Day 7 Blackburn 2 Alsager

Late start today, needed a bit more rest after the ordeal of the day before. Colin informs me he's sure his saddled physically violated him yesterday! He showed a great amount of willpower, we were very broken men when we arrived yesterday. Colin's mum was very welcoming and a cracking breakfast to start us off today. Left about 10.00 having only 66 miles today. We decided for the first time not to do the planned route and use main roads, due to the smaller country roads being harder to find if I need rescue. Hail stones to start us off, nice, it is May isn't it? The A666 was terrifying! No wonder it's called the 666 . We did get to see few nice places Worsley was fab, Tudor houses, a canal, and a very nice McLaren garage, £215,000 for the yellow one! There was a massive thunder and lightening storm, we luckily seemed to have just missed as we pulled in and watched it behind us. The knee still a big issue, big day tomorrow. A wonderful welcome from Ei and Ray, with poster and balloons on arrival. Thanks again for all your support x

 

Day 6 Carlisle 2 Blackburn, belated

A war of attrition........
Every foot felt like a mile, every minute an hour and every hill a mountain.
Ok, so you know a few miles in left knee too painful to continue, so one legged, literally unclipped left leg out of pedal and used just right leg for a while, we limped our way to Penrith Hospital. They were very helpful, the doctor said I really need an ultrasound to see what's going on but thinks I've either strained or torn some fibres in the ligament across the knee. They also confirmed the joint wasn't damaged, which I guessed was good news. I looked at the doctor, who looked back and said " there's no point in me telling you to stop and rest and ice it is there?" and promptly added the strongest painkillers I could have would be codeine and wrote out the script. Having collected that from a nearby Sainsburys and a knee support we plodded on. I think if I am able to complete the ride, this day will have been the hardest thing I will have ever done or likely to do. As we hit, what I think was Shap and the top of the lakes the weather was hideous. I'm sure the views were fab but 35mph head winds (again) the cloud and rain so low, you couldn't see more than a few hundred feet. The cycling across Shap were reading 4.5mph it took us an infinity to do just a mile! We stopped at Orton for hot drink and food. I was now in a very dark place, my own purgatory. We got to Settle, God knows how shear will power I think and Colin's mum came and collected our bags to help lighten the load, We eventually arrived at her house something past 22.00, truly exhausted over 14 hours after we started, having done 106 miles. Thanks to the support of friends and family we made it. My mum must have played a big part in that or I never would have made it. x . Only one photo :)

I'm sorry for the Grammar and spelling please let me know when you see them so I can go back and update . Thanks