Kirkstone - Ingleton

As we set off from our campsite right on Kirkstone pass it was hard to overlook the mizzle and mist. The campsite had an on site bar doing breakfast so we stopped for a bite to eat before tackling the pass. This was when the first puncture of the day revealed itself as Rob's back tyre looked sadly deflated. I stocked up on camping gas at the campsite shop whilst Rob got repairing and then we tackled the pass. Having done it a few weeks ago on my road bike I can say that it is much more of a challenge fully loaded, but I managed it nonetheless.

At the top of Kirkstone

We stopped in Windermere for a visit to Booths supermarket where we bought some lunch stuff and found a bike shop next door so bought a new spare inner tube. This was when we noticed that the screw holding rob's pannier rack on at the bottom had sheared off leaving part of it stuck in the lug. The bike shop near booths was unable to help so we cycled to the massive bike shop in Staveley who took it in for an hour to remove the screw whilst we found a (fantastic!) place for lunch - veg chilli and lovely salads. 

Having already had problems with the pannier rack a few times we weren't surprised to hear that it was the wrong one to fit the bike and it was rubbing the frame. The bike shop fitted a new one which fits beautifully and let us use their Internet to google hostels and campsites for the night. 

Leaving the bike shop we headed for Kendal. On the outskirts of Kendal we noticed that Rob's back tyre was once again flat. We taped up a little hole from the inside of the tyre, patched the inner tube and hoped for the best. Fortunately we discovered bike shop no.3 for the day conveniently on the road into Kendal. Here the shop assistant put some air into the tyre and blew up the inner tube. Dramatic! However, having explained the recurring puncture to him this meant he very kindly took it off to replace and check himself. We stocked up with another inner.

Enjoying Dentdale

Earlier in the day I had booked us beds at Ingleton youth hostel (for a bargain price of £9.50 each!), but we started to wonder if, leaving Kendal at 4, we could make the 30 miles there before dark. Having done only 20 miles already we were keen to get further than Kendal so set off. 

However what we learnt is that there is no quick way to cycle between the Lakes and the Dales. We rode through some beautiful valleys but encountered hill upon hill. As the light faded we got out our headtorches and bike lights and ploughed on through the dark, down from newby pass, arriving in Ingleton at 8:15pm. We checked into the hostel and went to then pub in search of food, who sadly weren't serving food anymore. After a trip to the co-op we feasted on pizza and garlic bread and well-earnt beers before retiring to our dorm rooms for some solid zeds. I can safely say that we will be avoiding any more night riding for the rest of the trip!