Day 10 Warrington to Lancaster

56 miles today, running total 467

Today was a bit of a disaster: especially for Jim. Less than 2 miles from the start, he gets a puncture. The only surprise is that this is the first puncture of the trip bearing in mind the hopelessly skinny slick tyres he uses.

first puncture of the tour

The inner tube was replaced and then something more serious: the bearings on the bottom bracket start making an awful noise. Backup is called and off to Paul Hewitt’s Cycles in Leyland  (remember the bike in the picture outside Islabikes?). Hewitt’s replace the bearings; noticed spacers were missing from the forks and adjusted the brakes and gears: all this on a bike that is just 3 months old. (He should have bought a British built bike, not some foreign rubbish!)

Meanwhile the other three intrepid travellers pressed on to Preston. Who would of thought we would be cycling through this beautiful park in the middle of Preston?

who would of thought this is the centre of Preston?

In answer to one Blog reader’s query that Alastair never seems to be in the photos and questions whether he is using Bus Pass rather than his cycle to do the tour; here is a ‘self-portrait’. Sorry it’s not an action shot but official photographer doesn’t appear to be around for photo calls.

he's still smiling.....

Quite a long and tiring day, here is a picture of the tourists cycling along Lancaster Cycle Path: an excellent disused railway path.

3 miles to go to Lancaster!

Tomorrow: the Lake District!