A late start this morning as I was faffing around in Boots trying to find a decent knee support. After two visits and two neoprene knee supports sizes later I ended up using my tubular old standby bandage. I shall return the knee support when I get back as it's pretty useless.
I think Carlisle Council need to rethink how their roads are laid out. Talk about confusing, bus lanes, cycle paths, one way only, taxis only, more pedestrian crossings then St Helier all with different road markings and signs just causes sensory overload.
I managed to navigate my way out of Carlisle along the A6 straight into the first climb off the day. About 17 miles to Penrith and I was lucky with the weather with the rain stopping and the wind easing off so made good time.
On to Shap which was about another 10 miles of quite hilly roads.
Through Shap and headed to Shap Fell Pass which at 1300ft is pretty high. The climb up was pretty tough but the views from the top were amazing with the Yorkshire dales to the east and the hills of the Lake District to the west.
Again I seemed to be in a pocket of good weather.
Some club cyclists passed me on the way up with cries of " keep those small wheels turning mate good effort" as they sped past. Is at times like that I wish I was on my road bike travelling light instead of on my Brompton and carrying 12 Kgs of baggage.
A fast decent followed clocking 46 mph which was pretty hairy on my little 16" wheels.
Before I knew it I was in Kendal. At this point i would like to say thanks to the the fat family in their Citroën Piscaso that were to busy eating their McDonalds (driver included) and who nearly knocked me off my bike at a roundabout.
I could see the fat kid in the backseat with a Big Mac (probably supersized at the counter) stuffed in his gob looking at me saying" where did you appear from with your bright florescent waterproof on!
Never mind "drinking and driving" there should be a law against people, fat people eating McDonalds and driving full stop!
I was looking good for an early arrival in Lancaster but with 18 miles to go the heavens opened up and looking at the local news it's been the heaviest this year with 50mm in 1 hour.
Soaked and pretty risky on the roads with the conditions and traffic. The trouble is the more you cycle the more your aware that you are a second class citizen on the road. Most drivers just don't care . The road conditions on the side of the road are normally bad, potholes, drain covers, debris and big pools of water which hide a few surprises. It does not make for good cycling.
Eventually arrived at about 1700hrs so pretty good ride today all be it a bit shorter at 72 miles.
Most interesting thing seen today: sign that said you should be aware of red squirrels as if they were dangerous!
Road kill:
4x hedgehogs
2x rabbits
1x blackbird
. _?Q
I think the sign should have said "Beware of fat red squirrels eating mcdonalds while driving"...
ReplyDeleteForecast is for a bit more rain but improving.. Its character building mate. :)