Day  7/16           Sunday  Aug 27.

Shrewsbury to Wigan

Distance:        124 (Km) 

Time:       7:20

Average Speed:          16.8 (Km/ hr) 

Ascent:               733 (m). 

Heart Rate:          97 (beats / min). 

Cumulative Distance:           674 (km) 

Cumulative Ascent :           6399 (m) 

Punctures so far : 0

Up early again this morning and an early breakfast served to me by the night porter at 6:15am. Gave the bike a quick clean after yesterday’s downpour and then I was off on another stage of this adventure.

Left Shrewsbury by the land route…the centre of the city is within a loop of the Severn. The streets

we’re understandably deserted at this early hour as I passed by the station and beneath the castle.

Weather:  At this hour it was a bit chilly naturally but relatively calm with the breeze coming in from the west. In the late morning banks of heavy mist continuously drifted across my path. Many times I just stood in shelter and let them pass. In the afternoon it was dry but wind got stronger and hindered me any time I turned west for a period.

Yesterday I noticed that the soil in fields was exceptionally red. Today I noticed many buildings constructed with blocks of red (sandstone). And banks of this stone appeared along the way. Frodshamrides itself as being ‘The Gateway to the Sandstone Ridge’

At a small bridge just after Northwood I crossed back into Wales for the third time for a stretch of 13km. All notices again appeared in both languages. At Sarn bridge I was back in England, now in Cheshire.

As I was now about to pass between the cities of Liverpool and Manchester, centres of population appeared more frequently, Waverton, Macklemore Trafford, Helsby and Frodsham. I had expected this afternoon’s cycle to be dealing totally with urban cycling, Not so. It was surprisingly rural right to the very end.

Lots and lots of cyclists out today. I met the first group at Farndon, possibly they were from a club in nearby Wrexham. Some may have been heading for the Wild Wales Challenge being held today.

At one junction I noticed great commotion, young people coming and going, plenty security men about. A taximan enlightened me as to the cause…the Creamfields Festival , one of the world’s biggest 4 day electronic music festivals, and it’s finishing today.

Shortly after Runcorn my route took me on a trail by the Bridgewater Way, a walking/cycling track by the canal. Plenty of barges to and fro, and ducks on the grassy verges. There had been heavy rain here overnight and the track was a litany of puddles, but not in the same class as yesterday. It was an enjoyable 5km in peaceful surrounds.

After Warrington, for the last 30km of today’s trip it became more urban. The Garmin clicked over the 100km and I knew I was close to home (for tonight). I arrived at my accommodation just before 4pm and relieved to be in.

No food on the premises but I had a fine meal in the Royal Oak just down the road.

Another day down and making progress.

Thank God for the health and thank God for the energy.