Saturday 3rd September Saddleworth to Malham

After a light breakfast we said our goodbyes and set off up the valley to Upper Mill in search of a bike shop (I lost my jacket somewhere in Kent and it might get cold soon!). The shop was closed so we pressed on through the mill towns, stopping for coffee at the picturesque town of Todmorden. It was also a chance to get a paper and catch up with news in the outside world. It's difficult to keep up with events when you're cycling all day and socialising in the evenings.

Needless to say there are lots of hills in that part of the world, as evidenced by this mountain goat I spotted,


and the road to Burnley was no exception. The railway kept diving in and out of tunnels.


There followed a long stint through suburbia, by which time it had started to rain, and we didn't get back out into the countryside until Earby, where we stopped for a late lunch with Don's sister Alison and her husband Ivan. By this time the rain was getting heavier, but we had done most of the miles for the day, and it was a relief to find that it was only 13 miles to go till Malham.

After crossing the Leeds Liverpool Canal,


we eventually rolled up at the hostel about 6.30, and spent a relaxing evening in the local pub (well both pubs actually) inflicting 60's, 70's and 80's tunes from the jukebox on the long suffering clientele. No one can resist joining in with American Pie after a couple of drinks, and anyone who denies it is a liar. Malham is full of hikers, bikers and day trippers. Reminded me of Wasdalehead. My clothes were all wet, but Don has waterproof panniers and proper mudguards and is insufferably smug.



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