Saturday 1 July 2017

The biggest climb

Please try the link below - I think you can all see recent photos.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5kY9_T1TmtXZWlpd0lRdC1tRnc

This morning after breakfast I tried to adjust my brakes which had lost their effectiveness over a few days. Not seeing any difference I rode down to Carlisle city centre and found a bike shop where they immediately took the bike into the workshop and fitted new pads. Apparently a combination of weather throwing up wet grit, plenty of use down some steep hills, and extra luggage weight was enough to wear them out over 500 miles.
The first part of the ride was along small country roads with light traffic in sun and just a little wind - perfect. The village of Unthank is no doubt hundreds of years old but sounds like a modern way of withdrawing your appreciation for a gift that wasn't quite as good as you thought it was. Greystoke followed, (pics) the home of Tarzan or at least of Lord Greystoke upon whom the stories were based. A great run down to Dacre took me to the shore of Ullswater (pic) and along to Glenridding for lunch. Then it was time for the big one. I've driven over the Lake District passes but never cycled up one. A gentlish ascent turned into Kirkstone Pass proper, 20% and then 15% gradients up to 1500', a few hundred feet higher than Rannoch Moor and a lot steeper, bending this way and that to make the climb. I divided it into sections, looking upward and deciding on a lowest gear stretch followed by a slightly higher gear standing up stretch and then a minute's rest before starting again. That way I managed the entire climb without walking and stopped just past the summit (pic of low cloud).
Now for the descent. Several miles of 25-35mph round sweeping bends was fantastic, then maybe fifteen miles of up and down, all through the more intimate Lake District countryside I love. At Milnthorpe Sue had just arrived and we put the bike in the car. Tonight we are staying in an Airbnb in a genuine castle
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/s/Hornby--United-Kingdom/homes?allow_override%5B%5D=&listing_types%5B%5D=3&s_tag=lIdqbaJh&type=bnb
with Paul, an old friend from Northampton who has come over for an early birthday celebration.
Tomorrow: Milnthorpe to Wigan or thereabouts.


Proof that he's actually riding it and not just doing a tour of the North of the UK's pubs!

Getting in the way of that bull or getting in the way of Dad sailing...not sure which would be more perilous





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