The alert reader will realise that the number of days has gone awry! There are 2 Day 5 and now we are on Day 8. This is because a) my scribe is incompetent and b) we took a day off yesterday. And a thoroughly enjoyable day it was too . Friends from Durham came over to see us and we all had a take-away curry. Just the thing to set you up for a day on the bike.
We got an early start 8.15am (not because of the curry)and it was a beautiful sunrise with mist over the peaks around Great Harwood. The day became overcast to the north and looked like rain was threatening around lunchtime but it held off and gradually got brighter. We have had a wonderful sunset and lovely evening.
The route today was a revelation, not least because we hadn't planned to go up and over Kirkstone Pass, more on that later. From our base we set off west through Wilpshire over the A666 to Ribchester and on to Longridge. This was down one side of the Ribble Valley and up the other on minor roads till we got to the A6 at Broughton at 9.30am. Then we zoomed up the A6 0n a very flat route to Lancaster, where we went in search of a bike shop.
Doron's spoke problem had returned and we got expert advice so it shouldn't recur again. The countryside was fairly nondescript along the A6 and we went rapidly off this route when it became a busy dual carriageway passing west of Kendal. We joined the A591 and from there we got headstrung and diverted from the original plan which had been to carry on up the A6 .
Instead we headed into the Lake District, up through Windemere, and, out of sheer exuberance and/or foolishness, and because of a book Doron had brought along, we took on the challenge of the Kirkstone Pass. Doron made the 1500 feet climb in one, I had a couple of stops ! But it was certainly worth it, gorgeous views all round. We had a celebratory warm sugary tea at the top, flapjacks and photos before hurtling down to Ullswater at a rash, and for me rather frightening, pace! Heading for our B and B at Greystoke we opted for the A5091 out of Ullswater to Troutbeck. I would rather we had hugged the west side of the lake, further but flatter, but Doron had the bit between his teeth.
Doron is currently looking fairly composed and has been heard saying "its been the best day yet: and phrases like "I absolutely loved it" and 'there wasn't enough mountain". Personally I am feeling fairly good in spirit but my body feels like I have climbed the mountain on foot.
Statistics
Todays miles 90.1
Total so far 538.06
Hours in the saddle 6 hours 38minutes
Average speed 13.5mph
Max speed 37.8 mph (Kirkstone!)
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