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David says:
We had intended to cycle to Temple Sowerby today but the hilly route, strong crosswind and the temperature defeated us. The BBC weather bulletin said that today's temperature was 28C.
I calculate that I have had to drink 6 litres of water.
The road out of Clitheroe was heavily cratered with potholes and crumbling, half hearted repairs. We were headed for Slaidburn by a less direct minor road to the west of the B6478.
At Slaidburn the direct road to High Bentham was closed for the laying of water pipes - the prohibition order said that the closure applied to pedestrians and cyclists. We weren't going to risk climbing for 4km to be turned back. We had to take a detour by the east side of Stocks reservoir.
The hills today have been horrendous - 912 metres of total ascent is just 2 metres short of 3000 ft. We've checked the website of the two guys that created this route ( http://www.jochta.com/lejog/index.php ) and they say:
"... Let me tell you about hills. Bloody great big ones that go on forever. I thought everone said Cornwall and Devon were worst for hills, they were easy peasy compared to today ...".
We had to walk several hundred metres - just too steep for comfort. The easterly wind helped a little but I've never been so hot while cycling.
The descent from Crutchenber hill would have been very fast but for the strong buffeting wind on my panniers and handlebar bags causing the bike to "shimmy" (ie oscillate) making me very nervous.
There was a descent, earlier in the day, where Drew got up to 40mph and he was "touching" his brakes until he was 2/3 of the way down.
It was obvious by 4pm that we weren't going to be able to get to Temple Sowerby without a great deal more pain so we have stopped in Tebay.
Stats:
Distance 87.9km, max speed Drew 66km/h, David max 53.7km/h, moving time 5 hrs 40 min, moving avg 15.5km/h, ascent 912m.
- comments
Anthea Symms Dear Drew and David, it makes me sweat to read your comments! Well done, keep it up, Peter is feeling your pain every inch of the way but when you get to the end you'll be so proud! Take care and look out for idiot drivers. Hope your nether regions are less tender and are slapping on the anti-chafe jollop every morning. No, I'm not volunteering to put it on for you! Love, Anthea and Peter xx