28 Sep: Day 5 Shrewsbury to Preston

Today was the day we were dreading the most on the LeJog tour.
Looking at the map, it looked like one very long ride through a very large conurbation.
In fact, the day turned out much better - roads were not too busy, weather was perfect and we cycled through some lovely countryside.
Just under 6 hours in the saddle. Total mileage 90 miles. 886 metres of ascent. Average speed 15.4 miles per hour. Average temperature 15 degrees C.
We beat the van to the morning coffee stop so we pushed on - riding with Angus, Colin and Vajrin - to a mock tudor hotel and tucked into coffee and shortbread, sitting by a false fire!

We crawled through Warrington and Wigan - but were still moving faster than the cars.

We were guided into Preston by Craig, who lives here so we took a very scenic route in, across the River Ribble along an arboretum and into a well planted, autumnal park (with a Chinese garden in the centre). We enjoyed the fanfare welcome that was laid on for the local boy, Craig, by many of his mates.

And the architectural highlight of the day - Preston bus station. For many years apparently the biggest and busiest bus station in Europe.

We have now 425 miles under our feet and under our bottoms, and we are feeling it!
Our quads and bottoms are extremely painful notwithstanding the cold baths, sitting with our feet up the wall (above our heads), the milkshakes and a variety of deadly energy potions.
But we are really looking forward to the rest of the trip (7 days of cycling left) as we think the countryside is about to get really really fabulous. Let's hope today's wonderful cycling weather holds and the punctures stay away.