Day 7 Garstang to Tiverton (Mark's house)

Right then we have lots to talk about.

Blogger finds himself quite sentimental, we are over halfway through our trip and reality is sinking in. We were welcomed to Chez Lambert this evening by a beautiful banner and lots of tea and cake (very famous five). After filling our hollow legs we fed Neville the horse and drank more tea.

Today has been a most interesting day, the riding has been tough and interesting social questions have been posed. We set off from Garstang before 9, after yet more fried breakfast, and ploughed our way south through Preston, Wigan and Warrington. As we have commented before Delilah is not built for city riding and so things were tricky. Most alarming though is how infrequently people smile.... Come on guys, we look ridiculous! At least crack a smirk.... Mile after mile of sallow-faced pudgy misery guts.

At points things were even worse than frowns. In Wigan a man staring at us from behind his net curtains flashed us the V's (we assume not V for victory). A 9-year-old in Warrington called us a bunch of loser's (fair call), but most disappointingly just south of Warrington a group of lads in a car threw a bottle at us.... Thanks.

So my social questions are; "What have we come to that we can't smile at 4 idiots on a bike? And what makes someone hurl abuse and bottles at 4 idiots raising money for charity?".... In Saudi Arabia you'd have your hands cut off for behaviour like that... But then in Saudi Arabia we'd have our hands cut off for wearing such revealing lycra.

So Tim (Saviour) has left us and is now on route to Belfast. He has been sad all day and we the same. Like a small child seperated from its mother we were nervous of our new found freedom. Disaster has also befallen the drivers from Bristol to Lands End as Dave's sister-in-law has just had her appendix whipped out. Fortunately, with some last minute juggling Saviour will be returning to finish what he started and will reunite with Team "Big Breaths" for their final run into the record books....hallelujah.

Tomorrow is our rest day....

David's weary bottom is in need of a 48hour icepack.
Matt is going to beach himself like a sick whale on the Lambert's sofa.
Mark is going fishing.
Mike wants to come as well.
Tim will be attending a wedding in jeans.... He forgot his suit..
PS. Tim bought an orange light for the top of the van - Wicked!!!
PPS. Thanks to Cath for the sponsorship money... all donations are very much appreciated by team BB.

Blogster will be taking a well earned break tomorrow.


Todays distance: 59 miles
Total distance: 564 miles
Today ascent: 954 metres
Total ascent: 8824 metres
Total fried breakfast: 38