Day 3: Sat 11th April
Challenge: Team Bar-Yar to complete minimum of 110 miles (depending on routes) from Stoke to Peterborough
Saturday posed the longest mileage of over 100 miles, and we had pre-booked a breakfast – a meagre bowl of cereal (not large enough to feed a sparrow!) and an oaty biscuit, if you were lucky (Helen and I had to share one). So well fuelled, we headed out of Stoke through maze of ring roads (w with the help of some sat nav). This saw the first of my chain de-railing problems. Finding ourselves on the A50 (not to be recommended), we quickly scooted onto a slip road to find some more friendly traffic…
A brief stop in Uttoxeter, we were persuaded by the pasty shops to have a hot sausage roll before winding our way to Donnington as the next designated stop. Cycled from here with Phil and Jo to Melton, where we would have a coffee and cake reward. Last 30 miles to Peterborough we elected to take the main A606 around Rutland Water (warned of a couple of nasty hills) but a more direct route and very enjoyable. It was a long day of 110 miles, and we arrived in the dark, but importantly there was no ‘sense of humour failure!’
Premier Inn at Peterborough was a much more comfortable stay (and the purple obviously pleased Helen of course!)
Punctures: 1 (Dave)
Snapped gear cables: 1 (Tricky)
Chain de-railings: 3 (Me– who then gave up on all cogs except the large one and cycled up all the big hills in very low gears)
Casualties requiring emergency transit services: 2 (Dave & Trick – sorry!)
Thought for the day: When estimating mileage, always add 10%
