5/9/09 Day 5 from Shropshire to Lancashire 90 miles

The meal at the Hotel was excellent and we all wearily went to bed.
Unfortunately my night was disturbed by frequent bouts of diarrhoea. Apparently this sort of ‘liquid’ epidemic has occurred before on LEJOG trips. My theory is that it’s the splash up from wet roads of all the sheep/cow faeces…..
The morning cycle was done with clenched buttocks but fortunately it seems to have passed through. Lunch break loo stop only produced ….wind! What a relief!
Poor old George had to sit out today’s ride after a third night of trouble – as the day progressed he was looking better for the rest. I think everyone felt stiff & sore as we set off in a large group in sunshine round the Shrewsbury one way system.
Out past the 1403 battlesite, and village called….Clive!! Through Wem on a fairly quiet B 5476. Once we got to Whitchurch we joined the A49 and this would take us all the way to Preston.

There was 60 miles until the lunch stop and the clouds built & temperature dropped. Today the undulations were mild (I only used my ‘Granny’ gear (small front sprocket) once. Lunch, in a sports centre car park, was welcome, including some of Simon’s fish & chips! Ahead lay the ‘battle’ through 3 major cities – Warrington/Wigan & Preston itself. With numerous traffic lights & challenging roundabouts we dodged & weaved ‘mad-dog’ fashion.

Out past Haydock Racecourse the sign said NEXT METTING - TODAY! I was tempted.... There was one minor incident when Jerry was knocked over by a drunk ‘St Trinian’ girl (bloke in drag)who were out collecting money for some charity. She stepped out into the cycle lane but seemed to think it was Jerry’s fault! No harm done thank goodness and Phil managed to avoid a full scale argument/fisticuffs! Other St Trinian’s were ladies old enough to know better than to flash their knickers at us!!

Through a place called Charnock Richard there was a surreal exhibition for many miles to do with their scarecrow festival. From cricketers to surgeons operating and Miss Muffet as well as a Bentley complete with Wedding couple. Very imaginative clever & helped us get through those miles - which had become somewhat chilly - our sweat soaked clothes cooled as we speed through. This section I had ridden before on the Manchester to Blackpool ride, but my head injury had erased all memory of this. At one point the road loops around an inviting looking Golf Course.

Coming into Preston Tim Steve, and myself got slightly lost, ending up on a very pleasant (apart from the cow-shit) track along the river. As we climbed a steep slippery slope I slipped & fell onto Tim’s pedal – ripping my shorts and grazing my R buttock – much to the amusement of the car drivers as we headed out of Preston to the Ibis Hotel. (wound update 6/9/09 superficial graze only..won't affect cycling)
Today we had a nice westerly ie neutral wind and made great progress, a lot of it in a large group as we whizzed through towns & villages. Gerry set the pace (ha ha) alot of the day. My Garmin helped navigate through. Yorkshire John was often away with his music. AndyH is having a bit of knee trouble & his support is helping There is no race or time pressure. Jason Stuart & Matt are happy to wait until everyone is through the break points.
Today the Pros stuck with the group. Tomorrow they are planning some sort of masochistic 30 addition mile diversion including a 25% hill! Dave had got himself a knee support - Nikki has an ankle support and along with Wigan-Mark (of tilted head and lucozade fetish/addiction Does he shoot it in iv??) Lincoln-Dave and Fliss who had an adventurous time after lunch. She became detached from the group - kindly local man Mark doubled back to look for her. In the event she had taken her own route & beat him to the welcome Cup of Tea stop in Euxton!!

After showers & as the dreary England friendly played on the TV (2-1 v Slovenia) some pool was played - Pro-Andy showed his class with a good finish.
Supper was next door in the pub - most of us had a hearty (16oz.) steak. The mood of the group is very high - we are nearly half way and after 2 days heading due north we feel now like we are making some real progress.
The first 3 days were in a sideways direction but now we are heading NORTH for our destination. Simon has gone home for the night & slept in his own bed!
So on a Saturday night we all headed for bed before 2200!!
I went to see MarkII who after a day back in the saddle was suffering again with sweats & shits. Hopefully it'll flush through before morning..
ALE OF THE Day... N/A draught Grolsch at the Ibis - very refreshing
89.9m 6h08m at 14.65mph
(shorter blog need to save power as I've stupidly left PC mains lead at last Hotel...will ask for it to be posted on.. or new one from PCWorld...)