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.
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