Left Lancaster under partly cloudy skies and rode north through Kirkby Lonsdale up the west side of the Pennines. Entered the northwest corner of the Yorkshire Dales National Park at Sedbergh.It is incredibly beautiful country and my morning ride was under mostly sunny skies! There were a few hellish climbs but the upside was the downside. One climb of about 2.5 miles from Cowgill to Garsdale Head was especially memorable. I'm sure there are plenty of good climbs still to come.
Temperatures dropped significantly at the summit under cloudy skies and a strong headwind out of the north. Had to slip on leggins, thermal top and warm gloves for the first time on the journey. Cumbria is quite a bit cooler.Riding down the Vale of Mallerstang, I came upon the ruins of Uther Pendragon's castle.
Made my way into Kirkby Stephens for a much-needed pint and shower. Amazing how 53 miles with climbs is so much harder than 75 miles of comparatively flatter terrain. Only 548 miles left though which means ... WE'RE OVER THE HUMP, BABY!!! Somewhere today it all started going downhill! (If only it were so!)
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