88 very hilly miles today. 9000 ft of climbing. One tired Rob at the end of the day.
Set off about 9.00am after a smaller breakfast and felt better for it. The terrain around the north of Blackburn was rolling hills and it wasn't too long before a sustained climb up to and through Mellor. Then a nice descent to Whalley (about 20 miles) where I sat out in the sun and scoffed a pork pie, some cake and a coffee in preparation for the longer, steeper hills to come.
Set off about 9.00am after a smaller breakfast and felt better for it. The terrain around the north of Blackburn was rolling hills and it wasn't too long before a sustained climb up to and through Mellor. Then a nice descent to Whalley (about 20 miles) where I sat out in the sun and scoffed a pork pie, some cake and a coffee in preparation for the longer, steeper hills to come.
View from Waddinton Fell. Ingleborough in the background.
Helmet hair!
You can just about make out the road snaking upwards ahead.
The climb up Waddington Fell was actually quite enjoyable. Stopped and chatted to a cyclist called Mike at the top who very kindly donated £20 towards St. Luke's Hospice. Great descent down towards Slaidburn and then a longer, more challenging climb up and over the moors again. Beautiful, single track road and nothing but sheep for company. Has anyone ever noticed how a sheep's cough sounds just like a human's? Another exhilerating descent to Bentham and then up and down to Kirkby Lonsdale where I needed a proper refuelling stop. Huge sandwich, pot of tea and a deserved rest.
Relatively flat (not that flat)for a few miles towards Sedbergh and then more challenging climbs all the way to Appleby for the last 20 miles. I was starting to suffer from 'Jelly Legs of Doom' so Jaffa Cakes to the rescue. Knee starting to hurt a bit too so Nurofen required too. THe last hill from Orton towards Appleby was tough going at the end of the day but at least I had a downhill bit for the last 5 miles.
Relatively flat (not that flat)for a few miles towards Sedbergh and then more challenging climbs all the way to Appleby for the last 20 miles. I was starting to suffer from 'Jelly Legs of Doom' so Jaffa Cakes to the rescue. Knee starting to hurt a bit too so Nurofen required too. THe last hill from Orton towards Appleby was tough going at the end of the day but at least I had a downhill bit for the last 5 miles.
The look of a man thinking "who put that **!??* hill there at the end of a day?"
More hills tomorrow I suspect.
Good photos, they made me smile. Especially the one that shows your white helmet head and then your sunburnt lower face. Evidence for me, that you're being sensible.
ReplyDeleteI know I'll have pissed half your readers off, saying that.
Great going Rob. Loved the photos. Hope your support duo are surviving.
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