Day 6 - to Leigh,Gtr Manchester (78 miles)

It was a day of two halves. In the morning, we struggled first with a climb out of Ironbridge Gorge and then with various mechanical problems. Two innertubes exploded in fairly quick succession and we had to remove the back wheel (including the drag brake) both times. In the end we decided to change the rear tyre, which was on its last legs. We stopped the first time next to a group of people felling and pruning trees too near power cables and the second time across from a prison! By midday, we had barely covered 25 miles.

We stopped for lunch in Audlem just inside Cheshire border at a pub alongside a canal - one of many that we crossed over. The barman/waiter mentioned that he had been serving a number of people doing le-jog.

Once we reached the flat Cheshire countryside we really started moving. We averaged between 15 and 18 mph for several hours, and only started slowing down once hit rush hour traffic in Greater Manchester. Traffic was almost at a standstill at the Warburton toll bridge over the Manchester Ship Canal, where they were charging a 12 pence toll (bikes excluded). I am not sure they have been keeping up with inflation.

As a result of our speedy cycling, we reached Leigh ahead of the heavy rain which is heading northward. Unfortunately, we are going to have to contend with the heavy rain tomorrow instead...