The laundry is done, the bike has been serviced, the bodies are rested - time to start the second half!
It was good having a couple days to recoup and figure out our strategy going forward. Although we thought we had trained pretty thoroughly, we’ve found two gaps. The first is the extended number of hours we would spend in the saddle is much more than we trained for. We typically would knock off a day of 40-50 miles in about 4 hours. Due to the hills, it’s taking us longer, much longer. Our record is 8.5 hours to do 45 miles. And due to the climb after climb we’re in the seat longer ( or pushing 😂). That’s why the bums are taking so very long to toughen up.
The second training gap, which thankfully we discovered on the Manchester to home day, is heavy rain and cold all day - getting very wet and very cold. We’ve obviously been out in the rain before, we live in Lancashire! But, we haven’t sought out a cold, wet, chucking it down rainy day - because why would you leave this to go out in the rain!
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We should have, for no other reason than to test the gear in those conditions. Knowing what we know now, we’ve rejigged the packed gear and upped the warm clothes throughout.
Left home at about 9:15. Pedalled up Revidge, pedalled up to Longridge. Went to Scorton for second breakfast. Very much our usual stomping grounds, so familiar with the route. Out to Glasson Dock and the rail trail to Lancaster. Actually it passes Lancaster which works well for us. Then up into the Lake District through the parklands of an estate, swinging past a stately home as we went through and then taking a different route from there to Kendal is time - to avoid the aggravating bits from last time - many steep hills, no views. We got the views and then some! One last very sharp climb (push) and then the descent into Kendal.
The Sonata Guest House seems to be okay, clean and a quick walk to food. Had to lock the bike inside their outdoor front railing, we’ll see how it is in the morning 🤞. Dinner was at a very bustling Italian, good food and a nice bottle of Falangina.
Not as wiped out as when we did this trip 700 odd miles ago which is very nice indeed!
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| Better run to Kendal this time! |
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| On top of the Lake Distrust |
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| Yep, this one’s going to take a while |
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| One of the prettiest spots I’ve ever been! |
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| We’ll push that one |
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| Rest stop |
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| The view keeps getting better and better |
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| We should come here more often |
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| Rt 700, on the way to Kendal |
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| A lake in the Lake District |
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| Old stone bridge |
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| A stately home |
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| A pub stop, just for a Diet Pepsi |
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| Village street |
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| Old church |
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| The hills in the distance |
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| Train bridge on the way into Lancaster |
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| In Scorton |
Lovely first day of the 4th section. We’re over 600 miles now!
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| A favourite |
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| Night out at an Italian in Kendal |
So nice to have a half way rest in such a lovely spot. Thank goodness for the good weather on your way back out though. Otherwise you might have turned back around. We’ve had our fair share of wet rides and can’t say it’s easy on the mindset but such an adventure and warm beverages to bolster your motivation and help to carry on.
ReplyDeleteIt was wonderful starting off on a sunny day! And you’re right, makes a huge difference to the mindset. Yellow lenses help brighten things up too!
DeleteSo we had done yesterday’s ride (home to Kendal) earlier this year. For those local to area we did a slightly different route. We used the cycle paths in Lancaster to cross the river then did A6 (rather than canal towpath) to Carnforth. Then route 6 to Milnthorpe but then picked up the Cumbrian Cycleway (route 700) which is a great ride through Brigsteer. Up Bigsteer Brow ( that was the walk!!!) and into Kendal. IMHO this is a better route than last time. Two miles more, 200 more feet of climb but a better day. Today is short in terms of miles but over Shap which is one of the few times we go over 1500 feet, the last time was Devon and Exmoor. I think that maybe Dramochter (maybe spelt that wrong) Pass between Pitlochry and Aviemore in about a week from now might be another. I understand from “Mission Contol” aka Katherine who runs the tour from here phone off the back of the bike, we are 10 lbs lighter but the luggage is 6 lbs heavier so that should only get better on this second half. The average speed yesterday was pretty much the same, the improvement from the last time we cycled this route is we were able to walk into the town for dinner rather than hobble around the hotel 😁. Interesting to see what the legs have to say about the climb later today but I think the 800 miles we did since the last time has helped. Bring it on!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful day to start back out again and such beautiful countryside. Wishing you dry and sunny days for second half or your journey!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
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