Day 8 Alsager 2 Tewkesbury
Sweat, tears and rain.....
Let me start by saying although I'm clearly suffering, I'm ok (well sort of) Those who are worried, please don't be alarmed, pain is just weakness leaving the body! I must be very weak as there appears to be a lot of it leaving! Joking aside what I try to write is a true account of what happens, physically and emotionally on my journey, as well as the sites. When we can see them! This is not sympathy or to worry anyone or for another reason, other than for you to know what happens and later for me to recall.
So I begin again with a big thanks to Ei and Ray for their generous and kind hospitality, setting us off with Staffordshire oat cakes, bacon and melted cheese (look them up) yummy.
Within 7 miles and about an hour of cycling, I'd given up and restarted about 7 times! The knee was incredibly painful and more one legged cycling, adjusting saddle etc. There have been tears on and off over the last few days but I really thought this was it and I wouldn't be able to continue. Colin was great, patient and we discussed the options. Resting a day, arrive on Sunday etc etc. I looked at the codeine tablets, 2 tablets 4 Times a day. Ok I'll try 4 tablets twice a day, with the Naproxen and paracetamol and see how far I can get. Also purchased deep heat, to see if it could help. Taking it mile by mile we made a bit of progress, although I was by now feeling a little light headed... not recommended. For the last few day I have only been able to use smallest chain ring on the front and half the rear gears, so progress was slow. After about 40 minutes I became very drowsy. We pulled in at a service stain to get a high caffeine drink. Luckily that worked and I perked up a bit. We were able to continue, with the knee slowly accepting the pain relief. Most of the 96 miles today were very wet, with torrents of water washing across the roads, again. The plotted routes have also been great picking out great, quite roads. However there was a bit of an issue today. Shortly after Albrighton we turned up a road that said, "private strictly no access", I shortly followed the reading of the sign with another "oh COCK", I really wasn't in the mood. So I said to Colin "lets just do it". As we got to the front steps of Patshull Hall with a games keeper looking at us oddly, we turned right off down the dirt track I was being directed down ( by the bike computer, another minor suspect road choice). Expecting to here shouts of "get off my land " at anytime. The track shortly brought us out alongside, what appeared to be the 12th fairway of an exclusive golf club! Here we received even more wide eyed stares from the members playing their round. Probably not happy with Colin's choice of shorts! They clearly weren't tailored! We kept our heads down and were shortly back on the public road, laughing like school kids. Other than becoming wetter than ever, not much else happened other than our first puncture with 20 miles to go, on the shopper. Not much fun repairing it in the rain at the side of a dual carriageway. Arriving today at 19:00. I said to Colin, if (and I'm still not sure I will) , I do get to the finish, I really think I want the "JOGLE" and rainbow logo tattooed on my left knee! Colin laughed and added he'd have it on his arse!
To Cheddar tomorrow.
Strava route
· Day 8
