Day 10 - Preston to Stone - 12th June

Many miles, punctures and Bar-B-Que.

Follow our route and see where we have been by the following link, taken from Gavs garmin http://connect.garmin.com/activity/36587489

Following on from the last post after dinner last night, as mentioned yesterday was Owens Birthday. In true style, Princess had duly provided a cake and to celebrate for the remainder of the evening we all shared a carton of orange juice and exchanged pleasantries . Actually Tour Guide Toby took those of us that were still awake to see the highlights of Preston, and a grand job he did too.... Luckily, the old pubwatch posters have been removed, so Toby wasnt troubled through the evening.

Preston Station had kindly given up the recreation room for us for the night, and eventually everyone made it in, and turned in for the night. Some slightly later than others........

The first risers (Bob) were up at 5am (its an old age thing we think), and eventually everyone had surfaced by 7am. Luckily for us the station had no shouts in the night so we were left to slumber through.

Breakfast was another of Princess's feasts served up in the stations mess room, and as a little teaser for later, sausages were on the breakfast menu along with the usual spread of porridge, yoghurt's, fruit, cereal, croissants, etc.

Today we probably the first more challenging day for navigating more than anything else - first out of Preston, and then down through Wigan, Warrington on the A6, and then over to Stone, finishing at Staffordshire Fire HQ.

Everyone managed to get away fairly well after 9 after another of Bobs photo shoots. First amusement of the day once Andy and Julian had got all the vans manoeuvred and set up in the rear Yard, was Bob cycling back round - saying "where are you - we are doing it around the front...........!"

A selection of England flags were duly attached to various bikes and the vehicles to show our support!

The weather today was fine, and by lunchtime the point of sunburn. A much busier day on the roads, and a lot of built up area's but the main thing has to be the number of roundabouts and traffic light encountered, and how nearly every one was red!

Lunch was to be found in the car park of a pub at 37 mile mark - Lots of comments from the riders as to why it was so close to the start as we were doing 88 miles today! Suggestions that maybe having lunch before we left the station next time, were met with suitable retorts from Princess, however we know she will discipline the drivers later :) It was up to its usual standard

The remainder of the day after lunch was fairly uneventful for most, although Rosie decided that the best thing to eke out the day would be to have a puncture every 15 miles or so, resulting in three changes in the afternoon.

Some of the groups were spotted (Well it was a hot day) in a local hostelry on the way back, however Toby & Pete had the best result of the day with a free milkshake (and the offer of any other food we wanted) from a little cafe type shop in Nantwich. Having asked what we were doing so far from home, they insisted it was on the house and couldn't have done more. We highly recommend 'Fruitini' in Nantwich!

The final 50 miles although not exceptionally hilly, had some little climbs but the heat ended up making it a bit of a slog and a long ride. However the arrival at Staffs HQ for most around 5pm, to the sight of Julian setting up the Bar-B-Que set everyone up for the evening

A few cool drinks to complete the days ride, followed by a fantastic bar-b-que ensued, and we are now ensconced watching the footie in the restaurant at Staffs. A BIG thank you to Staffs Fire & Rescue who have actually put in a TV so we can watch it tonight.

Little mention has been made so far, but we should not forget Kev 'The Lunchbox' Dell and his Honda motorbike who has been patrolling the roads for us, fixing & repairing but more importantly offering a selection of goodies from his mobile lunchbox. Never has so much food been carried on a bike :)

Not to be outdone Julian Green has also been out and about on the local roads, and can often be seen in lay-bys with his camera out.......

We are still waiting to hear how much has been pledged to have Julian's moustached removed!