Chasing to Chesterfield

Raining early on. Rain at seven sun by eleven we hoped.   Today we say goodbye to Stoke Golding and the Ashby Boat Company. What a fantastic bunch of people there.  The cottage has been a wonderful place for us to rebuild our strength ready for the push to the north.   The concert on Friday night had gone really well. Moral was high.   Packing up the gear again after spreading everything out is never easy.  A quiet morning followed by a brunch in preparation for the ride up to Chesterfield.   We pulled out at just after 14.00 after being told by a chap from Chesterfield that we could expect a two mile long hill at the end of our route. Deep joy! That was something to look forward to.    Legs were fresh. Through Castle Donnington and with a reasonably flat terrain we made steady uninterrupted progress. Very little open countryside on route as we peddle through the outskirts of Nottingham via Sandiacre, Ilkeston and Heanor. Plenty of room for a makeover in these parts. Bradley Durrant, fully loaded, making it up the hills with gritty determination.  A couple of breaks are required.  Vitamin C and chocolate on the menu. The undulating landscape has evolved into a region of more hills as we enter Derbyshire.  Together they pose less of a threat to progress as our legs have become fitter and able to endure the long pushes uphill.  Spirits on the Durrant tour remain high even when we hit a road block and are forced to retrace our steps and find a route around.  No complaints from Wiggins here, head down, keep calm and carry on! What a trouper.  At no point did the bikes misbehave.  No Basil Fawlty moments!     Near the Ibis hotel just after 19.00  and indeed the hill is there.     Slowly but surely and with energy in reserve we make it to the hotel.  44 miles under our belts and a tour total of 669 miles. We are allowed to put the bikes in the conference room, very kind.  Tonight we are sharing facilities for the first time!   I feel honoured to be invited to share the artiste's  luxury twin room.  This does not normally happen.  I am sure Mr. Clapton does not share his hotel room with a flunky.  This is the first time we have shared since touring in Paraquay back in 2012. Facilities here are much better. A wash and brush up. Dinner is a subdued affair as the beer is just not up to standard in the next door pub or the hotel.  I have little success in keeping the drink at arms length.  A light bite. Back to the room to work on another video blog.  No rest on this tour.  I am finally allowed to take to my bed at 11.00   Sleep well.