Carlisle to Moffat: 68km It was -1 this morning. Since Lands End, we have experienced swings in temperature from 28C to 7C , back to 23C and now down to freezing! Today, we cycled in most of our layers. Our departure from Carlisle was straightforward and we joined the National Cycle Network Route 7 high above the ...

      Kendal to Carlisle: 75km The ascent to the summit of Shap Fell began soon after we left Kendal, first on side roads and then on the A6 (which we followed for the rest of the day). It was a fairly steady climb for 20 km. The weather was cold and clear and it remained chilly for ...

    Preston to Kendal: 76km Today, we had to cycle through rain for the first time on this trip. After a memorable breakfast (because of the porridge) we headed to the A6, which led to the NCN Route No 6. The route crisscrossed the M6 several times as well as the mainline rail line and the Lancaster ...

  Cheadle Hulme to Preston (11km cycling plus a few kms by train) Deciding we didn’t need the stress of navigating the Manchester conurbation, and in order to have a bit more time with Nathaniel and his parents, we travelled to Preston by train and then cycled the short distance to our B&B near Woodplumpton. Jack, the ...

  Leek to Cheadle Hulme: 39km Today was a fairly relaxed blend of peaceful cycle paths, busy main roads and suburban streets. After peering into the Leek Oatcake Shop, where traditional (Staffordshire) oatcakes were being made on a large griddle (pancakes made with oat flour), we headed off on an old railway track which leads to and travels ...

Derby to Leek: 55km We had a good ride today. It was chilly at first, but soon warmed up and the sun shone brightly. Getting out of Derby was straightforward, thanks to Marius and Helen’s helpful suggestions. We took Long Lane, an old Roman road, and after turning north, found good espresso at the Shire Horse ...

Birmingham to Derby: 76km After a short time navigating rush hour traffic, we took a couple of side streets and descended some steps to the towpath. The Gas Street Basin is the junction of at least three canals. The centre of England’s industrial revolution was the Midlands with Birmingham at the hub. The canals were very ...

Leamington Spa to Birmingham: 45km Paul was particularly looking forward to cycling along the towpaths into Birmingham today. But first, a great breakfast and espressos at Bill’s, which included “porridge” (not oatmeal) with maple syrup, bananas and roasted hazelnuts. Marius and Helen arrived from Burton Dassett and we cycled down Willes Road to have a photo ...

Evesham to Leamington Spa: 52km The skies were overcast and the persisting north winds made for a chilly ride. Soon after leaving Evesham, we joined a cycle trail on an old rail line into Stratford-upon-Avon. Being Sunday, we shared the trail with many other cyclists, as well as runners, horse-riders and dog walkers. After a couple ...

Berkeley to Evesham: 72km We can highly recommend the Perrots House B&B, for cyclists; the rooms are off a courtyard where we kept our bikes, there is a lovely garden and we were served a hearty breakfast. The proprietor was very supportive of our ride, as her brother also completed the route. Her passion is competition ...