41 which would take me all the way to the ferry.  Part way along I stopped in a bike shop for a nose around and to ask if there was a quieter route into town. Alas a customer insisted on personally showing me the way to Liverpool (still some distance mind) and wouldnt ride too fast - he went so damn slow. Apparently there was a quieter back roads route but after a few miles going along the same busy road,  it was clearly the only way. I regularly said I would sort my own way and eventually resorted tl dropping back, pulling over a feigning a phone call until he was out of sight. Apparently he was going to the ferry too but wasnt there when I got there so not sure what that was all about. 

The yha here is in a great location near to the waterfront but thats about the only thing going for it. The interior is dated,  shower area dirty and staff not particularly great. All of which is unusual for the yha but wont staying in this one again. On the plus side, I completed an online survey and got a 10% off voucher which ill use in a day or two. Ive spent abit of time this evening trying to figure out where I want to go next.  My original plan of arnside is probably abit ambitious and the hostel there is shut anyway so im thinking of Morecambe with fish and chips by the sea. Weston Super Mare seems a long time ago. Today was pretty tough but rewarding at the same time. Im getting a little saddle sore so hopefully tomorrow will be a slightly shorter day.  Still Weston to Liverpool in 3 days, im happy with that.

LEJOG DAY 5

Who'd have thought that ironbridge would be full of posh toffs, I thought I was getting too far north for that.  Atleast Merseyside tomorrow should redress that balance.

I left early today since I had to get my bike repaired, the kink in my front wheel from hitting a drain yesterday really needed looking at. It was pretty shakey whilst braking, a time I want complete confidence in my bike. It was about an hour and a half up to Hereford along busy and hilly roads to the beautiful market city (actually more like a town but it has a cathedral). I found a bike shop and after explaining my ride and the issue they took it into the workshop and repaired it whilst I went for a milkshake and brownie. Amazing service and all for £8 rather than the £50 or so I was expecting to pay for a new rim.  Top job guys.

After Hereford the rest of todays ride was almost dead north. I made good progress to Leominster and then my lunch stop and Ludlow with a few big hills but mostly flatish going. Ludlow had a lovely bakery where I indulged in my usual pasty and donut and then made a reservation for accommodation tonight. Since progress was going well I decided to head to Ironbridge which would hopefully slightly shorten my day tomorrow.

I spent much of the ride to Much Wenlock hoping there would be a pub in the next village for a drink and bowl of chips but alas it was always shut or there was no pub at all despite cycling through perhaps 10-12 villages. Much Wenlock seemed like a nice place then just one more hill before descending towards my hostel for the night. The location once again is stunning, right in the gorge next to the river but that does unfortunately mean theres a bugger of a hill (towards Telford) tomorrow right on leaving the hostel. Ill probably walk up since conservation of energy is the key to completing this ride. I went out for food at the Woodbridge Inn, lovely meal and I even got a £12 off voucher for next time I eat at one of their pubs. Grand!

LEJOG Day 4

Well this was a long time coming. Trying to get up to my room on the 3rd floor here is like watching paint dry. Elderly folk slowly lifting their quivering leg to the next step before a minute pause, a moan about vertigo and a questioning comment about how many calories they are burning off by not queing for the lift. Without being rude, I think actually id rather you waited for the lift. Least then I won't have to call an ambulance when you fall.

Seriously though, this was a long time coming. Im on the road again.

The day was a series of challenges,  from finding my way over the Avon and Severn bridges (theres a cycle path alongside the motorway) to the hills of Monmouthshire. I also managed to get my front wheel stuck in a drain and as such now have a bent wheel, something ill have to try and get repaired tomorrow. Itll probably be a new wheel which is abit of a pain. The riding was really mixed, from quiet country rosds to horrible big A roads,  it should be quieter for the next couple of days until I reach Liverpool. 

Im at Wye Valley yha tonight which is nestled besides the River Wye. A nice spot but up and down a massive hill which I have to repeat in the morning. I met a few interesting folk including a teacher who wants to become a DofE instructor.  For now im just happy to rest and get an early night. My fitness held out ok but its still developing post crash so I need to be kind to my body.  Night all

Back to the Bike

Nuneaton never ceases to amaze me, or rather some of the people who call that shabby town home. I shouldnt really be getting surprised any more yet I do. When I went into Nuneaton station the other day to book my train ticket to weston super mare, finding a space to park my car for free,  im waved down by a van driver who proceeds to call me a "selfish bastard" and a variety of other unprintable names since I didnt wave thanks at him for letting me through a narrow gap on the road. Nevermind me concentrating on the wheel and manuvering between cars. As if the unprovoked road rage wasnt random enough,  the guy  clearly didnt realise he was sat in his work van with the company name and phone number written on the side. Sadly he sped off before I could remember the whole number.  How stupid!

So now the following monday im sat on a train to Bristol before changing to weston. In august last year Weston was the stopping point for the first leg of my Lands End to John O Groats cycle ride having come up from Lands End in 2 1/2 demanding days. Since then the months have been busy with work and recovering from a broken jaw, ironically sustained from a low speed bike crash in January. Ive had a few rides out since then but nothing of any note so the week ahead will no doubt be a big test. Im being flexible about how far I get but id like to finish be whole ride in 2 more legs so need to really bash out some mileage.

Tonight im staying in The Sandringham Hotel in Weston on a last minute room deal.  Im trying to link together yha's on this trip but have to fill a few gaps with b&b accommodation.  The hotel is nice enough,  classically british seaside hotel really. Not Fawlty Towers but not the Radisson either. In the afternoon i explore the pier before a fish and chip dinner. My dinner however is interupted by someome who knows me by sight and name striking upa conversation which results in my pie going cold. Ive not a clue who he is mind, an old school friend presumably but his tales of women troubles is making my dinner cold!

Well thats enough excitement for one day, tomorrow im up to the Wye Valley.