Sunday 5th August 2007. Leg 7: Ainsdale to Lancaster.
Jonathan has driven over from West Yorks, and brought the saddle from my commuter bike, as my bum is very sore. Have high hopes that this will help.
Also across from home territory are Debbie and Simon Hassell, who have come to cycle this leg for us. Simon’s parents have driven them over, and will take them back home after this leg.
We are looking forward to a little luxury this evening, as we have booked a night in the Lancaster Holiday Inn to celebrate the approximate half-way point. And of course, it’s just a couple of weeks since Georgina had her degree conferred at Lancaster University.
A leisurely start time of 10.00 a.m. followed by a 50 mile run to Lancaster is just what we need after previous exertions.
Along the front at Southport, in the baking sun, where a good cycle path is to be had. Then it’s inland towards Preston. The sunshine has brought out classic cars in their hundreds. MGs, TRs,and a surprising number of bubble cars. Man, they must be hot inside those canopies.
Ice creams on approach to Preston. Our first of the trip. This is more like it!
Lunch on the lawn at the entrance to an NHS establishment north of Preston. Got to keep stoked up with energy, the Hassells have their preventative medicine from the bonk-bag in the form of tortilla wraps. Sounds nice. The Hassells are into triathlons (I would say Simon in a serious way, but not an over-serious way, as that would be out of character). Debby was telling us how they have done a lot of cycling in the French Alps. And the occasional mountain biking. I was asking her what she thought about mountain bikes, and she said “They’re alright once you get used to pedalling and going nowhere.” Which I thought was profound.
Simon and I trade thoughts on the different levels of friendliness of the various echelons of cyclists. There are very few roadies who will even acknowledge your presence on the road, let alone say “hello” as you pass them in the opposite direction. This is very sad. My theory is that they are all so competitive, that any other thing on two wheels is seen as a potential threat, to be beaten at all costs (even when you’re going in the opposite direction). Very snooty they tend to be. Simon says that Tri-athletes tend to be a lot more friendly, and if he is typical of the breed, then I would agree with him. As for mountain bikers (who have somehow lost there mountain and ended up on road), well you never can tell. The jury’s out. I just think we should all stick together as an endangered species, and the less cliques and bickering the better.
Up the A6, which seems to have quite a bit of cycle path, and arriving at Lancaster Holiday Inn at 5 p.m., to a welcome committee of Jean (Jonathan’s mum) and Terry, Sheila, Aodhan and Conor (Jacky’s cousin and family), Phil (my bro), and of course Jacky and Jonathan.
Sat outside under the parasol and did “the song” for the benefit of those who had missed it, after warming up with a rendition of Captain Beefheart’s “Orange Claw Hammer” for Conor’s benefit and to up the embarrassment factor for everyone else.
Debbie and Simon left us to head home with parents. Nice meal with Jean and Terry, Phil, Jonathan, Georgina, Jacky.
And so to bed.
Sign on a Preston shop front: “Ambulant Physiotherapist”. Wot is one of them? Do they go walk-abouts doing random acts of physiotherapy?
Advert on a parked car at the Lancaster Holiday Inn: “Teeth Whitening smile spa. Look good, feel great. A Hollywood smile in under an hour. Only £199. Limited period”.
Think we may be in need of treatment from both of the above. We are certainly feeling it in the knees, and not smiling enough on this journey.
Distance covered: 48.9 miles
Moving time: 04:34
Average speed: 10.7 mph
Maximum speed: 23.1 mph.
Jonathan has driven over from West Yorks, and brought the saddle from my commuter bike, as my bum is very sore. Have high hopes that this will help.
Also across from home territory are Debbie and Simon Hassell, who have come to cycle this leg for us. Simon’s parents have driven them over, and will take them back home after this leg.
We are looking forward to a little luxury this evening, as we have booked a night in the Lancaster Holiday Inn to celebrate the approximate half-way point. And of course, it’s just a couple of weeks since Georgina had her degree conferred at Lancaster University.
A leisurely start time of 10.00 a.m. followed by a 50 mile run to Lancaster is just what we need after previous exertions.
Along the front at Southport, in the baking sun, where a good cycle path is to be had. Then it’s inland towards Preston. The sunshine has brought out classic cars in their hundreds. MGs, TRs,and a surprising number of bubble cars. Man, they must be hot inside those canopies.
Ice creams on approach to Preston. Our first of the trip. This is more like it!
Lunch on the lawn at the entrance to an NHS establishment north of Preston. Got to keep stoked up with energy, the Hassells have their preventative medicine from the bonk-bag in the form of tortilla wraps. Sounds nice. The Hassells are into triathlons (I would say Simon in a serious way, but not an over-serious way, as that would be out of character). Debby was telling us how they have done a lot of cycling in the French Alps. And the occasional mountain biking. I was asking her what she thought about mountain bikes, and she said “They’re alright once you get used to pedalling and going nowhere.” Which I thought was profound.
Simon and I trade thoughts on the different levels of friendliness of the various echelons of cyclists. There are very few roadies who will even acknowledge your presence on the road, let alone say “hello” as you pass them in the opposite direction. This is very sad. My theory is that they are all so competitive, that any other thing on two wheels is seen as a potential threat, to be beaten at all costs (even when you’re going in the opposite direction). Very snooty they tend to be. Simon says that Tri-athletes tend to be a lot more friendly, and if he is typical of the breed, then I would agree with him. As for mountain bikers (who have somehow lost there mountain and ended up on road), well you never can tell. The jury’s out. I just think we should all stick together as an endangered species, and the less cliques and bickering the better.
Up the A6, which seems to have quite a bit of cycle path, and arriving at Lancaster Holiday Inn at 5 p.m., to a welcome committee of Jean (Jonathan’s mum) and Terry, Sheila, Aodhan and Conor (Jacky’s cousin and family), Phil (my bro), and of course Jacky and Jonathan.
Sat outside under the parasol and did “the song” for the benefit of those who had missed it, after warming up with a rendition of Captain Beefheart’s “Orange Claw Hammer” for Conor’s benefit and to up the embarrassment factor for everyone else.
Debbie and Simon left us to head home with parents. Nice meal with Jean and Terry, Phil, Jonathan, Georgina, Jacky.
And so to bed.
Sign on a Preston shop front: “Ambulant Physiotherapist”. Wot is one of them? Do they go walk-abouts doing random acts of physiotherapy?
Advert on a parked car at the Lancaster Holiday Inn: “Teeth Whitening smile spa. Look good, feel great. A Hollywood smile in under an hour. Only £199. Limited period”.
Think we may be in need of treatment from both of the above. We are certainly feeling it in the knees, and not smiling enough on this journey.
Distance covered: 48.9 miles
Moving time: 04:34
Average speed: 10.7 mph
Maximum speed: 23.1 mph.
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