Chris joined us for today, for the cycle south to near King’s Lynn. We started with the only climb of the day – near Caistor, at around 160m altitude, which is huge by Lincolnshire standards. After a 10% long drop (maxing out at 62kph) to Market Rasen, we followed NCR1 along various pretty – and empty – country lanes, to Lincoln.
At Lincoln, Dan discovered his back tyre had completely split apart. After calling in at a bike shop, and Lunch 1 at the bottom of Steep Hill, we headed towards Boston on the water trail, the 55km route livened up by a swaying tarmac track and varous sculptures.
At Boston, it was getting seriously hot -no rain today for the first time, so we had a long break and Lunch 2. Then it was the final 70km stint to near King’s Lynn, tough after a long hot day but we worked well as a team, taking turns at the front and averaging 33kph. After 100km of no hills whatsoever, the slight rise at Castle Rising, 180km in, was almost a relief.
There was an amazing sunset across The Wash, viewed from the house of Anna’s friend’s parents, and it was finally warm enough to relax for a long while in the garden.
181.5km today, in 7h26 moving time + 3h30 of breaks, an average of 24.4kph – the highest full day average by far. Tomorrow is London, which is 185km away. We are all very tired tonight, particularly Dan who’s done 8 days in a row now.
