I'm very apprehensive about today. It will be one of our toughest days. We are cycling up Shap, a total distance of about 40 miles, involving 10 continuous miles of uphill, taking us up a distance of about 1500 feet. One plus factor is that the hills won't mostly be really steep - just very long.
We were relieved to see that our washing had been returned to our room,when we got back from seeing our old friends Geoff and Jean yesterday. After a lovely cooked breakfast, we're soon packed up and ready for off, our bikes having been retrieved from the cellar.
We take a quick detour to Greggs to buy our lunch, and then we're on the road.
Reg has decided to change the route today, and go all the way to Shap (the name of the mountain, and also of the small town at the end of our journey today) by the A6. This will be a faster route,on good roads, and should cut a few miles off our route.
The first part of our journey goes well. After we've got a few miles under our belt, I see a "tea room" sign, and about 100 yards off the main road, in a hamlet, we find a quaint building which is a tiny supermarket downstairs and a lovely little tea room upstairs. I have a good cappucinno, and Reg is pleased that he's able to have his green tea with a slice of lemon.
We're making really good progress on the A6, until we see that it turns into a very fast dual carriageway linked to the M6 motorway. We can see how fast the road is and consider it will be dangerous, so have to detour to B roads. It's actually quite pleasant on the B roads, but when we decide to try a river path we find we're on difficult terrain. At one point the path ends completely.
We find our way back to the B road which will rejoin the A6. We stop for our picnic on a park bench, surrounded by black-headed gulls and a community of ducks. Once back on the A road it isn't long before we start our 10 mile climb. I'm pleased to say that I don't have to push my bike at all; but I ride much of the hill climb in lowest gear. I also have to stop at regular intervals for short breaks.
It's quite chilly when we finally reach the top of Shap. The best bit is still to come! We now have 5 miles of downhill decent to reach the little town called Shap. The ride is absolute bliss! We are staying in a pub; the owner welcomes us and opens up a building behind the pub for our bikes. It's great to have a rest and a shower before a meal - and again, not to have to go out again.
We are full of joy that we managed our toughest long climb so far - we did it!
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