Day 8 - The end

Having discovered the real flatlands of the fens yesterday, todays going was a lot easier. This was a blessing as I found I had a constant cramp in my left thigh. I was quite keen to put Wisbech behind us and complete the final days ride. We were soon out of the town. The roads for the day were fairly quiet and we didnt see many people. Within a couple of hours we reached the outskirts of King's Lynn. We got an idea of the locals when we passed 3 girls of about 16 chatting on the cycleway each with a baby in a pram. Passing a large industrial building and several sluice systems we got to King's Lynn's busy one way system. Reaching the final B&B we just collapsed for an hour or so in our room before braving the somewhat chavvy town for dinner. Now I just want to get home to my girl and spend the night in my own home.

Day 7 - Almost there

Today we finally reached the fens and all the flat ground that people talk about. Lots of very long straight stretches. The view went on for miles. The flat lands meant lots of wind turbines which looked very impressive or 'fans' as Steve keeps calling them (see photo). Up close they are huge. Several times we crossed decommissioned railway lines and even a station which Steve got many pictures of (see photo). Through the town of March which was a bit rundown and on to Wisbech which was only a bit better. Wisbech seems to have multiple buildings that have suffered from fire "accidents". King's Lynn is now only about 20 miles away so final goal saturday and then travel home sunday. Followed by hobbling into work on monday.

Day 6 - Finally getting flatter

The marina by the Premier Inn was vey quiet & peaceful and relaxing after a long ride (see photo). Today was an early start as the Premier Inn staff clear away the food at 9am so we had to be all finished by then. However, the cycling started with us following the Ouse out of Bedford which was very pretty,fairly straight and nice and flat. A nice gentle start to the day (see 2 photos). We had to deviate from plan once more to avoid cycling through fields. We paused at St Neots which was very pretty and had an early lunch and then pushed on along a fast B road as the only alternative to a bunch of farmers muddy fields. Eventually we made it to Huntingdon which is just a couple of miles south of Kings Ripton which was our final destintion for the day. Steve popped in a chinese takeaway to find out if they did deliveries as Kings Ripton looked quite small on the map and may not have had anywhere we could get dinner. When walked out the shop and closed the door I saw a hand appear in the shop window and turn the open sign to closed. I guess they didnt want customers today. When we reached the B&B "Glebe House" the nice lady suggested since we were cycling for charity she could run us back to Huntingdon where we could find somewhere to eat and pick us up afterwards. Got a lift in to St Ives and had dinner there. found a veryimpressive old bridge which Steve got many photos of. The bikes are still going strong and there are only 2 days left to reach King's Lynn. Unfortunately our legs arent going so well. Hills are getting harder & harder and each morning gets harder to get back in the saddle. The landlady was saying how Wisbech is not a very nice place & thats where our next B&B is :( Just 2 more days to get through.

Day 5 - Navigating Milton Keyes

We were up early and went for a wander in Winslow. Found the old disused train line but it was very overgrown. We set off a little early as we had to tangle with Milton Keynes today. On top of that we had to replan the route because NCN seems to have developed a taste for horribly boggy bridleways so we are being forced to come up with alternatives. Navigating MK proved tricky and it took us an hour to find our way through it. Once through we pushed on to Cranfield where we found a nice quiet spot for lunch (see 2 photos). It was at lunch that I realised I'm so weary that I forgot to activate the Sports Tracker in the morning so no route for today. Eventually we reached Bedford and the river is lovely. Cycling along it was a nice relaxing wind down to a long day (see 2 photos). Our bikes are now stashed in a Premier Inn laundry room whilst we stay the night. More replanning tomorrow to avoid NCN boggy bridleways and farmers fields. Still, on the bright side 5 days down & just 3 to go...just as well, my legs are getting so tired.

Day 4 - Weariness sets in

Phil, my brother wasnt too far away from our B&B in the morning so I had arranged with him that if we couldnt get the part we needed he would come and get us and drive us to the nearest halfords. This was an invaluable lifeline. First thing this morning Steve & I went to the local bike store and he had the part we needed. Hurrah! Phoned Phil to let him know problem solved and he suggested meeting that evening for a drink as we would still be near his place. Fixed Steve's brake cable and set off. Today got quite hilly and our progress slowed again but after what felt like a really long day we finally reached Winslow. Had trouble finding the B&B so the sports tracker shows us going backwards & forwards a bit at the end. Checked in got cleaned up and then Phil picked us up. Ran us into Milton Keynes to get some chain cleaner and fresh grease as my bike is getting clogged and then drove us to a nice pub he knows where we had a slap up dinner in a nice garden (see photo). After dinner he ran us back to the B&B and also took my dirty washing to lighten my bags (thanks Phil, might make things a little easier from here on). Ironically after running us home we are going to have to get up tomorrow morning & cycle all the way back in to Milton Keynes again :) The legs are starting to feel weary now so I'm glad we've done half the distance. I can see more hills coming up on the OS maps, what happened to this part of the country being flat?

Day 3 - Lull before the storm

Most of the day was fairly quiet. The only tricky part was navigating some of the bigger towns, although some of the cycleways were nice and scenic (see photo). However, on a couple of occasions we followed the now infamous NCN and on both occasions found ourselves on bridleways thick with mud and definately not suitable for bikes. We have decided to avoid anything less than a proper tarmaced road as it impacts our mileage heavily,improvising routes seperate from NCN. Having eventually reached our B&B Steve pointed out the his rear brake cable was fraying. Tomorrow morning we have to try and find a new cable and repair it. There was a bike shop around the corner from the B&B but being a bank holiday it was shut (check out the bike parts at each end of the sign in the photo). Having failed to get a part tonight we consoled ourselves with pizza in the nice B&B garden (see photo).

Day 2 - The traditional farm

After lunch today we stayed mostly on country lanes where it was relatively quiet and nice and flat so we made excellant time and reached our next B&B at 3:20pm. The only event along the way was an incredibly gaudy driveway up to a mansion that we passed (check out the photo of the gold statues). The B&B was a real working farm by the look of it and we left the bikes in a barn with some farming machinery. We ate dinner at the only place which is apparently open on a sunday. Heres hoping we can find somewhere to have dinner tomorrow on a bank holiday.