Peckforton to Arnside (near Lancaster)

...and here came another 110miles ride. We woke up around 6.45 to get our stuff ready in our luxurious rooms. Breakfast was from 7.30 and we aimed for a 9am start. It was really hard getting up as my quads (things around the knee) really hurt, one of my toes in the right leg was completely numb and my wrists only partially functional. Jorrin, who slept in the same room suffered in silence (making funny faces) as he tried to flex his right leg. He had to take some painkillers in order to ride today. the same went for Olli who had problems with his knee ever since we started. Damian was in overall good condition apart from his fingers which also went numb from time to time. Deuan, who only joined us for 2 days, kept complaining about pain in the royal behind. Something everyone had in common. The constant rubbing of the cycle shorts, the fixed position on the saddle, gripping the handlebars more or less tight combined with a forward leaning position, which puts pressure on the wrists is not ideal. "Why did I sign up for this" , "can't this be over soon", "I wish I had a better bike", together with "why didn't I do more training", are some of the thoughts that keep spinning around in my head as we cycle.

At some point the stunning scenery is hardly noticeable as all one wants is to get to the end of the day. Mile after mile of trees, road, cars, mountains becomes blurred as the focus shifts on being a more effective cyclist. I already mentioned the drafting game (cycling close to another cyclist to use them as wind shield). Then there is definitely the "aerodynamics" game where I try to use every and any hill to bite my handlebars, tuck my knees in, stick my bum out. All in the name of improving personal aerodynamics. It really makes a difference. I noticed that whilst other riders started pedaling much earlier, I was still going at the same speed as them without having to peddle. This can be further improved by riding behind someone who is sitting more upright. In their wind shadow, one can get away without pedaling at all whilst they are already working their **** off getting up the next hill. It all comes down to endurance. This is not a who can go fastest competition but rather a teamwork of using everyones strength to get from point A to point B without dying from exhaustion, dehydration, injury or accident. Over the course if this journey I had to keep a low profile, learning quickly how to draft, constantly improving aerodynamics, saving energy wherever possible. The more trained riders took the lead way more often than I did.

Anyways, where was I.... had breakfast buffet at the Peckforton Castle, took some pictures with one of the managers, got dressed and started pedaling again... The route overall was pretty straight forward for the first 50miles with regular ups and downs through suburban England passing by Northwhich, Warrington, Bolton and via Blackburn. This part of the tour was the most straight forward but also the most unnerving as the traffic was a constant hassle. Then came Bowland Forrest (Lancashire?). The the scenery changed dramatically. From nice shrubs, trees, undergrowth - to nothing at all apart from a few flowers, grassland and steep hills, and back again to gentle up and downs. We climbed a very long pass over the mountains into Lancaster with strong headwind all the way. Wherever we seemed to turn, the wind was always in our face. For every pedal stroke forward the wind pushed us back half a pedal stroke.

We finally made it into Lancaster with Arnside on our mind. The 15miles were agonising and we all wished that the YHA would appear magically after each turn... it didn't. We had to keep pedalling until 7.30pm when we finally reached the Arnside YHA. This was one of the best YHA's we've come across on our journey with professional kitchen, food menu and bar.... shower, dinner (leftover pasta from YHA school catering, spicy pasta sauce with tuna), and a cool drink ;)

After that we discussed prospects of having a rest day which meant calling ahead to all the YHA's... We couldn't reach any and decided to go on. Not for me though. I swapped places with Ian, our driver/ photographer. I wrote blog until 1am in the morning and then went to bed in our comfy 5-bed, 5-men room (did I already mention that the the protein drinks cause flatulence?)... over and out