Day 7: Friday 28th July Whitchurch to Garstang approx. 75 miles

The team were somewhat refreshed from an hour's rest before going out to eat yesterday. We are rapidly getting fed up with fry ups, I think we'll be vegans by the end of the ride. Matt claimed the first Paula Radcliffe moment finding a convenient field en route. On a similar theme we are told real cyclists apply haemorrhoid cream to their lower regions to numb the area and thus reduce discomfort during the ride. We have taken note, however, Matt who has a particularly vicious looking leather Brooks saddle has so far only applied sudocream to alleviate chaffing. Hamish has also applied this liberally preventatively, whereas I have so far relied on my gel saddle. This brings me on to the next subject (the faint hearted should look away now) whether one should wear anything under the lycra shorts. My own view on this is a definite yes, however, I am not in the majority on this, despite the obvious issues, and possibility of the application of various creams becoming more obvious than one might want. Such things as scot lines and comfort are put forward in the case against. Comments welcome on this. More later, I think I'm getting rsi writing this on a mobile phone! Anyway back to today's route. Earlier we rode through the area around Chester including Beeston which brought back fond memories for me. Later we rode through Warrington, Wigan and Preston which were not quite as appealing. Only broken by our lunch time break in a surprisingly nice roadside pub. Eventually we left the delights of Greater Manchester behind, and found our lodgings, a place called The Priory. So far so good. Tomorrow presents up with our second major challenge as we attempt to scale the Lake District. Will Barnie's new found fitness last out, will Matt's saddle be the end of him, will Hamish's hill lust burn him out? Find out next time...

Matt's Sid Superbe bicycle