20/05/2024
Tri Nations Triathlon Day 3
Cycle to Newby Bridge - 218km
Paddle first part of Windermere - 4km
Weather: another chilly start but brightening through the day
Guests: Solo day
Is it really an adventure if everything follows a rigid plan perfectly? And it's not a challenge if its easy!
Last night’s camp was a short detour from my route so I had a 6k cycle to get back on route. A lovely off road track along the river but getting back on to the main route via several roundabout and A-road/dual carriageway crossings spiced things up a little – some dubious safety decisions taken and questionable crossings wading around in thigh high nettles in verges, I found myself back on the NCN5 with a sigh of significant relief!! But as per usual, these shenningans had eaten into lots of time and starting off already behind where I had hoped to cycle to the previous day left an underlying stressed feeling! I had to remind myself that this was my adventure, my challenge, my targets and the whole idea was that I can change and adapt as needed. That said, I still only had limited time off work and eating into contingency time on day 3 when I still had the much longer paddles where I am so wind affected didn’t sit right.
Not for the first time, I reminded myself that adventure wouldn’t be adventure if it all went to plan and a challenge isn’t a challenge if it isn’t hard! This mantra became particularly important as the day wore on…
I ploughed out some miles through the industrial north west, enjoying some mixed views and mixed aromas (ok, the latter was less enjoyable…) I had arranged to meet James in a Coop car park in Runcorn for a quick restock and to say bye (hot date!). I did some kind of crazed lycra clad, mildly smelly supermarket sweep around the Coop with a pannier and stocked up on snacks, downed a bottle of water and inhaled a sandwich before a quick hug and jumping back on my bike, northbound, as far as I could get…
Jumping onto route 62 just south of Widnes was an unexpected delight, starting with a lovely open ride with views across the estuary before joining a leafy, well surfaced disused railway line to travel entirely offroad through Liverpool. But the real delight was just how friendly everyone was! So many random conversations about what I was up to or just general smiles, waves and hellos. It really does make such a huge impact on your perception of a ride and general wellbeing.
Then around Maghull it was time to turn west on really lovely open sunny gravel to head for the coast. Picked up a slight headwind which my tired legs didn’t entirely appreciate but lovely to have peace, sunshine and be offroad! The cycle up the coast was then rather windy again but distraction in the form of people watching and some classic British beach scenes helped while away the kms. Turning eastwards again, I was then heading for the outskirts of Preston where I had agreed to check in with film crew and let them know what my plan was. I think the real reason is that they were keen to get some footage of me starting to suffer 😉. Anyway, mildly zombie like, I finally pulled in just off an A road on the to see shadowy figures appearing from behind trees. I was genuinely unnerved, it was early evening and shadows were lengthening. I was on my own on the outskirts of a city and for the first time, I did question how I would deal with being jumped by 3 hoodies. And then I realised these were hoodies with zoom lenses and a camera on a gimble! It was my three favourite stalkers getting some cycling footage. Phew!
It was evening, I was knackered and was only halfway to my intended destination. My tired brain was weighing up the pros and cons of changing the plan. Or was that being defeatist? I had arranged with an estate on the shores of Windermere that I could wild camp on their land along the shoreline and was super excited for this as it looked a lovely spot. It would also mean I still had that contingency time in my pocket for Scotland. I decided to crack on and split it down by 40km portions and assess how I was feeling at each section. Second 40km portion I suddenly got my second wind! Half a pint of coke and a chat with the camera gang at Bay Horse, I confirmed I was going to go for it and flew out the pub on a cloud of caffeine powered delirious energy, optimism (again, I blame the caffeine) and a rather spectacular sunset (always helps). Next target, Lancaster.
I had a lovely blast through this section! I was revived and enjoyed the cycle which was uncomplicated. Until I got to the city. Yet again, my internal GPS was blocked by being in a city and I spent a frustrating hour messing about trying to get myself out which also included cycling the wrong way down a one way street – only rectified when I realised all oncoming traffic was coming at me! Eventually I picked up the canal cyclepath with took me over the Lune on a fabulous aqueduct! Not so fabulous were my bike lights which were good for being seen by other folk but not so brilliant at lighting the way – quite important when it's dark and you're cycling along a canal and under bridges. Cue some very, VERY slow progress again. Eventually, I had to take a call to switch back on to roads to make up a bit of pace but I very much enjoyed the section of canal path even if it was rather slow. Next checkpoint was at Warton which I hit at 10.30pm – also kicking out time at the local pub and I was greeted to shouts of ‘are you Claire?’ followed by some very excited cheering and whooping when I confirmed I was from folk heading home from the pub! The camera gang had been spreading the word/thinly veiled excuse for a pint. The landlord was very keen to try and shepherd me in for a pint but I had to strongly resist to have any hope of making it to the Lake District that night! I kept cycling. Up a hill. A steep hill. So obviously the camera crew decided to drive just ahead and try and get some footage of me suffering. Thanks guys. And then on realising I was nearly at the top my tired little brain decided it was the perfect time to try and race the van…I won. Kind of!
At this point they zipped off back to the main road and I continued on along the NCN route following little country lanes which were extremely dark, very twist and…HILLY!!!!! Argh! It was now passed midnight, I’d been on the go for 17 hours and given the lack of views and more importantly traffic, decided it was time to jump on to some more main (and flatter) roads. My brakes were objecting loudly to the steep drops and loads by this point and I was very worried about my wobbly crankset.
I was so (comparatively) close to my target now. I was concentrating on getting to Windermere and actively avoiding thinking about the fact I still had a paddle to do before sleeping. Head down, head torch on megabeam, head game firmly on! I finally made it north of Heversham and made that turn south west which felt like the homestraight to the Lake District. Sadly this did not translate into the freewheel that I had in my head and I ground out a really painful, heavy, torturous 20km finally arriving at Lakeside at 2am.
Exhausted, much to the delight of the crew whod come to find me at Windermere with their 'suffer cam', I kicked into autopilot to unpack my bike and detach the front wheel then inflate my packraft and pack it ready to launch for the 4km paddle up to my camping spot. The weather could not have been more perfect, there was not a breath of wind and the water was like a millpond.
Lights and PFD on, zero traffic on the lake, I grunted farewell and finally pushed off at 2.45am, paddling for just over an hour. The first 20 minutes were magical but I must admit the rest felt like eternity, I just wanted to sleep!!! I reached my camp spot at 4.15am and left my loaded raft pulled up on the shore with the bare esstentials removed to get some rest as soon as I possible could. Quick video diary, bite to eat and passed out for 1.5 hours to be rudely awaken by some kind of birdsong rap battle equivalent. Mixed emotions - love a dawn chorus but man, those geese can honk!!
Today was all about mind over matter and I'm so proud I made it.
Less proud of the camera evidence or lack thereof but fingers crossed for the docu!!
