Day 5 All Stretton to Preston

After another early rise, we left the hostel at 6.50am in the rain with dark clouds all around. The weather today was lovely for ducks and did not let off all day.

The plan was to cycle 10 miles into Shrewsbury and get some breakfast, but we ploughed on 35 miles into Whitchurch and devoured a big breakfast.

We always knew that today was going to be the worst day trying to get through the busy towns of the North West. This was challenging dodging buses and the spray of the big wagons, so we were heads down all day and pushing the big miles.

The Garmins came into their own allowing us to follow the route through Wigan and Warrington, when the last thing you want to do is get lost in the pouring rain!

A big thank you to Jonty Norris for making the effort to join us from Wigan up to Preston. Especially when he was in London in the morning. Was a great catch up and another member to the Williams steam train as we head up the country.

There was nothing really scenic to report today due to the rain but on arriving at Preston we had clocked up 97 miles, so a quick scenic tour quickly got us up to 100 miles and we were certainly ready to stop and rest the legs.

http://www.strava.com/activities/146609915

We found a pub close to our Premier inn which did a special offer of 2 meals for a reduced rate. The waitress struggled to understand that we wanted a main meal for starter and the other main to follow and we made her laugh by asking where the nearest kebab shop was at the end!

Time for an early night to tackle the hills of the lakes to hopefully get up to Carlisle.

Stats the date
Miles: 406
Height climbed : 18,468ft
Calories burnt : 14,377

Day 2 – Lostwithiel to Exeter

Even though there was band playing directly underneath us last night we heard the first number at 9pm and then slept through the noise like kings!

The usual full works breakfast set us up for the day and our weather luck ran out as we had heavy rain all morning. It was still a warm day and the sun broke through, so we finished in our cycling jerseys.

This was the hilliest day of the ride with 5600ft of climbing. We coped well with the hills but the long distance days will test us. Setting off sharp tomorrow for an 82 mile ride.
http://www.strava.com/activities/145416070

The quaint roads of Devon provided lovely views of Dartmoor and thatched cottaged villages.

Geoff got his Cornish pasty … Which finally shut him up!

Off to meet an old friend of ours tonight and staying in the luxury of a premier inn!

First nights B+B

Little bit on the wet side