After a stop-start beginning to the day as we wound our way through the footpaths, housing estates and cycle paths of Warrington, we managed to get going on some nice roads. Only let down by yet more rain! It's the only thing we can't control so can't worry too much about it.
Had a puncture within the first 10 miles, which didn't help progress very much. While replacing the tube, I noticed the tyres didn't look too clever. That paired with my bent rear derailleur meant that I was looking forward to getting to the hotel more than usual as there is an Evans Cycles shop literally across the road!
The day was again not overly eventful for me, and our group as a whole, but unfortunately a cyclist in one of the other groups had a nasty fall and has a suspected broken hip. Just as we arrived in Preston, there were some railway tracks set in the road. They didn't realise just how slippery they were and over he went. He's currently in Preston hospital awaiting the diagnosis. Ray is one of the older chaps on the ride and was doing so well. Fingers crossed he can get to Lands End in some capacity, if not in a bike.
We arrived a few minutes after, but luckily another group had got there in front and warned us to slow down/stop and get off. Someone in my group unclipped and was carefully getting over the tracks when he slipped over, luckily not hurting himself too much. We heard later that 5 of the 37 of us had an incident of some sort there.
Lunch was in a village called Garstang. A lovely little pub/restaurant called The Tithe Barn, right next to the canal. Had it been a nice day, it would have been a lovely spot to sit out and have lunch. As it was, we were grateful for the lovely big plate of cottage pie.
After lunch we pressed on and came across a rather large flood. One chap went on through, and I gamely followed. Halfway through, and it was up to my knees. It was too late to turn back so I kept on pedalling until I got through. The rest of the group turned back and found an alternative route. So John and I pressed on to Kendal and made some good time, meeting up with Group 1 after they had their own adventures getting lost and heading down the down the dual carriageway (A8?)!
Made it to Kendal, reported in at the hotel then headed straight over to Evans. I Said my rear derailleur was bent and they fixed the problem within 5 minutes (foc) - great customer service! It will need repairing properly when I get home, but it should now get me to John O'Groats. I'm looking forward tomorrow, because for the past 2 days I've only had 4 useable gears. I didn't want to started meddling with it as it was working well enough although some of the hills were tough with limited ratios!
I've also fitted two new All Condition tyres this evening as some of the roads have been terrible so far.
That's all for tonight, well done if you're still reading this far down the page!
Photos (in no particular order):
Kendal High Street
Lancaster
Lancaster
Lunch
Twas a bit deep!
Today's route
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