If there is such a thing as an ‘easy’ day on the Babble Ride Across Britain, then today’s relatively flat stage through the Midlands was it. But four days in, nothing is easy.
Still, with ‘only’ a few thousand feet of climbing to take in, riders were in good spirits as they zipped up the country, despite strong headwinds and occasionally drizzly conditions.
Today’s route saw riders navigate a few steep climbs through Shropshire before descending onto the Cheshire Plain – a large, mostly flat expanse on the border of England and North Wales. Whilst relatively non-scenic in comparison to the rest of the Babble Ride Across Britain, the lack of hills was a welcome relief to riders who have spent the last few days grinding up and flying down steep slopes.
That relief may be short-lived, however, as tomorrow the peloton pushes north, where the route’s biggest climbs lie waiting. Starting tomorrow with the mighty Shap Fell in Cumbria.
At pitstop one today, riders were treated to cupcakes and encouragement from Macmillan Cancer Support, one of our Gold Charity partners. Macmillan’s riders are taking on the Babble Ride Across Britain to help everyone with cancer live life as fully as they can via Macmillan’s physical, financial, and emotional support.
One of the truly remarkable things about riding the length of Britain is just how quickly the South West gives way to the North. As the peloton pulled into Haydock Racecourse this afternoon, nestled between the greater northern cities of Liverpool and Manchester, it’s hard to believe it was only yesterday morning that the ride left Bath!
