Day 9 - Penrith to Moffat

I begin today’s entry by pointing out that, as my fellow cyclists know (Greg), I don’t have a competitive bone in my body. That said, Tour de LEJOG Day 9 started in Penrith and finished in the Scottish town of Moffat, covering 71 miles and 2,743 feet of elevation. It saw another stage win for a Hooligan (FYI, I’ve decided that every day has 4 stages: 1) start to the first Brew Stop, 2) Brew Stop to lunch, 3) lunch to second Brew Stop, and 4) Brew Stop to finish line.)

At the morning briefing, Russ explained that today the hills would be neither “cheeky” nor “lumpy” but rather “undulating.” I liked the sound of that so seized the opportunity at the start to latch onto the lead group of eight or so, maintaining my position in the rear all the way up to the final climb to the first Brew Stop, when I dropped 50 yards or so.

Stage 2 began with the same lead group, but minus me, who strategically decided to hang back and leave with Larry, and go at a more moderate pace. (If the WP Hooligans team had a race director, I’m sure this would have been the strategy.) By the time we rolled in for lunch, the A Team had all been served and were on their second cups of tea. Lulled into complacency, they barely noticed when Larry and I headed to the second Brew Stop, 15 miles away, with the first 5 heading straight west into a wicked strong headwind. I pulled Larry through this section and for a few miles more after we turned north and had a favorable wind. That’s when I went for the stage win.

I can’t say I was confident, since these were solo miles and I knew there were two or three groups of chasers, including the A Team (mostly incredibly strong women) and the gang I’ll call the UK Diesel Crew (some of you will know what that means). The hills were undulating but they were still hills, and I expected to be passed at any moment. With two miles left, I felt I had a chance and pushed hard on the up and downs, never looking back. What a great sight it was to see the big red Peak Tours van at mile 49, with crew member Dave standing beside it but neither a bike nor a cyclist in sight.

Stage 3 goes to WP Hooligans.

Of course, as I think I’ve mentioned, this is a fun ride not a race, and it’s mostly about camaraderie and enjoying the countryside. And again we were traveling through lovely country. Photos below.

The view from the men’s room in tonight’s hostel