Day 6 Northwich to Kendal

Today was the day of random acts of kindness. More on that later.

Weather again was fabulous, and a busy section into Warrington along the A49, before stopping for supplies. Navigating through Warrington into Newton-le-willows, where we were greeted by Lucy. Complete with supplies, hugs and words of inspiration. Really great to have a friendly face to cheer us along.

Up through into haydock and joined the A 6 which we would follow for the next few days and our king not the mountains developed a painful leg, niggles earlier in the day had multiplied to the point of actual pain. So a stop for lunch in Euxton delivered some more magic cream and a 20 pound donation from the pharmacist. Very generous.

Shortly after we encountered some more mechanical problems that presented yet another act of kindness. We located the reknown wheel builders of Tarty Bikes who fixed our ailment, set us on our way whilst refusing any form of payment.

With some miles to make up. The planned route was scrubbed instead for the direct route, which meant for a hairy few miles through Preston city centre into the outskirts, made up some good time but tired out the pedallers.

Good progress saw us make it to Lancaster reaching the half way point and circumnavigate the tricky one way system. Enjoyed some magnificent scenery north of Lancashire into Cumbria, then caught some hills before arriving Kendal. B&b was lovely with the surprise that Karl and Sue had come over to relieve of us some of our unnecessary kit. A final act of kindness

Day 6 facts

Day 6 mileage 86.5
Total mileage 472
Number of hills pushed up 0
Random acts of kindness 4

Day 5 Ludlow to Northwich ( well Acton Bridge)

We awoke to blazing sunshine and soaring temperatures today. Setting up the bikes was an effort in itself. Fortunately after setting off cloud cover set in. Meaning a rather cooler 30 miles. Nice change.

With not many towns on our route today we were loaded up with provisions and water.

Passed through some pleasant green Shropshire countryside as we crawled north. And was making good time until 50 miles

When cycling its common to see the odd Closed Road sign. Today we saw another and did the same as we did with the previous. Ignored,

Alas after 5 miles we found a jobsworth man in a hiviz vest, telling us there was no way through. Rather than a potential 10 mile detour we decided to go into the field, then another. After some rambling we found a gap in the fence, and a road roller driver sympathetic to our plight waved us through.

Today also came with our first bike maintenance. They've all been running well in the past days. Noticed a bit of a wobble in one of the back wheels, turned out a loose spoke and a broken nipple. Nothing major. Duck tape to rescue and soldiered on.

Got to Nantwich and went past a bike shop where the guy said he could fix, would take 3o mins, so we had an impromptu break.

All resolved and bikes running well. Reached our accommodation, and the lovely owners dropped us off at the pub and picked us up. Priceless.

Day 5 stats

Day 5 miles 84
Total miles 385.5
Number of hills pushed up today 2
Number of fields carried bikes through 2

Day 4 bristol to Ludlow

We left Bristol with full bellies and clear skies. Amazing route out under the Clifton suspension bridge, fortunately we didn't need to climb to go over it. Lovely ride through and then over the jaw dropping Severn bridge.

Into Wales, although only briefly as we climbed out of chepstow and into Gloucestershire. The route followed Offa's dyke for a bit before entering the forest of dean, splendid scenery coming out of the forest.

The ride undulated through to Hereford, where surprisingly the legs felt strong.

Bit of publicity on the local BBC radio station which was slightly surreal before heading off towards Leominster and a surprisingly tough 11 miles to Ludlow, with a lovely welcome at our b&b of the night,

Day 4 stats

Day 4 miles 78 miles
Total mileage 301.5 miles
Number of hills pushed up 0
Number of Spars spotted in 15 mins we were in Wales 4

Day 3 tiverton (just outside) to Bristol

With the hills of Devon and Mt Cornwall behind us. Today suggested an easy outing to loosen the legs. That was the plan anyway.

Not the case as there is indeed no such thing as an easy day cycling lejog. It was pleasant though. For the average speed up. Enjoyed some fantastic sections, and visited the lovely Staunton and Bristol, 2 places I'd Luke to return to.

Of particular noted was the taunton to Bridgwater canal, with some gorgeous houses ( or rather properties if you watch Kirstie and Phil). They've even ripped off the planet trail that runs between York and ricall. Although its rather confusing as there was 2 neptues, and they weren't in the right order. Later we decided that its a circular route.

Secondly was the Strawberry Trail just outside of cheddar towards Bristol. Lovely ride through there, with a first for me. Cycling through an orchard!!

Day 3 facts
Day 3 miles 73.5
Total miles 223.5
Number of hills pushed up today 0
Number of orchards cycled through 1

Day 2 bodmin to tiverton (just past it)

Epic day today. Epic miles, epic hills, epic hedges.

Yes for Cornwall sites were indeed hampered by the famous tall hedges. Mile upon mile.

Land it is today we said good bye to Cornwall and hello to Devon. Just before we passed there was a flat bed truck, and I'm not going to stereotype but the registration was P1 KEE. Oh how I laughed

Apart from the hills there was a good section along the granite way into Okehampton, skirting around Dartmoor. Some pretty views.

Weather was pretty amazing today with a break from the temperature highs of yesterday. The lovely Carol from BBC weather tells me that tomorrow is going to be hot.

Day 2 facts

Mileage today 78.5
Total mileage 149.5
Hills pushed up 3
Hills Tom's pushed up 0
Streams traversed 2

Day 1 lands end to bodmin

Day 1 started with some fine fair at our b&b in Sennen before freewheeling to the start.

As you would expect there were quite a few others embarking today, and although you may think I am to generalise, but they were all tossers. There was team mamils that muscled in on the photograph with calls off "who's got the most expensive bike." There was the supported ride with team Canada who really should have worn a supportive bra at the end of land

So we got some photos and off we went. Mile 1.5 hit our first Holland up later still hitting them. Lovely countryside. Penzance was lovely with St Michael's mount ( although nowhere as awesome as St mont Michel). We reached Penzance which is about 10 miles in and the team mamil were having a cup of tea in their support transit van. Team Canada were coincidentally ambeling along 10miles in and still no supportive under garments.

As there is no official route we never met them again. Who knows if our paths will cross in the remaining days. Let's hope not.

So our route ambled from Penzance, hayle (where they sell in bru) redruth, Truro, and eventually Bodmin.

We now venture for food

Day1 done

Day1 mileage 71
Total mileage 71
Total number if hills pushed up 3
Pieces if Toblerone walloped before my tea 6

The day before

So here we are on the cusp of something epic.

The drive down was lovely, which has set expectations for an easy day tomorrow. We got to our accommodation in a little village which is busier than I thought. Pretty little place called Sennen.

We ventured for a little walk to the end. That is lands end. Ironically I could see some land after lands end.

Lands end was not quite what I expected. It has its own 4d cinema. Just what Cornwall needed, past the Brian blessad experience, the end to enders museum we found a lifeboat, got a little excited cause we thought we could climb over it. Alas it was securely fenced off with red and white plastic tape. No way we could get through that.

Around the corner was the second famous post at lands end. The most famous post at lands end had been removed as a Cornish entrepreneur had taken it home and returns daily. For the tune of 12 quid you can get your photo next to that. So we got our photo on the free one,

We topped off the day with a pint of Cornish lager at the lands end, where signs a plenty points d out that there was no room for evening meal. There must have been a coach party due cause there was bugger all people in the place, so we had Cornish pasty flavour crisps and mustered back.

Chippy for tea which was nice. Rumours that you can't get sauce in the south are exaggerated as fine curry sauce was sourced.

Day 0
Miles today 0
Total miles 0
Local ales sampled 2 (doombar and Cornish lager)