22/09/11 - Day 9(8th riding day) - After much discussion about rest days, two half days decided to clean bikes up so at 7am washed down steads oiled chains and set off to Telford in the hope the bike would be OK if not there was a bike shop at Telford. Set off gears better but not right. Stopped at a bike shop in Ironbridge who suggested a service but couldn't do it for us - thank you. Carried on to Telford and Buzz Cycles, v helpful and diagnosed a new cassette (that's the cog things) and the rear pads looked low so replaced them at same time, took some 3 hours to fix in the meantime Paul arrived with the motor home and prepared lunch then blagged a free motor home wash courtesy of Telford Council as their bus yard was next door and had a jet was for the buses - thank you Phil Bennett. 3pm set off clean home and serviced bike to revised destination of Upper Teen (near Uttoxeter). Got as far as Lillyshall and rear brake seized new pads causing the problem. Tried to sort out, failed so took out pads and ran on for c30 miles no rear brake - arrived in Upper Teen in the dark, knackered (sorry Mum if you're reading this) and pissed off (sorry again Mummy) and no showers! But the motor home shower came to the rescue and was brilliant as was Paula's evening meal. 52.98 miles (488) SPURS 4 - liverpool 0 - just thought I'd remind Dan and of course any other Liverpool fan out there!!
23/09/11 - Day 10 (9th day riding) - 6:15 got up had a go at sorting the brakes still no good so set off towards Aldingbourne to another bike shop. Passed JCB World HQ on route v impressive especially the statue of a transformer made from JCB buckets and fings. Met Paul at Aldingbourne and had a piece of Marion's fruit cake and a cuppa while the guy at Peak Bikes checked over the problem. After some adjustments which improved me lot we cycled the Tissington Trail in fantastic weather with glorious views. Then guess what the bike started playing up again and had to stop in Tideswell, the Cathedral of the Peaks. Bought Paul a special prezzie; a fidgety pie. Adjustments helped and carried on but had to take footpath which offered a lovely ride great views but v steep out had to walk it! Called yet another bike shop called 18 at Hope which was our destination. Got there at 5:20 they had a look and sorted it yehaa!!!! Then went to campsite and met Paula who now wears a lovely frock and just a bit too much make up for me but John seems to like it......Paul is definitely doing a great job supporting us. Met up with Dave Broddle, the guy who planned the route, we only hit him once each then bought him a beer, met Helen, Dave's wife and Ian who has also done the ride. Had a Chinese meal then on way back thru campsite stopped off with the neighbours for a night cap and some renditions of Doris Day classics. 53.43 miles (542)
24/09/11 - Day 11 (10th riding day) - 6:30 up after night before surprisingly chirpy. Rode out to Bamford found the trail to the reservoirs at Upper Derwent Valley. Lovely ride by water though woods then up and over Cut Gate on Midhope Moors. Before big climb sat and had a cuppa a guy rode up and sat chatting for a while. He was checking trail out for a ride tomorrow, Rowan Barrow gave us a donation - thanks Rowan Barrow. Really nice guy - hope you had a good day on Sunday.Onwards and upwards across Mickleson Edge to Thurlston Moor then across the Pennine Way fabulous ride and really lovely people. Started to rain on final run in to Marsden and Paul got us in to a camp site 2 miles out of town and uphill in a pub car park. Thanks Dad!! Now wearing pinny and skirt less make up - But not well.....John and I went to the pub and met really nice people again but did not have a go at the karaoke, one chap Gary gave a donation really kind thanks mate. 35.48 miles (577)
25/09/11 - day 12 (11the day riding) 6:20 up, Paul a lot better but leaving us today, boo, we have so enjoyed your help Paul v much appreciated and we will miss our early morning wake up calls (shithead). It was a dark rainy, windy morning but Paul thought nothing of chucking us out the door by 7:30 so he could rush off to Hebden Bridge, a train south and civilisation. We in the meantime found the Pennine Way again but then promptly lost it once more and had to work our way across the moor to catch up with it again then had an up and down ride in wind rain and cold to the M62, which we went under not on and carried on to Littleborough and the start of the Rochdale Canal which we rode all the way in to Hebden Bridge. Where thanks to Karen at Bronte Boats we found our motor home parked in their car park, where Paul had left it when he left us this morning to catch his train outta here. Don't you just love it when a plan comes together. Thank you Karen you really helped us. We then loaded up the bikes and drove out 2 miles to our campsite and a well earned afternoon off - cleaning our bikes and ourselves then sleep. 21.93 miles (599)
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