We set off from the hotel in Kendal, and pretty much straight in to a 9 mile climb up Shap Fell. With a full selection of gears and some new tyres I found a new sense of confidence and managed to press on quite nicely. The weather was pretty murky but the views down in to the valley were still awe-inspiring. There was hill fog rolling down the valley, some brilliant sunshine and rain showers which brought magnificent rainbows.
Once at the top, there was only one way to go which was a lovely long and smooth run back down. There was a morning rest after 25 miles or so at Eamont Bridge before we got to Penrith. We carried on to Carlisle for lunch, before the big milestone of the day.
The sun came out after lunch (with a few small showers) and we made it to the border. Cue a photo opportunity - well, you've got to haven't you? Another mile up the road and we came to Gretna which had more photos.
Once they were done and dusted, it was time to press on for the hotel in Lockerbie. It was a pretty blustery ride but made it through the crosswinds. There are some lovely long straight roads in this part of the country. However, when I spotted some cyclists about a mile up the road I thought they were some of ours so I hammered it as much as I could to catch them only to find they were three mates on their own cycle and nothing to do with us. Whoops! But at least it got me to the hotel a bit sharpish!
A lovely hotel tonight. Everyone is here and we all had a meal together which is nice to have a chilled evening all in one place.
I think that's about it. Heading across country tomorrow for a hotel in Livingston. From there I think pretty much everyone is heading in to Edinburgh tomorrow evening.
Photos:
Today's route
Tonight's hotel
View from our hotel room
At the border
At the border
I made it!
On the moor
All together at lunch (still got my rain jacket on day 7!)
Ta da
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