Countdown Continues ...

Well, as Joe and Maeve drive south (on the best day we've had all year) for 2 weeks of partying, golfing and general fun, Anne and I are just returned from a 7-day, 347 mile cycle tour.  We went from Swanland (overlooking the Humber Bridge) to Lancaster and back and managed to choose the worst possible weather in which to do it.  We way underestimated the hills across the Pennines and the Lancashire Dales, and we underestimated the amount of offroad tracks on the Trans-Pennine Trail.  This, combined with high winds (in our face, naturally), torrential rain, cold, and discovering I'd forgotten the tyre levers when Anne eventually punctured in the rain, all combined to make the westerly leg a bit of a trial.  Thank you Steve and Lynda Almond for providing an oasis of calm in Clitheroe in which we could recuperate in luxury after the toughest day! We cut short the extension to Morecambe where The Way Of The Roses (by which we returned) actually started, and took a half day in Lancaster.  The return via Grassington and York was a comparative doddle (except for the rain), and the last day was actually sunny and warm for a change.  Still, it was all good battle-hardening for the epic journey to come.

Lesson learnt:  (1) hill climbing performance is seriously compromised when dragging 10kg of luggage!  (2) Check the tyre levers are actually in the tool roll (before you set off)!

Talking of lessons learnt, Joe has one too.  After packing saddle bags, panniers, handlebar bag (how much stuff are you taking, Joe?) kilt bag, two suitcases, golf kit, and the rest for a multi-faceted break, he can't find his wallet.  In the way that only wives can manage, he was made to unpack everything, bit by bit (I know the feeling, you have my sympathy, Joe ... ask Anne about the tyre levers!).  Wallet was found under the final suitcase on the floor of the boot!  It just shows what happens when you rush these things!

Anyway, Joe will be in Isle of Wight (with bike, so can get some hill climb practice there) then on to the West Country.  We head off to Kendal for a spot of visiting friends and Lake District hill walking, then home for some catch-up and bike prep.  Then we all meet up at Lands End on 13th June when the trial really begins and we see for real if we've done enough training.

lets just hope we get less of this ...

Lancashire Dales in the rain

and a lot more of this ...

Yorkshire Wolds in the sun