John O'Groats to Lands End

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JOGLE route - St. Helens to Prees (Whitchurch)

Day 14 of my end to end cycle ride

Cycling over Runcorn Bridge
Crossing Runcorn Bridge and into the Maze of Runcorn itself

I set off from St. Helens up some fairly busy roads and after asking a few people for directions, I found the B Road which would take me down to Runcorn Bridge and accross the River Mersey.

As soon as I entered Runcorn I could see it was a maze of Cycle Paths and Roads. I hadn't had Breakfast at the Hotel, so stopped to buy myself a Bacon Sandwich (I believe in a good healthy start!!). Confirmation that this was to be difficult navigation was when I asked two Taxi Drivers the best way to go for Frodsham one of them pointed to the left and the other to the right. After some discussion between them and fair enough I wasn't in a Car, they came to the conclusion that 'right' was best.

Well I have to say and in totally honesty - I was lost! With that happening and knowing I had arranged to meet up at a Forum Members House at 12 noon, I started to panic a bit (that means a lot of swearing). After upping and downing a few paths and being sent back a couple of times by Postmen I met, I took wind and just cycled down the dual carriageway for a mile and found myself in Frodsham.

From there it was Lanes and I spent a very nice accommodating90 minutes with Bollybarb and Mo before continuing on my way to Whitchurch, where I was sure to find a B&B quite easily.....not!

The problem was I was a bit behind my normal daily schedule and didn't arrive in Whitchurch until after the Tourist Information Centre had closed. Luckily they had a list of B&B's in their window and I phoned each one. Until I got to the very bottom of the list, every one was full. One last hope at Prees, which if there were a vacancy, would be in the right direction and a good start off point the following morning. They had a vacancy!

Although it would help me the next day, it meant another few miles on the day, it had been the first fairly hot day, I was done in!

The saving grace was it was a really delightful Bed and Breakfast run by two very nice people. I didn't have a Room, more 'a Wing' with bedroom overlooking a Cow Field to the front and another window facing the Chickens and Dovecote. Beside this, a separate Bathroom, separate Toilet and my own Sitting Room as well. I must say, one night didn't seem enough for me to enjoy this!

The Canal at Runcorn
The Canal at Runcorn


Meeting two Forum Members Bollybarb and Mo

B&B at Prees
A pleasant view from my B&B Window


The B&B - I had the North Wing!

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Schwalbe Marathon Plus
See at Amazon Co.Uk

!,200 miles on these tyres so far and still no punctures!

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Brooks Saddles

See them at Evans