A day of Ups and Downs
Armathwaite to Moffat: 61 Miles
Today was billed by the trip organiser as "a relatively easy day". Unfortunately it turned out not to be the case....
We stayed in a lovely B&B last night, the owners had only taken it over 4 weeks ago. Alas since taking it over they had two rooms roofs collapse due to a water leak - not a great start for their business. Every day the food is getting better and better, and cheaper and cheaper. We eat some fantastic freshly prepared food last night, including drink, all for £12 a head. Everyone very tired and fatigued last night after the tough days ride.
After the two previous wet mornings everyone awoke this morning and immediately looked out of the curtains - thankfully today's forecast was wrong - it was a lovely crisp sunny morning. There was also alas a brisk energy sapping headwind which battered us all day long. Continued north, part Carlyle airport and after 25 miles crossing into Scotland. Today was a day of mile after mile of baron landscape, barely a person, car or house all day long. There was thankfully a tea shop after 30 miles that we were heading for for lunch, so at least there would be somewhere that we could stop and refuel....
...alas I got there at lunchtime - it was closed for a refurbishment - nightmare, the next nearest place was a further 20 miles down the road. At this point the going got really baron, just up and down, up and down over hill after hill, all against the headwind, a real struggle. It was beautiful scenery, with absolute silence apart from birds calling overhead. Saw several birds of prey flying around, sitting on telegraph poles, shrieking overhead etc, really stunning.
Finally arrived at the 50 mile refuelling stop really hungry and quite drained to find it - ARGH - closed! The place was no bigger than a small sitting room, just a tiny shop serving the local community. I was just about to leave when I saw a sign on the outside "ring bell for attention". Rung bell and 2 minutes later a lady comes out of her house down the road and opens the shop up for me! No fresh food in sight - but they had "freezer to microwave" baguettes at 79p each in the freezer, which duly became lunch. Never has a 79p sludge filled baguette tasted so good.
Struggled the last 10 miles to Moffat, feeling really drained. Arrived at the B&B to find the owners were not there so found a cushion and fell fast asleep on her front lawn.
Our one and only rest day tomorrow, well deserved and much needed.
Stats for the day:
Time spent cycling: A tiring 5 hrs, 9 minutes
Average: 11.9mph
Max: 35mph
Birds of prey spotted: 4
Number of times buzzed by low level RAF jets: 6
Fatigue rating 9.5 / 10
Today was billed by the trip organiser as "a relatively easy day". Unfortunately it turned out not to be the case....
We stayed in a lovely B&B last night, the owners had only taken it over 4 weeks ago. Alas since taking it over they had two rooms roofs collapse due to a water leak - not a great start for their business. Every day the food is getting better and better, and cheaper and cheaper. We eat some fantastic freshly prepared food last night, including drink, all for £12 a head. Everyone very tired and fatigued last night after the tough days ride.
After the two previous wet mornings everyone awoke this morning and immediately looked out of the curtains - thankfully today's forecast was wrong - it was a lovely crisp sunny morning. There was also alas a brisk energy sapping headwind which battered us all day long. Continued north, part Carlyle airport and after 25 miles crossing into Scotland. Today was a day of mile after mile of baron landscape, barely a person, car or house all day long. There was thankfully a tea shop after 30 miles that we were heading for for lunch, so at least there would be somewhere that we could stop and refuel....
...alas I got there at lunchtime - it was closed for a refurbishment - nightmare, the next nearest place was a further 20 miles down the road. At this point the going got really baron, just up and down, up and down over hill after hill, all against the headwind, a real struggle. It was beautiful scenery, with absolute silence apart from birds calling overhead. Saw several birds of prey flying around, sitting on telegraph poles, shrieking overhead etc, really stunning.
Finally arrived at the 50 mile refuelling stop really hungry and quite drained to find it - ARGH - closed! The place was no bigger than a small sitting room, just a tiny shop serving the local community. I was just about to leave when I saw a sign on the outside "ring bell for attention". Rung bell and 2 minutes later a lady comes out of her house down the road and opens the shop up for me! No fresh food in sight - but they had "freezer to microwave" baguettes at 79p each in the freezer, which duly became lunch. Never has a 79p sludge filled baguette tasted so good.
Struggled the last 10 miles to Moffat, feeling really drained. Arrived at the B&B to find the owners were not there so found a cushion and fell fast asleep on her front lawn.
Our one and only rest day tomorrow, well deserved and much needed.
Stats for the day:
Time spent cycling: A tiring 5 hrs, 9 minutes
Average: 11.9mph
Max: 35mph
Birds of prey spotted: 4
Number of times buzzed by low level RAF jets: 6
Fatigue rating 9.5 / 10
posted by Chris Pugh at 5:45 pm
2 Comments:
Spelling lesson - baron is spelt barren
Carlyle is spelt Carlisle!!
Good job you majored in Maths! Love Mum xx
Finally checked out the blog- v accurate description of the day.
or just ARRRRRRRGH
My mum would also give spelling advise.
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