Day 7: Ambleside to Warrington.
Longest day of over 100 miles (150k, 1203m elevation)

Quick out of our bunk house where Kate, Ev and Faith supplied us with porridge, cake and tea over looking the misty hills of Cumbria.

Thank you to Becky Shepherd's dad coming to wave us off!

We, very sadly, had to say goodbye to this man. Mark Bannon - you have brought spirit, fun, dancing and muscles when we needed it this week. Thank you. See you at the end!

                

We rolled out of the Lake District in style scrambling up the steepest hill of the ride so far in the first 10 minutes.  This was after a pretty hairy fall from Hacker who skidded on some damp moss path and ended up with GH's bike riding over his. Both bounced back fine and soldiered on. I think we all have bumps and bruises on parts of our bodies we've never experienced before. 

   

Rolling countryside showed us the way to the first snack stop and bike shop for Hacker's malfunction post fall.

This wasn't the first bike shop of the day though. Beck's super sonic tyres were no match for a huge shard of glass which even Dan couldn't sort out. He did ride with the wheel round his neck to the nearest bike shop though and returned 15 mins later with it all fixed (new tyre and inner tube for Becks). 

 

Then the A roads started. The speedy group tackled the canal path while others stuck to the roads which were filled with traffic. Sam had an unfortunate chain and front gear problem but carried on anyway.

Becky Shepherd's shoes finally died and we went in search of bike shop no 3. 

Meanwhile our support crew girls got stuck in 4-6 hours of standstill traffic with the SJB minibuses. Ev resorted to flashing and bargaining Harbo sweets for donations to JOGLE out of her bus window!

Low points definitely included ASDA in Wigan for Lewis and Sam and Go Outdoors car park for Emily and Becks, plus many bumps and bruises for everyone else.

Highpoints were that we could all enjoy a much needed night of luxury in a hotel spa this evening - a swim, sauna and warm down felt exceptional even at 9:30pm. Also Vicky got to see her sister and family; the support from outside our bike group bubble means a lot!

We made it. We're all still riding. We're all still together. And, we're all getting up and doing it again tomorrow.