It’s another drizzly morning when I set off at 7:30. A handful of hills at the start are all we’re going to encounter today. The rest of the route is fairly flat. We follow narrow country lanes for most of the morning, and we’re delighted to finally have a tailwind!
I chat with Laura from London Ontario and before we know it we’ve reached the first pit stop. There are lots of other smiling faces when we get there because it was such a fun ride with the wind and terrain in our favour.
Shortly after I return to the route, the rain starts coming down hard and continues for about 20 minutes. The wind shifts as well, and we now have a strong headwind (and sometimes a crosswind) for much of the afternoon.
I miss a turn at 115 km and I ride 10 minutes down the road before I suspect my mistake. I flag down a driver coming toward me and she confirms that she hasn’t seen any cyclists. I return the way I came and find my way back to the route.
The second pit stop of the day has many of us shivering from being cold and wet. Frequent bouts of heavy rain continue all afternoon, then the sun comes out as I approach Manchester. After a number of traffic delays, I finally arrive at Haydock Racecourse, the site of tonight’s basecamp.
Lynn's Bike Ride 
Great job! Sounds like a good ride but tougher weather, hopefully you get through the last of the rain tomorrow and it’s clear skies to the finish. Good luck!
I’m afraid you’re suffering the vagaries of British weather! The last time I did Day 5 it was 30 degrees and the biggest threat was sunburn and dehydration! However, I did finish the day in the broom waggon with a broken bike and a body that wasn’t far off. My RAB was over! It looks like you’ll suffer a stiff headwind over Shap and a familiar pattern of rain. Not ideal, but this time tomorrow you’ll be over halfway and within 15 miles of Scotland and the forecast is for the wind to weaken later in the week.
oh Lynn! Watching you do this ride makes me so tired! I can’t imagine where you get your determination but I’m really proud of you for doing this! I can’t imagine the rough terrain and bad weather! I’m sure it was nice to have roads a bit flatter today tho but when the rain hit again, it must have been discouraging! I continue praying for strength and safety! Enjoy the rest of your trip, knowing we’re here at home praying for you!
hooray for a tailwind! Love the views of such quaint buildings and narrow country roads. Keep up the amazing job!
Lynn, you are such an inspiration. I hope the weather turns in your favour and the last of your trip is clear skies.