Day 2 Oswestry to Northwich

What a long day it turned out to be 8 and half hours in the saddle! Knees ache, assos shorts still doing their job!


Porridge and toast in the Little Chef Oswestry - note to self get out earlier for Lejog 9.30 by time we left. Already panicking over the Horseshoe Pass. Knew we had three climbs the Horseshoe Pass being the last. 20 miles in done and dusted.


The first major climb unto Selatyn hard but ok. the downhill down a steep and potholed track was a bit hold on to the brakes for grim death - couldn't enjoy it at all. There's something discouraging about losing all the altitude you've just gained.


The second hill unto Llanffrodog turned out to be the worst hill of the day Horseshoe Pass was easy in comparison. From the pitying looks of the car drivers we passed I knew we were in for it. It had me beat from the start. Definitely harder then "Jelly-Baby" Hill from the BHF Peak District Ride. The down-hill the other side turned out to be a bit White knucke as well! A retrospective look at the course profile should have enlightened us. It looked like a stalagmite.


Llangollen - stopped for a coffee and a muffin to steady the nerves. What a nice town. Can't recall being there before. By now I was in full blown panic mode - convinced that the Horseshoe Pass must be worse than the second climb


Horseshoe Pass. I can't thank my wonderful husband enough for coaxing me up that pass. Ever encouraging and happy for me to stop for a quick minute to recover. It turned out to be a gradual drag in granny gear - my legs were shot after the first two climbs. the worst bit was the drag up to the Horseshoe. I had a minor panic over a steep camber on a left bend the right cambers were less steep. As we climbed higher the views were spectacular The horseshoe itself wasn't as bad as I thought. Really enjoyable would like to do it again - with fresher legs. Soon I was punching the air and humming the theme tune to Bonanza as we whizzed down to The Ponderosa cafe (you have to be my age to get the joke!) We shared the cafe with about 50bikers. The only downside was it was 2.30 pm by the time we left and we had only covered 19miles.


Down to Northwich. Hmm! For some reason I had got it into my head that the next 39 miles would be one glorious coast down to Northwich. Not quite! Lots of downhill but hard work, including one drag right at the end out of Chester along the A54. Haribo power and a determination that I'd got up Horseshoe Pass so I wasn't going to be beaten by an insignificant dual carriageway.
58 miles, 6.10pm and the Premier Inn Sandiway with adjoining restaurant 10 steps from the door. Bliss. Dodgy mobile phone signal mind you - but you can't have everything


Julia