Weak signal so I’ll upload pictures tomorrow.
Awoken by a different alarm call today. 4 am, 5am and 6am. I could not find the off switch or snooze button on the cockerel and bantams that were around my tent this morning. More rain during the night meant putting a wet tent away along with wet clothes from yesterday. I don’t make breakfast this morning just some fig rolls as I plan to stop for breakfast. I am on the move by 8 after I find Ted and pay for my campsite (£5) and we have a chat. He was more concerned that I had been riding through the hot days rather than a rainy day yesterday.
As I reach Caister after 10 miles I am joined by Miles, David and Glen. They are on a tour including parts of the Way of the Roses. They are looking for a cafe as well. We see a sign and dive in but it is not open today and being used for a church service. Tempting but breakfast was calling.
They dive into the centre of Caister and I carry on and find a brilliant cafe that was open from 7am at some fishing lakes. A good cooked, poachers breakfast sets me up for the day. It’s a warm but overcast day but the head winds are still there. It is so much better than yesterday.
As I am doing the 4 extremities it only seems right to do the centre of the universe as well. I time my ride to arrive in Kermington at 11.30 when the ‘Marrowbone and Cleaver’ opens. I arrive 10 minutes early. This pub is owned by Guy Martin and run by his sister Sal. It is Sal who opens the door and let’s me in. What a fantastic pub with so much Heritage, memorabilia and things from Guy including his Royal Enfield. A really interesting place with such a lovely welcome.
I order a pint of skull and spanner’s, their own beer and start chatting. It is strange as It was as if I knew Sal and the pub as I had been listening to ‘we need to weaken the mixture ‘ on the way there. Guy explains how he bought the pub, does it up with Sal and gets Sal to run it. They have done an incredible job. I share what I am doing and have a lovely conversation about it. Im thinking it’s taken me 9 days of riding to get there 700 miles, your brother would do it in 3. Then console myself with the beer, knowing my bike is 45-50kg and Guy and his bike and kit weighed in at 25kgs when he rode the tour divide. An extreme long distance mountain bike race from Banf to the Mexican border. I’m highly honoured when I’m asked if I’d like my picture taken on the bike, would I? You bet! I can only stop for the one and say my farewell. In case you are wondering I can recommend the beer!
I have only just got going again when I’m greeted with ‘are you on a world tour?’ I must be overloaded. David from Scunthorpe CC pedals up and we have a chat. He is a more senior rider but very fit. He had ridden the London Edinburgh London Audax in 94 hours. We discuss touring and kit before he turns off, drops into his tri bars and accelerates away. Chapeau sir and I hope I can still ride like that when I’ve had a few more birthdays.
Back to my own tempo and I contemplate yesterday and why it was hard. I decide the hedgerows on either side of the straight roads had acted like a wind tunnel for the headwinds, and they were so high it stopped any views. Today the hedgerows have yellow hammers at regular intervals and I also spot my first green woodpecker of the trip. Lots of little villages, spectacular views and ups and downs make for an interesting ride and I’m back to loving it again
The ride over the Humberbridge was special apart from the fact I don’t like heights or looking up at tall structures, it makes my head spin. I crossed as close to the road as possible rather than near the railings and as quickly as possible. Then lots of cycle paths to take me into Yorkshire. Why is it I’ve started saying ‘how do’ to cyclists when we meet?
At Fangfoss 61 miles in I check for campsites and the weather. 15 miles on to Stamford bridge but rain is imminent and there is a site 1 mile away. I decide on the closer as I want to set up before it rains and need to try my kit from yesterday. A wise decision as it turns out.
I have just got set up when John and Charlene ask if I would like a cup of tea. ‘Yes please’ and we sit and have a cuppa before the rain starts. They have been wardens for 18 months here and have a little one. John has helped with the resurfacing or repairs of the roads for the Tour de Yorkshire. The site is teeming with birds and I see a GS woodpecker and then a sparrow hawk flies alongside and does a circuit of the site.
As thinks are drying I think I’ll head back to the Carpenters pub in Fangfoss. I walk up to the bar at 7.01 and ask if they are serving food. Sorry we stop at 7. I didn’t stop for a drink. I know time is time but just can’t help but compare this attitude to the welcome I had earlier. I cycle back, it’s weird without the panniers and my steering is all over the place. It starts to rain again!!!!
I’m typing this up in my tent with rain drops falling. I realise I am now over half way distance wise. Let’s see what tomorrow brings, let’s hope it’s fine.
PS Barry from Cambridge I overtook 7 bikes today 🙂
Four Cardinal Points LEJOG 2019 Paul Andrew 