Wednesday, 21 August 2013

8. Thursday morning, first day ...

It's 7.20 on Thursday 22 August. I've just pulled back the curtains to see a perfect day for cycling. Despite last night's weather forecast giving out a 50% chance of rain this morning, there are no clouds in sight.

Overnight, I received an email from Nic in Australia with a photo of my grand-daughter India Rose. Nic said she had told her how far I was planning to cycle and this was her reaction:


After a couple of errands this morning, I plan to leave at 11.00am. It's a late start, but there is a reason, When I looked at my day 1 route last week, I realised it took me within a few miles of Styal. Instead of seeing Ann on Wednesday, I decided it would be nicer to visit on Thursday after having set off on the big journey! Today's route is only 45 miles (22 to Styal, then 23 to Glossop) so by leaving at 11, I can get to Styal in a couple of hours and have a 2 till 4 visit. James and Chloe are driving down to Springfield today so we have arranged to meet at Styal for the visit together. This means I can put all my kit in James's car which makes me feel a lot happier!

The 23 miles after Styal start to get uphill as my route begins climbing towards the Woodhead Pass, so I won't be able to do my 12.5mph average and expect the second half of my journey to be about three hours, meaning a 7pm arrival at my B and B. I have not made any bookings for the European part of the bike ride, but for the UK bit, I have booked ahead. Tonight I will be at The Old House, Torside, just a few miles north east of Glossop. Here's a photo:


And finally, in this first blog of the bike ride, I thought I had better insert a photo of India when she is not looking so surprised to hear about the 800 miles. Here is what she looks like with a big smile on her face:


I'm not sure if tonight's accommodation has wifi, which I will need in order to write a blog each night. If it has, I will write an update, otherwise, it will be Friday night in Pollington when I next blog, where I know the B and B has got wifi.

2 comments:

  1. Good luck Paul and have a safe first day. Lovely pictures and im sure there will be some great ones from on your journey, I look forward to seeing them. Take care and ride safe, SJ & Ray x

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