Day 6 Kendal to Lockerbie

73 miles in just less than 6 hours. Thanks mum for coming out to Kendal, dinner last nite and the send-off this morning. The climb over Shap was tough - shades of the Dragon ride back in June. Early lunch in Penrith - lots of happy memories from my formative years. Good run up to Carlisle which was surprisingly busy and difficult to ride through. Then a nice run out on the A74 to Gretna Green, the Scottish border and on to Lockerbie to end with a fish supper and a pint of beer. Finding handling the emotional/mental side of things tougher than the physical side. Felt lonely, miles from everyone and heading further away today. Missing my amazingly supportive wife and kids. 85 miles to Stirling tomorrow. Thanks once more for all your messages - you'll never know what a difference they make to how I feel. Good night, John.

Day 5 Northwich to Kendal

90 more miles in 7 hours. The best day of the tour so far. Weather wet and windy for first few hours - through Warrington and Wigan. Then into God's County (Lancashire for those who don't know me that well) - I even got off the bike and took photo of County sign! Then into Preston and a brief meet-up with my brother David - amazing to see him looking so well. Then a push on through Lancaster and late in the day as weather improved into Kendal - what an amazing place Cumbria and the lakes is. Dinner with mum to end a perfect day - no comedy satnav, cycling through fields or over fresh tar moments! Tomorrow just 73 miles into Scotland and over Shap Fell, piece of cake! Halfway there now, let's finish this off together now folks - still need all your support and encouragement. Cheers John.