Day  8 / 16          Monday Aug 28.

Wigan to Kendal

Distance:        113. (Km) 

Time:  7:10

Average Speed:          15.8. (Km/ hr) 

Ascent:               842.  (m). 

Heart Rate:          81.  (beats / min). 

Cumulative Distance:           787. (km) 

Cumulative Ascent :           7241. (m) 

Punctures so far : 0

Our shortly after sunrise this morning to get a good run at the day. Being a Bank Holiday Monday streets were totally deserted and nobody moving yet. The initial 10km had a slight rise but not too demanding.

I had slept in Cheshire but during those early kms I crossed the line into Lancashire. Moving on!

After 10km I dropped onto the path along by the Leeds Liverpool Canal. Had a peaceful 7km along its bank. In places the path got very narrow resulting in nettle stings to the legs. I had puddles like yesterday and parts of it were rough sharp gravel. We dealt with it. Both of us have been across terrain much rougher than that.

 It is a Bank Holiday Monday over here but some construction workers have to keep the show on the road. 

Some new constructions on the far bank, to me, seem to be too close to the water level….a water level patio! Along these canals is a pleasant cycle touring experience. Possibly not the best for a Sunday morning energetic ride. Along here I remarked to myself that dogs don’t seem to be a big thing up here….very few dog walkers.

No sooner was I off the canal trail but I was into Cuerden Valley Park and 8km along its lovely smooth paths. And I had to revise my previous dog remark. Dog after dog after dog. But all kindly restrained as I passed. Not a bark to be heard.

At 28km the high-rise of Preston appeared above the trees. Still only 8:30. Through a beautiful park and into the centre. 

On one quiet street my eye was caught by (what I thought) was a bin knocked over by the side of the street. In fact it was a sculpture of a thread reel and needle erected to mark the textile heritage of Preston, at the heart of the Industrial Revolution. 

And in the centre a large hoarding to the same effect. Both sections of the large market area around the Market Hall were to be idle for today.

In one of the suburbs of Preston I passed the mosque serving the immigrant population. In the 1950’s Preston experienced a large influx of Commonwealth (esp Asian and Caribbean) immigrants.

I departed Preston through Moor Park containing many football pitches marked out. And across to my right appeared Deepdale Stadium, home of Preston North End, one of the founder members of the English Football League and first winners in 1888.

Also in Moor Park a circus tent was all set up for a performance later in the day.

I made my first stop at a petrol station at 40km for a top-up. I had really enjoyed the ride so far ( and all of the day) as one of the nicest cycle-touring rides I’ve had….the variety of terrain and surroundings. Even when I was directed onto roads there was a marked cycle-lane in most cases.

The town off Garstang has its own claim to fame. And the town featured many yard-sales in full swing. And for miles and miles along here I crossing the M6 over and back.

Shortly after the flower bedecked village of Scorton as I crested a sharp hill I met with 3 ladies from the Blackpool area cresting from the opposite direction. We stopped and conversed on top for a while. They were intrigued by this LeJoG trip and her husband had just set out this morning on ‘Tower to Tower’ cycle from Blackpool Tower to the Eiffel Tower.

Actually met lots of cyclists today, individually and in groups. Always a wave between members of this tribe! I am baffled by the amount of individual cyclists out on the road in black or almost-black clothing.

Coming near Lancaster my route came in along by the river Lune. In the centre of the city the river is tidal and edged with salt marsh and mudbank exposed at low tide.

Just out of town I arrived on the trail along by the Lancaster Kendal Canal with an impressive new bridge. The Kendal end of this canal is almost all filled in. 

It was getting quite warm now at noon and the cattle were utilising the cooling effect of the canal.

More barges on this canal than the Leeds Liverpool one this morning. Had a bit of banter with the ‘captains’ as I cycled alongside.

Some anglers out along this stretch trying their luck at hooking some bream, they told me.

Just before the town of Milnethorpe I crossed over into Cumbria and it’s mountains looming ahead. Definitely a more rural scene with its stone fences and sheep, I knew that straight out of Milnethorpe was a significant rise ( divided in 3 steps) along country lanes. 100km done at this stage nearly there.

Final approach into Kendal was along the filled-in canal und then up the Main St to the door/arch of my hotel…The Shakespeare Inn. My room (Titania) is in the Croft behind the main building, one of the best accommodations I have had so far. And to make things even better - my bike is beside my bed.

Had a walk around this evening before dinner; the place is so quiet this Bank Holiday evening. It’s clear it’s a tourist town dubbed the Gateway to the Lakes although it is not actually in the Lakes District National Park.

Some of those mountains will need to be dealt with tomorrow.

8 days done out of 16;  I’m almost half-way there. And still enjoying it.

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