I had a late start today, partly because it was a Sunday, and partly because my warmshowers host in Shrewsbury couldn't meet until 6:30pm so I had plenty of time to get there.
Heading south out of Preston, I aimed for Wigan, trying to navigate the A and B roads out of town. After a few missed turns, I reached Wigan and stopped for a bite to eat. No rush today!
It was a sunny start to the day, but the clouds rolled in halfway through the day and the wind picked up a bit, making it a bit chilly later. Luckily, the sun came out again a couple of hours before I reached Shrewsbury.
Down through Warrington, the ride was a little hillier than I'd expected, with plenty of ups and downs, rather than a big up and big down as I'd been used to the past few days. The extra wind made it a bit more challenging, but I made it to Shrewsbury with plenty of time to spare. I headed for the park at the bottom of town and waited for Luc to get home.
Whilst I was waiting in the park, a man in a giraffe onesie came over to me to tell me he was on a 'random mission' and asked if I could take a photo of him on his phone. I obliged and he thanked me before heading on his way. I honestly have no idea what he was on about!
My host for tonight was a couple called Luc and Leah who I found using the warmshowers site. I met Luc outside the Wheatsheaf pub in town and whilst there entertained the locals with where I'd cycled from and where I was heading. They were impressed, but still called me a madman! One guy came over who apparently owned roughly 20 £10 bikes that he uses for getting the to pub, but then forgets where he's left them!
For dinner we headed to a small pub called the Coach and Horses for some delicious food and a local Shropshire ale. We chatted about touring and about Luc's upcoming tour round France and what he should take with him. A genuinely friendly and exciting couple, they seemed to know half the town on the walk back!
Tomorrows the long one, down to Bristol, so I've got to get up early. With the schools mostly going back tomorrow I hope I can avoid the parent drivers!
Miles today: 87.8
Total miles: 564.2
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