Our Hadrian’s Wall epic has begun. After a VERY long train ride up north we caught up with the Blanchs and hunkered down in the first of our lovely hotels. Mike met us the next day at Carlisle and handed over our bikes, then drove us all out to the beginning of the trail in his van.
The ride was long and steady, taking us back to, and then beyond Carlisle. No sign of the Wall yet, but lovely countryside and lots of old churches and such. We came across the spot where Edward I died in his fight against Robert the Bruce. Death by dysentery though, not by sword-thrust or arrow strike. Poor bugger!
We popped into a lovely old church where a retired minister showed us around. I somehow envy her hang-out place waiting for visitors to show around.
The ride was not too challenging, taking us up a long valley out of Carlisle. That is until a VERY long and very UP section a few miles before we reached our digs for the night. We all engaged our lowest gears and ground our way to the top. The biggest hill of the trip, at least by bike, was behind us. WHEWWW!
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