Day 11 - Kirkby Lonsdale to Carlisle. 62 miles, hilly bits 4300 ft.

- You’ll be ok as long as you don’t go through Shap.

- We are going through Shap.

- Ahh.

The sort of conversation that makes you feel you’re about to head into Mordor. And today was Shap day.

We would be cycling uphill for about 30 miles to reach Shap. So letting Richard direct us to the baker’s shop for breakfast wasn’t the best call. He sailed past the town centre sign, opting for the longer, steep hill alternative. Ha bloody ha.

Then the work began. Gently climbing at first before being thrown to the orcs. I wished I were a real cyclist who could manage the hills without hoping for a spear to put me out of my misery, but every pedal rotation was forced.

The higher we cycled the stronger the wind. But for once the bloke who wrote the route book didn’t lie and we had the South Westerly wind on our backs - helping us up. Supposedly.

And rather bizarrely, as Susanna pointed out, we were cycling along the central reservation. M6 northbound to our left, M6 southbound on our right.

The upside of 30 miles up, is it was followed by 30 miles down. Richard flying down the hills like a maniac, Susanna and me wearing down our brakes. While Alan & Christine looked like they were being filmed for a how-to-ride-your-bike-perfectly video.

Today’s lessons:

1. Never trust Richard’s directions.

2. Central reservations make a great cycle path.

3. When Bookingdotcom stuff up your reservation, hang in there - they eventually upgrade and rehouse you at their expense.

4. We’ve cycled higher than Everest.