Again, sorry for the delay in updating our progress as we make our way from Lands End to John O'Groats. Here's a quick recap.
Our group consists of Michelle, Sherman Bull and me, Stephen Yates and Rachel Walter who we met on an Arizona cycling trip almost 2 years ago, Andy (a Brit), Susan (an Aussie) who now lives in London and Bob who is from Colorado. Our leaders are petite Paul and tall Tom.
We started riding Sunday September 13th, leaving Lands End and heading for Bodmin some 74 miles away. The weather was windy and the hills were steep but the rain held off for most of the day. As we arrived at our destination (Westberry Hotel) the rain started and became heavier into the night. The Westberry was not as nice as a Motel 6, only getting 2 stars.
Sept 14th started in the rain and progressively got worse. Heavy rain, gale force winds and temperatures in the 40's. You can look at the blog for day two and get a better idea of our trip to Brampton. Day 2 was a brutal day (82 miles) that most of us were able to only ride 50 miles before hypothermia started to set in. We finished the day in Tiverton at the Best Western. The hotel had no laundry services to dry our wet gear but said the room heaters and towel racks would come on automatically at midnight. They never did so we packed our wet riding gear hoping for laundry service at the next stop.
Sept 25th was a "recovery" day of 55 miles to wells. The weather cooperated for most of the day which made the day quite pleasant. The ride was relatively flat compared to day one and two. We stayed at Number 23, a guest house outside the town of Wells. Liz, the innkeeper was wonderful, making us feel right at home. She made us tea and said included with the stay, she did our laundry! Mother Teresa! We had a wonderful night and had a great Italian meal in town.
September 16 was a long and hilly day of 85 miles to Hereford. The highlight of the day was meeting up with 3 of our XC mates who drove hours to join us for dinner. It was so special getting together with Geoffrey, Tim and Richard (and their wives for dinner at a "Proper Pub".
Sept 17 was another shorter distance day of 57 miles. Again the weather cooperated but there were more big hills, especially at the end of the ride up to the hotel. I've been having issues with my bike, whenever I climb or generally put load on the bike I get a screeching noise. We found a great, high end shop in Ludlow that was kind enough to take a look. They tightened the crank and after a few additional purchases we were underway. Almost immediately the noise came back so we turned around and headed back to the shop. Michelle was feeling tired so I suggested she continue on the 23 miles to the hotel which she did, leaving me to get my bike repaired. After two hours the problem was diagonased as a faulty rear cluster.. It was replaced and after 2 hours I was back on the road headed for the Telford Hotel and Golf Resort our home for the night. Much of the remaining 23 miles was on small roads (more like paths) through georgeous farm country filled with cows and sheep. As I rode along I had the worst feeling of what would happen if Michelle were to have a puncture (flat) while riding alone. Because of a lack of cartledge she doesn't have the hand strength to change a tire.......just as I was thinking this, bam.....a flat rear tire. I got my tire changed and headed on the final 13 miles to the hotel and of course, the hills getting to the hotel were huge. Just as I was climbing the last hill the screeching came back!
Sept 18 on to Bolton (not far from Manchester) and 88 miles. The day was long but the weather was generally good. The ride felt good for Michelle and me until about 82 miles. The last 6 miles were through heavy city traffic. It felt like it took hours to finish the last 6 miles. We arrived at our home for the night, the Bolton Whites Hotel which is part of a sports complex where a major league "football" soccer team plays. The accommodations were quite nice.
Sept 19th, today, was a 65 mile ride again through the beautiful countryside, but hills and more hills (steep hills). We had a wonderful picnic lunch that Paul made for us at 45 miles. When we asked about the last 20 miles he said it as a little "lumpy". We headed out and after a mile or two we started up and up and up.....climbing at a grade between 6 - -2 percent for 6+ miles. It was a bear of a climb they went on forever. Michelle did an outstanding job tackling this beast without stopping. We arrived at our destination, the Pheasant Inn around 4:00 pm. This is the nicest place we've stayed so far....exactly what you'd think of when thinking of an old English inn. Tonight's meal was spectacular. Tomorrow we're on to Talkin.......almost to Scotland!! Here are some pictures from our journey.
