We took minor roads over the hills out of Keswick. On the open unwalled wild areas it was amazing to hear the songs of so many birds that were hiding at ground level. It was quite a descent into Scotland on a road running parallel to the M6.
The old wedding office looks derelict now at Gretna. We had lunch next door to it before pressing on. Pressing on expresses it. The rain in Keswick stopped at 0830 as we got our bikes out. We saw no blue sky all day. It was the humidity later in the day that got us to shed the top layer for the first time on the journey. But I did find the last hour hard on the rougher surfaces. The roads were not as bad as I had expected, apart from in Lochmaben. During the day my spokes began to make "chiming, twanging " noises. Arriving at the B&B, Lee checked and tightened several on what was a new wheel ten days ago!
80 miles will take us through Glasgow tomorrow. I just had a text from a friend from Exeter who is also doing the journey by the shortest route with another medical colleague. They plan to do it in a week, started after us, will probably finish before us, and clocked up 162 miles in one day from Shrewsbury northwards. That's not for me; i hope they enjoy the scenery! Our route is beautiful. Moffat is surrounded by lots of rolling hills. We have to go over one of them on the way to Glasgow. My SatNav and maps are working, but at the end of the last two days the battery is down to < 15%. How do those keenies cope who are on the saddle for longer than 8 hrs in the day? Do they carry a spare?! I suppose if you keep to the major non-motorway routes, you probably don't need the OS map picture up the whole time.
The leaders are honest with us. If you get to Glastonbury, you will be likely to finish the course. But at day ten you could have a bunch of grumpy men. Fatigue is setting in for many, but spirits are high as we will face northerly breezes in two days time! I'm grateful it's not been too hot.
No comments:
Post a Comment