Day 8 - 31.05.09 Slaidburn to Southwaite (Cumbria)

Distance : 70.2 miles
Average Speed : 10.6 mph
Toatl Time : 9.5 hours

After what seemed like a very short nights sleep and with weary legs from yesterday we set off with some trepidation into the Lake District, with the hills looming around us giving some indication of the day to come. It was a cruel start with a 6 mile climb, but the gorgeous weather and beautiful countryside raised our spirits as did the 6 mile descent the other side. It was very hot, the road was melting and blistering and it sounded like bubblewrap when you went over it. The roads were pretty busy, especially with motorbikes that kept screaming past, and horse drawn romany caravans.

Today marked the halfway stage, both in time and distance, we celebrated with a Ginsters pasty at Tebay services on the M6! When you have cycled all day everyday for 8 days and are only are halfway you realise we live in a long country.

Cumbria is hilly but we managed to make good progress and today was one of the rare occasions we finished before 7pm.