Distance: 81.5 miles
Miles to Go: 476
Average Speed: 12.7 mph
Time in Saddle: 6 hours 23 mins
Lunch: Hamers Arms, Ramsbottom
Route Profile: 
Report:
The first half of today was very urban cycling....in a strange way, rather pleasurable, and something completely different to what we had experienced in the first 5 days. For various reasons, we left the Chester YHA a little later than planned, and that seemed to set the tone for the rest of the day as we tried to play catch up.
We set out through Chester towards Delamere Forest. A few of us have been suffering from knee pain for the past few days, and the mornings are always the worst part of the day....until they are warmed up properly and the ibuprofen has kicked in! The route was lumpy at best, but still enough to make the first few miles rather slow and painful. Ali was in particular pain, and needed the attention of the amazing Stella (a qualified and quite brilliant physio) to get her up to speed.
The mid-morning break was just outside Lymm, and after a short break, a few pot noodles, a cup of coffee and a handful of sweets (not to mention a cheeky application of some more udder cream!) we continued out way towards our lunch stop in Ramsbottom.
Other than having to stop quite a bit to look at the map, the route was actually a lot better than expected...that was until the route took us towards Astley Green on a completely unmade, gravel track, chase by a few agressive looking dogs and over an unmanned level crossing...not exactly ideal conditions for racing bikes!! Incredibly we all managed to avoid getting ambushed by the puncture monkey, so that's something!
The lead group arrived safely at the Hamers Arms in Ramsbottom around 14:30. Sheila and the rest of her team at the pub were so lovely and supportive and were able to bring out our lunch within minutes of us arriving! The second group were still suffering from various knee problems, and arrived a good hour later. If it wasn't for Chris' encouragement and Stella's roadside physio sessions, they might never have made it.
The staff at the Hamers Arms worked through their mid afternoon break to feed everyone. Not only that, but we weren't charged for our drinks either. Thank you so much.
In the afternoon, the support crew spent much of it trying to deal with Rich's broken bike....he was still using the spare. Unfortunately Halfords were not able to add any value, but after considerable effort, we found an amazing bike shop in Carlisle (Sctoby Cycles - http://www.bikebike.co.uk/) who thought they could fix it, if we could get them the bike over to them tomorrow morning.
The afternoon session was largely without incident, although the second group were still finding it hard going with all the injuries. We cycled through the Rossendale Forest and over Hameldon Hill.....what a descent into Burnley!
Eventually, we arrived in Earby at around 18:00....a tough day all in all. The first group took a minor detour via the Punch Bowl pub (http://www.punchbowlearby.co.uk/) to have a quick photo with Martin (the landlord) and Michelle. The second group arrived shortly before 19:00.
After a quick shower and change, we were all back to the Punch Bowl for some dinner....and a spot of Live music from the Nick Dow Blues Band! We have to just say, once again how fantastic they were to us....Martin, Michelle and the team were so supportive and interested in what we were doing.....they even started a little collection bucket at the bar in aid of MNDA and our ride. Thank you everyone.
Tomorrow's ride should be a belter....out of Earby, and up to Carlisle via Shap Fells!! One thinks there could be the odd hill to climb!
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