Clitheroe, Lancashire

Windy, gray, damp start, but flat, route full of Sunday bicyclists not going my way as I head north across canals. Today's route goes between Liverpool and Manchester, but sadly no "ferry, cross the Mersey" (cue Gerry and the Pacemakers), just old bridge over the Manchester ship canal. Then busy roads and built up areas for 20 miles, and lose route detouring repaving project in center of Leigh. Eventually get on track, then route heads up hill into pretty moors. After summit down to reservoir and the Belmont Sailing Club, odd to see sailboats up high like this, blown about by gusting west wind.

Climb up again, then descend steeply, brakes start squealing again. Into valley, cross River Ribble twice, short ups and downs on way to Clitheroe, where sun comes out. At the Old Post Office hotel I work on bike, then get cleaned up to go climb up to castle in center of town, except now it's drizzling. So dinner and couple of ales,  raining harder when I leave restaurant but climb up anyway.

Back to hotel, checking nearby pubs for post blog final pint but they all seem to close at 9 on Sunday nights, so console myself back in room with hot chocolate and dark chocolate McVities digestive.