I will remember this day for the stress it held in store for me.

 

Yesterday I took a decision to replace my bike chain with a new one after discovering a bent section. The risk in making this replacement was that new chains and old chain rings (gears) don’t always work well together. If I just replaced a section of the existing chain I could have ended up with another failure because the chain was on its last legs. I made the replacement and after a short test felt that it might be OK for day 14. But once we headed out into the hills the chain started causing problems. It skipped over the gears, making forward motion nearly impossible.

 

I tried to contact our campervan driver to see if he could pick up spares at a bike shop in Penrith. However we could not make contact. So after a discussion we decided to make a big detour by cycling to Penrith by road. Before we could do so we had to wade across a deep river, find our way through a field of corn and jump a few fences and walls. Once on the tarmac we set off in a hurry. My bike worked reasonably well in the top gears so I was able to do a good speed. However after 10 miles we were slowed to a standstill by roadworks.

 

I noticed a car stopped just ahead of me – it had a bike carrier on the back and two bikes. I spotted that there was room for a third bike.
I motioned to the driver and he opened his window. I quickly explained the problem and asked if he was en-route to Penrith. “Sorry mate, we aren't going that way” was the answer. The window went back up. I left it at that, but out of the corner of my eye saw that a conversation was going on between the driver and his companion. After a while the window opened again. “We’ll give you a lift, meet us us in the next lay-by”.

 

I was only too happy to take up the offer because it meant I could get ahead of Paul and Martyn and in so doing reduce the delay in us getting back on track. The couple met me just after the roadworks and my bike was quickly affixed to the carrier. Once inside the vehicle I explained the problem and also said what we were doing, i.e. cycling to John O’ Groats. The driver asked me what I did for a living and I explained that I was a minister. At this point the female passenger spun around and exclaimed in a strong American accent that her dad was a Presbyterian minister in Tennessee. The driver hinted that he was pleased to be doing a Good Samaritan deed for the day. I was really pleased that I had asked for their help, and to involve them further I passed on the blog address so that they could find out more about our adventure. Thank You!

 

Once in Penrith I asked two young lads on bikes if they could tell me where the best bike shop in town could be found. They gave me directions and I wasted no time in getting to Arragon, the name of the shop. The mechanics there were sympathetic to my plight and made plans to get me back on my bike. Whilst they worked at the problem I was joined by Martyn and Paul and we headed off for a coffee. Later we returned to the shop and purchased items that we have needed to get hold of over the past few days.

 

Bike back together and with new components in place, we set off for Halt Whistle, our evening destination. The ride back was spectacular, looking out as we did across to the mountains of the Lake District. Our journey included a steep climb to 1900 ft. Once at our campsite for the night I spent over two hours fine tuning my bike and servicing the rear shock absorber. We had a super meal prepared by Stuart, and then there was just time for a shower and the 10 p.m. news/weather.

 

All are tucked up and asleep, and now it’s my turn.

 

Tomorrow we head off into Scotland!

Gavin