Day Six: The Lake District - aptly named
A shorter day today to give us a ‘rest’. Just the 73 miles through the Forest of Bowland and Lake District – only a few little hills to deal with. We decided to have a lie in and a late start from our B&B at Knowle Green a few miles west of Clitheroe.
James’ Dad had been acting as support crew on day five, but today he swapped back over with the Fun Bus, which had been camping nearby. Speaking of which Penny has made Ollie a member of the Camping and Caravanning Club and he’s seriously not happy about it…
Anyway, with Penrith as the target we headed off – and immediately uphill on tired legs, aiming for High Bentham across the Forest of Bowland. The pretty village of Slaidburn was the last chance to refuel before the long stretch across the tops and as we were feasting outside the post office, James and I unfolded the map to check progress and at the precise moment we did, bird poo landed on it. Of course we took a picture…
The about twenty seconds later the Fun Bus drove into town – the first time we’d seen them since lunch in Ludlow the day before yesterday. They then followed us for the next few miles as we climbed up to nearly 500metres, surrounded by gorgeous scenery which managed to take much of the pain out of the climb. It was so pretty that Penny and Ollie actually stopped by a river to have a picnic lunch – which mainly consisted of building dams, playing pooh sticks and throwing stones with the children. Trouble was on one occasion Luke forgot to let go and was following his stone into the water. Ollie managed to grab him, but in the process wrenched his ribs – which until now had been getting steadily better…
Anyway, back on the bikes, James, Georgie and I were enjoying an epic descent as we crossed from Lancashire into North Yorkshire to a lunch stop in Kirkby Lonsdale and then on into the Lake District.
But it wasn’t the hills that were grabbing our attention – it was the MONSTER rain cloud up ahead. Luckily we never caught up with it, but the Fun Bus reported monsoon conditions from up ahead and we soon found the aftermath – check out the pic below.
Although we haven’t covered many miles, today has been very tough. We’ve all been feeling the pace and Georgie has been amazing, showing true grit and determination.
We arrived in Clifton, just south of Penrith to be greeted by a very relieved Fun Bus crew – happy because we’d missed most of the appalling weather (there were still piles of hailstones on the ground at our Guest House) and also boosted because Ollie had just been to his fourth hospital to have his dressings changed and yet again the nurse had called for another nurse to come and have a look at his wounds because – apparently – she wanted a second opinion. It’s happened three times out of four, now and we reckon the nurses just want some young fresh meat to ogle – and Ollie is raw and tenderised in most places!
Highlights:
The scenery – the best views we’ve had so far
Riding through floods!
Low Points:
Relentless climbing…
Yet more rubbish weather
Stage Stats:
Today’s mileage: 72.82
Total mileage: 554.96
Average speed: 13.1
Maximum speed: 46.7
Medical staff who have seen Ollie naked: 8
June 23rd, 2007 at 12:19 pm
We are reading your blog with huge interest and much amusement on a daily basis. Good luck with the recovery, Ollie, or maybe not if the nurses become more cheeky the more north one goes…look out for the trump card…a male nurse! Allez!
June 23rd, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Hi you brave people! Having no computer more functional than a dinosaur I’m down at Jane’s, catching up on your intrepid journey. Mary will be feeling so, so proud of you both, James and Georgie, and the rest of the gang. And what a good looking nurse she was - I can see why Mike was bowled over! (I’ve not seen that photo.) And I see he has been lending a hand too. Bet he was dying to get on a bike - not!
Much love to you all. You’re almost there, if you manage to keep your heads above water!
(so sorry to hear about your cat - yes I’ve read all your pages, in one fell swoop, and have printed them out to read again.)
love from Margaret, Alex, Jane, Dan and Paula. xx
June 23rd, 2007 at 7:25 pm
Wow, wow, wow! What an awesome accomplishment by everyone. Just catching up on all the entries. and I am filled with tremendous respect and awe for all of you. You are showing true grit and determination. I am so proud Tom to have you as a friend.
Glad to hear that Ollie is on the mend. Fascinated to read that despite skidding downhill at 30 mph Ollie was able to identify the make AND model of the offending vehicle. His knowledge of automobiles and ability to recognize them under extreme duress is amazing! I am sure I would not have been processing that particular information if in a similar position, I could only manage the scream!
Continue the great work, over halfway there, all downhill from here…hopefully still on both wheels. See you, Tom, in a weeks time!
Scott
June 24th, 2007 at 10:47 am
Congratulations, have just thouroughly enjoyed the first five days, hope Ollie recovers quickly, you will be amused to hear on my better days I average 11mph on an hour trip, so am suitable humbled. Please pay more attention to your navigation as you will remember I am sponsoring you by the mile - keep it up,
Best wishes
Richard
June 24th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
The website is great, a wonderfully informative and evolving piece of work. Great cycling exploits, Keith is very impressed, having cycled most of the areas and surrounds over the last 25 years, knows the cost physically that your challenge is taking. Do I qualify to see Ollie naked?
best wishes to you all
Pauline
June 24th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
Well done guys! You are storming eh. And of course they are the best views in the Lake District, you are in the best part of the country.
June 25th, 2007 at 6:42 am
Well done team - I am just amazed at your grit and determination …… one week into your ride and you are now well on the way to Scotland and the final part of what can only be described as an epic journey - in every way. I love your blog - and great pictures - I didn’t realise that you would pass through Yorkshire on your ride - how many counties will you have passed through? Saw the weather forecast and if its right you should miss the worst of it this week. I hope the sun manages to sneak out for you - if not before at least for that final photo later this week!
June 25th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Hello again you brave lot!!
Hoping that Scotland brings you some sunshine?!
I think that the Salls are going to be cheering you on today!? Lee and myself both wish we could be there too. We really are thinking of you all so much. Georgie, you are officially my inspiration to start getting fit. I really am so so proud of my wee sis! Simply can’t wait to see you and James and buy you both a fair few well deserved pints. (Think you should stick to the lucozade for now though!!) Keep going guys. We’re right behind you (kind of).
Big hugs and lots of downhill wishes.
Tamsin and Lee
June 25th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
Tom, great to hear from you, and I hope the wind is being kinder …… I have never heard of having to change down gears to peddle down hill before ! Well I got on my bike for the first time in 6 months yeasterday and managed 15 miles ….. get me ….. kind of puts what you’re doing into perspective. Just keep your head down and take turns as lead man … it always helps if you share the pain !
June 25th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Hi Tom and team,
Well done on your progress so far, all very impressive indeed! Looks and sounds like you are having a great time despite the weather, the injuries and the aching muscles. Still trying to decide whether I would rather be here at work or cycling on your leg-busting ride - the jury is still out…. Nearing the home straight now so keep those legs a peddling.
Paul.
June 25th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
That is going to be a bizarre tan line on the legs to try and explain away for the rest of the summer! Hope the weather is a little kinder as you head further North - the forecast for Scotland isn’t looking too bad currently! All the pain will be worth it for such a fantastic cause.
)
June 25th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Tom & Team. We’re glad you’re still pushing on..Best of luck for the last leg. We’ve just checked the share prices, and Vasalene, Goretex and Sunmaid Raisins have gone through the roof so well done. MRF is a great cause and I hope it numbs the pain.