Clitheroe to Kendal

After months of planning, researching and buying kit, and reading loads of inspirational blogs, I've finally set off for a trip around Scotland. I've put everything I need to survive in 4 panniers that Ive strapped to my bike. Here it is spread out for you to see:

And here is the planned route:

That line is accurate for the plan, except it was to go through the Lake District at the beginning.

I'll post an actual route when I get the chance.

On Friday, May 1, I got the train from London Euston to Preston, where I road 20 miles to get to Clitheroe for the Cycle Touring Festival.

The Festival was just about the most fun and interesting group of people I have ever been a part of. Everybody there had done a trip that most people would say is the craziest thing ever, but here it was just... normal.

Day 1 (May 4):

Clitheroe to Bolton-le-Sands

30 miles

After the festival, I set off from Clitheroe with Lucy and Caroline, a couple friends I made at the festival who lived somewhere along my route going north. A few other friends, Ben and Barry, made us some coffee before leaving, and then waved us off. We were also waved off by James, who was starting a ride to Istanbul, and then flying to Thailand so he could ride back to the UK.

The ride that day was great. We had really good weather, and the roads were generous and not too steep most of the time.

There was a bit of traffic along the way...

The cutest traffic jam I've ever seen.

I arrived to the campsite on the coast around 3 or 4, and ran right into another couple on a bike tour.

After a shower and some laundry, I went to the local pub with them, where they bought me a couple of pints, and we discussed touring, football, and a few other things.

As I began to get ready to go to sleep, I started to notice a pain in my right forearm, which by morning became pretty painful by morning, and made packing up camp pretty difficult.

I think I've come to the conclusion that I've sprained or strained a muscle somehow, probably while unloading the panniers off the bike that first night.

Day 2 (May 5):

Bolton-le-Sands to Kendal

24 miles

The planned route for this day was to go through Windermere and over Kirkstone Pass to a campsite in Brotherswater, which is straight through the heart of the Lake District.

It was raining when I woke up, and just about the whole day while riding. There was also really strong winds most of the ride, which just shattered me and my desire to continue. 

The views and the experiences make it all worth it though.

Combine the weather with my forearm, and I decided to skip the rainy Lake District and just grab the train from Kendal to Penrith where I'd get another train up to Scotland. Some might call that cheating, but that's ok.

I was a little upset to miss out on the Lake District, and that the trip didn't get off to the flying start I had hoped for, but that's part of the adventure! 

Caroline, my new friend from the festival, offered to put me up for the night in Kendal, which worked out perfectly. It was nice to get a hot shower, good food, and a good deal of comfort for the night.

Her hospitality was amazing and way more than I ever expected!

All the best.