Day 8 - Slaidburn to Carlisle
A very hard day that begun hard and didn't seem to get any easier. Started with a climb up to High Bentham and once over the top couldn't really bomb it down hill as there are cattle grids everywhere. Went wrong in Burton-on-Lonsdale, thought I was going straight on but should of gone right and then straight on. Realised mistake at next junction about 1 mile later. Stopped for some lunch in pub in Tebay and as I came out the door to get back on bike it started to rain, I took shelter for about 15 mins before setting off in light rain. Light rain turned to heavy rain about 10 mins later and it rained for well over an hour, until Temple sowerby. Needless to say maps got wet but thankfully remained in tact when changing them. As previously mentioned, YH in Carlisle only opens in July and August so I went straight through and found a hotel about 5 miles the other side.
Day 9 - Carlisle - Wanlockhead
A much better day today with the weather behaving itself and the distance down to 57.5 due to extra miles done yesterday. Got to the border about 10am where I met 4 others doing LEJOG. I think they were doing the trip that I thought about doing with the Adventure Company, they didn't have luggage and there was a support vehicle following them around (light-weights), I was quite pleased that I was doing it 'My Way'.
From the border joined NCN 74 and followed it all the way to Elvanfoot and found it very easy to follow (unlike my experiences with some NCNs in England) except for 1 hill all gradiants were gradual. The hills from Elvanfoot to Wanlockhead weren't too bad either. I arrived at last shop before YH in Leadhills and had to wait 45 mns for it to open at 4pm. Tomorrow looks like lots of downhill, YIPPPEEE !!!!!
Day 10 - Wanlockhead to Loch Lomond
Today was a very slow start as no matter what I did I couldn't get comfy on the saddle, in fact the whole day was pretty slow as I had to navigate Glasgow. The approaches seemed to go for ever but once I crossed the Clyde and got onto the Galsgow to Loch Lomond cycleway it was much better. Not sure how I didn't puncture on the cycleway as there was plenty of glass about. Got to spectacular looking YH to find it was full, all 153 beds taken, as it happens I wasn't too dissapointed as the place was full of kids. I went back into Balloch and eventually found a B & B with a vacancy which was right next door to a pub and opposite a curry house - Result... Went for curry which was OK but not a patch on my local, The Taste Of Paradise on Brockhurst Road, Gosport.
713.89 miles done so far. 62 hours 16 mins 47 secs in the saddle