From Whaley Bridge to Nr Holmbridge - Friday, 24th August
28 miles cycled
"...And it's raining, raining on my tent..." On and off rain all day today.
After failing to leave by 9:00,...
...a fantastic breakfast was absorbed back at Whaley Bridge...
...at the award winning 'Cafe 110'...
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| Lactose free cappuccinos! |
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| Veggie sausages! |
...before quite country lanes take us to New Mills...
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| Much needed supplies at picked up at New Mills |
...where a gradual climb...
...through brightening weather...
...to the delightfully disintegrated Bogguard Road where we lose David.
We wait. Has he died? As I prepare to go back and retrieve the body we spy him rounding a corner...
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| A tale of disaster |
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| fnar fnar |
The roads improve as the weather deteriorates.
We take refuge in a pub in hilly Hadfield and fail to find place for a late lunch. While we debate we're offered a sandwich which keeps us going.
We'd found it hard yesterday ('Hardest day ever') and we only covered 24 miles. The first two days we averaged 23 miles, well short of our 35 miles/day target. Today we knew we had to try and make up some time. Our navigation now changed from maps or blindly following the signs, even when there weren't any, to cutting edge live chat with Mrs. Google and her marvellous electric map. We decided to aim for as near to Holmfirth as time would allow, making the day a thigh-killing 30 plus miler. David also worked out a rough calculator for our progress: 10mph plus 1 minute per 10ft. of ascent. Sadly, this was to prove remarkably accurate, even when cycling...
...the wrong way up a private road for a mile or two.
We join the NCN 54 for a run alongside Woodhead Reservoir on the correct path which, thankfully, is another old railway.
What was striking was how low, almost empty, the water levels were in the reservoirs. No doubt because of our outstanding Summer. Not that it was evident today, o' course!
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| At the A628. the Woodhead Tunnel ahead |
Ever conscious of the time, again we opt to take a stretch of the scary A628 instead of the meandering trail...
...before a long haul over the shoulder of...
...Cook's Study Hill...
... to White Gate Leisure campsite and another friendly welcome.
We just had enough time to pitch the tents.
We were in the middle nowhere.
There was a few take-away menus in the shower block so we treated ourselves to a curry, delivered to our pitch!
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| Eee, luxury... |
Summery despatch:
"Excellent provisions at Whaley Bridge followed by hellish climb.
Navigational errors followed by monsoons delayed the party, prompted remedial course changes.
Tucked up with a curry North of Dunford Bridge after 28 miles.
No casualties.
Send more money."
Signal from Base Camp:
"I think you're better tucked up with a busty barmaid.
Emergency provisions en route."
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