Unusual Road Block

Unusual road block experienced today

Here we go, day 6. Last day where there are more days left, than completed. Report coming in from your support team again. 70 miles to be ridden today with the weather looking slightly iffy. Alarms were set for 7am in the parent’s room, not for me of course. Set off in record time of half eight, with the support team not far behind. Still somehow he made it to the Methodist Church- stage 1’s meeting point- before us, much to our dismay and annoyance. I think he’s cheating.

Weather was the topic of the first snack break as the clouds above us were a threatening grey and with the forecast we knew what they had in store for Mike. Jenni and I drove to Astley, where we started our hunt for a toilet. Both the pubs in the town- more like a street- were shut. I told Jenni to just wait until they opened an hour later but she shook her head, telling me we did not have that long. So she ended up begging the receptionist at the local doctor’s surgery to let her use their toilet. Thankfully for mum’s trousers and the passenger seat of my car, they let her use it.

Now onto the next stop, a stop that was not in the original plan of the day, but as the rain was coming down hard and heavy just before Mike arrived at stop 2, we decided it was best to break up the last 30 miles with two rather than one stops in case he needed to be dried off. After the rain eased while eating a sandwich, he decided it was now or never really, and set off on his way to stop 3.

Jenni and I waited at stop three with glorious sunshine and warmth, only a few dark clouds remained at this point and we had fingers crossed it was going to last until the end of the day.

It didn’t.

By the time Mike got to stop 3 the clouds had reformed and by the time we were sitting with our drinks outside the pub, the rain was coming down fast. We crouched under a tiny little shelter hoping it would pass soon. Gradually the rain did ease off and Mike could set off again towards the last stop of the day.

Last stop was completed as the rain still fell, but with signs of brightening up. 9 miles left of the day, it was time for the final push. A quick drive to the hotel for Jenni and I which turned into a nightmare. The roundabouts where huge and with no idea which exit we were meant to take only lead to trouble and several swear words quickly changed into fuuuur- goodness sake: gotta keep the car a swear free zone.

But we made it just fine, and after a visit from my amazing university friend- Rebecca- I am feeling very well fed and so ready for bed. It’s exhausting this driving thing you know, where’s my support team?

Off to Kirkby Stephen tomorrow, I don’t what the routes like for that cyclist, I just drive where the sat-nav tells me to and hope I have the right place. My tolerance for Google maps is slowly fading, if it gives me a suggestion for Preston in Texas, or Marsh Lane in New Zealand on more time, I might actually have to have serious words with it.

On to the rider bit now, I know I know, you want more of my writing but, you can’t have everything. Don’t worry I’ll be back tomorrow, as long as I don’t get us lost- which if happens I’m afraid my head may be removed from my shoulders. Wish me luck?

Rider’s bit.

Well, I gather that usually it is the 4th day of a LEJOG that people struggle with, for me it was definitely day 6. A black day today. I don’t think I will be that funny today.

It started off well enough with an excellent breakfast at The Manor House in Alsager. Set off on time, in light sunshine on what looked like a flat stage. It was, managed 15.5 mph without trying and beat those slackers.

Decided best dash off to make the best of the weather. It was a bit further to the next stop and I had been concerned about the planned route for this section. Justified, it was extremely odd. I seemed to be doing ok when a nice man in an orange top at Altrincham directed me round the recycling tip, where I had to dodge the herds of geese. After that, odd roads, various surfaces, bits of cyclo cross, crossing the Manchester ship canal over a lock bit where there wa one empty one a long way down from me.

Carried on towards Irlam and had some of the worst road so far, loads of potholes and felt like it was in the middle of nowhere. It was. After a couple of miles of pothole dodging, came to a look both ways rail crossing and got over that just as the rain started. Pressed on to Astley (here Rick rolls from?) and it was raining, met up and sat in car.

It cleared and off we went again. 3rd stop fine, apart from more rain, dropping rear light that I only realised after getting to the top of the hill and having to go back to 3rd stop to collect…and then ride the hill again. On the way to the 4th stop, had a steep hill with really rough looking surface so opted for lower level cycle path. Huge mistake, as it turned into a footpath and by then was committed.

Good couple of miles of part walking, part riding, part lifting bike over fences before emerging back onto the road. It took ages and was raining, made me very late for 4th stop.

From here to the end was shortish, but a bit of an error at the end left me not knowing where the hotel was. Really fed up at this point so poor support team having to deal with a diva on the A59.

Got there in the end.

Washed up both me and helped Jenni with the bike and started to feel more human. Just as well as we met Ruth and Dave later in the evening. Lovely to put a face to the voice.

This was not a good day. Went through a lot on the road in my head. I was lonely, cold, wet, lost, demotivated, stressed, worried about the bike as well and basically not wanting to be there after the 1st stage. Tomorrow, I go past half way in both distance and days. I hope to have some company. Route looks better (it will exist). The bike is ok, probably need to try and change cleats, bet there will be no instructions on them so hope is intuitive. Weather still iffy. Meeting Helen and Ian in the evening.

All in all, more positives to look forward to. Lets hope I am past that now and will be lightly amusing again tomorrow.

Apologies to my support team, they did good antics.