9. DAY 1, Thursday 22nd August

Start Point: Alsager 310'

Highest point during the day 795'

End Point: Torside 760'

Total climbing 1720'

Climbing difficulty factor 73

Distance 47 miles

 

I knew that today was going to be the most difficult of the 3 days in the UK as it included the long slog from Stockport to the Woodhead Pass at the very end of the day. 

I left home at 11 and arrived at Styal at 1pm. About half way there, I received my first injury of the bike ride. Not a fall or a collision, much less serious. I felt what I thought was a spider crawling around my left ear. As I brushed it away, I realised that the high-pitched hum and the sharp pain on the top of my ear meant it wasn't a spider at all but a wasp! Apart from that, the 22 miles were uneventful and pretty flat, and the weather was fine.  

At Styal I met James and Chloe and we put the bike and all my kit in the car before we went to sign in. Ann was doing very well. I know she tries hard to put on a brave face because she doesn't want people to worry; and underneath, she is very sad and remorseful. She is participating in life inside, which you have to do to survive. Her job is gardening and she is amazed how much and how varied the produce is. From typical fruit and veg like tomatoes and potatoes to more unusual items for the UK such as melons. 

After the visit, I set off about 4:15 on my second half of the day's bike ride.

I maintained my cumulative average speed at 12.4mph from Alsager to Stockport. After that, it was just a long steady climb in a high gear. I noticed at one point I had reached 650' above sea level which is not far off the final elevation of 760' however I was dismayed to head steeply downhill for quite a long way, about a mile, to a place called Broadbottoms. I had lost all the height I had gained, and the climb out was horrible. I had to walk at one point and I eventually arrived at my BnB at 7:45  My room is nice and the scenery around is stunning. 

Tomorrow is an 8:30 breakfast then I set off on about a 56 miles journey. The first 7 are uphill to the summit then I'm over the backbone of Britain and most of the rest of the route is downhill :-)