Day 7 - Moffat to Penrith
Distance: 61.7 miles
Elevation: 2041 ft
Average speed: 13.2mph
https://www.strava.com/activities/2444482996
Ride report:
We've made it to England!
Following an early start from Moffat, we headed south with a howling tailwind. The road surface wasn't great, but the navigation was easy and so we made it to Lockerbie in good time with the wind's assistance. On arrival in the town, we found two suitable guardians for the bikes, and set off in search of second breakfast.
We had yet another excellent cup of coffee in "Just Be" (and bacon sandwiches/teacakes), and got talking to a friendly chap called Ian, a local who'd previously ridden the route in the opposite direction. He commiserated about the gusting winds - he'd had an "interesting" experience going through Glasgow on his ride. As we stood up to leave he dropped a donation onto our table to add to our fundraising - Thank you Ian!
Back on the road again, the winds were now gusting as crosswinds, which was much less fun. It meant we were both hanging on tight as we rode (we heard later that a tree had come down on the railway line between Lockerbie and Carlisle - I think we got off lightly!). Still, we made it to Gretna, where Mum was waiting for the obligatory "Welcome to England" pictures.
Mum had found a gem of a signpost round the side of the Toll Bar Cafe, which was in better condition than the John O'Groats sign and cheaper than Land's End! Showed us that despite crossing the border, we're still not quite halfway... best keep riding!
We decided that we should have one last coffee in Scotland (we've discovered some true gems of coffee shops on the way!), so fuelled up with espresso to make the treacherous border crossing, stopping only for a quick photo with the England sign!
The riding now was more of the same crosswinds, along a route adjacent to the motorway. Getting into Carlisle was "interesting", as it's been a while since we've done proper city riding! (Edinburgh was more suburban and cycle-path-y). With some judicious hops off the bikes to walk up one-way streets, we met Mum at John Watts & Son for lunch.
Having come to England, we decided on tea with our lunch - really nice brew, with good sandwiches/salads. A slightly strange highlight of the visit was the trip to the WC downstairs, through what appeared to be a museum of coffee roasting/history of the shop!
Carlisle was gridlocked due to the issues with the trains (from the tree on the line up north), so this actually made it easier for us on the bikes, as with limited traffic movement our turns were simple! (Unfortunately this was less good news for Mum in the car...) We headed out of the city on a smaller road, climbing for several miles out past the racecourse.
The rest of the day was really just about getting to Penrith, first down "quiet" minor roads where lorries hurtled past far too close and too fast, then on the "major" A6, where we were given plenty of space by all drivers as we dropped into Penrith.
Dinner tonight was fish&chips, which hit the spot nicely at the end of our first week on the bikes. Tomorrow's trip starts by climbing up and over Shap Fell, with forecast heavy rain. The wind should still be at our backs though - I'll take any assistance going when climbing uphill!
Elevation: 2041 ft
Average speed: 13.2mph
https://www.strava.com/activities/2444482996
Ride report:
We've made it to England!
Following an early start from Moffat, we headed south with a howling tailwind. The road surface wasn't great, but the navigation was easy and so we made it to Lockerbie in good time with the wind's assistance. On arrival in the town, we found two suitable guardians for the bikes, and set off in search of second breakfast.
 |
| Watch-sheep looking after the bicycles in Lockerbie |
Back on the road again, the winds were now gusting as crosswinds, which was much less fun. It meant we were both hanging on tight as we rode (we heard later that a tree had come down on the railway line between Lockerbie and Carlisle - I think we got off lightly!). Still, we made it to Gretna, where Mum was waiting for the obligatory "Welcome to England" pictures.
Mum had found a gem of a signpost round the side of the Toll Bar Cafe, which was in better condition than the John O'Groats sign and cheaper than Land's End! Showed us that despite crossing the border, we're still not quite halfway... best keep riding!
 |
| We're well on the way!! |
We decided that we should have one last coffee in Scotland (we've discovered some true gems of coffee shops on the way!), so fuelled up with espresso to make the treacherous border crossing, stopping only for a quick photo with the England sign!
 |
| They let us back in! |
The riding now was more of the same crosswinds, along a route adjacent to the motorway. Getting into Carlisle was "interesting", as it's been a while since we've done proper city riding! (Edinburgh was more suburban and cycle-path-y). With some judicious hops off the bikes to walk up one-way streets, we met Mum at John Watts & Son for lunch.
Having come to England, we decided on tea with our lunch - really nice brew, with good sandwiches/salads. A slightly strange highlight of the visit was the trip to the WC downstairs, through what appeared to be a museum of coffee roasting/history of the shop!
Carlisle was gridlocked due to the issues with the trains (from the tree on the line up north), so this actually made it easier for us on the bikes, as with limited traffic movement our turns were simple! (Unfortunately this was less good news for Mum in the car...) We headed out of the city on a smaller road, climbing for several miles out past the racecourse.
The rest of the day was really just about getting to Penrith, first down "quiet" minor roads where lorries hurtled past far too close and too fast, then on the "major" A6, where we were given plenty of space by all drivers as we dropped into Penrith.
Dinner tonight was fish&chips, which hit the spot nicely at the end of our first week on the bikes. Tomorrow's trip starts by climbing up and over Shap Fell, with forecast heavy rain. The wind should still be at our backs though - I'll take any assistance going when climbing uphill!
You're doing well but I'm tempted to add that from my nice warm office chair I note you still have a good way yet. In some ways I'm a bit jealous but this doesn't last long. Keep it going.
ReplyDeleteRegards
Andy Mc